On March 10, 2026, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office received reports of a homeless encampment near mile marker 297 along U.S. Highway 24, between Manitou Springs and Green Mountain Falls in unincorporated El Paso County.
Area residents reported signs of illegal camping, including large amounts of trash being dumped near the encampment. One resident also reported the individuals associated with the camp had repeatedly trespassed onto private property.
Deputies responded to the area the following day but did not locate anyone at the campsite. Notices to “vacate” were posted throughout the encampment area, along with information about available community resources for individuals experiencing homelessness.
On March 25, 2026, El Paso County Code Enforcement returned to the location with its contractor, Junk King, to clean and restore the remote wilderness area. Due to the possibility the encampment could still be occupied, deputies responded to assist Code Enforcement personnel.
During the cleanup effort, crews discovered an additional man-made structure made of tree limbs, along with additional evidence of illegal camping at an adjacent plateau. The operation removed enough trash and debris to fill a small roll-off dumpster.
“These illegal encampments continue to create safety concerns for our residents and contribute to the pollution of the Pikes Peak region,” said El Paso County Sheriff Joseph Roybal. “My office will continue to monitor these areas and take appropriate action to keep our community safe while preserving the natural beauty of our lands.”
