In collaboration with the El Paso County Code Enforcement Unit, the El Paso County Sheriff's Office has been actively monitoring a growing homeless encampment along the East Fork of Sand Creek near Highway 24 and Peterson Road in unincorporated El Paso County.

Following an ongoing assessment of the area, four individual camps were contacted, and notices to vacate were posted. The notices included clear details about the scheduled cleanup date and time.

Before the operation, one male and one female were contacted at the site. They were informed they were trespassing on private property and were provided with information on local community organizations which offer resources and support services.

On the morning of April 8, beginning at approximately 9:30 a.m., the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office supported cleanup crews from “Keep Colorado Springs Beautiful” as they began the restoration effort.

“Operations such as this are essential for the safety and well-being of our community,” said El Paso County Sheriff Joseph Roybal. “During these well-organized events, my deputies and local partners restore private property rights, ensure environmental clean-up efforts, and offer valuable, immediate resources to those in need.

“I thank our partners at Code Enforcement, Keep Colorado Springs Beautiful, and my deputies for their continued efforts to ensure the rights of our citizens are protected, and the natural beauty of the Pikes Peak region is maintained.”

Due to the volume of debris and environmental impact, the operation required two full days to complete, after which the area was fully cleared and restored.