COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — A couple of weeks ago, when temperatures dropped below zero, multiple organizations, that had never operated as shelters, opened their doors to the homeless, highlighting the need for more shelter options.
The Chinook Center, a progressive, mission-driven community space in Colorado Springs, was one of those organizations. It had never operated as a shelter before but decided to open out of necessity.
“We were, like everyone else, really surprised that there weren’t other city warming shelters opening up,” said Samantha Christiansen, an executive leader of the Chinook Center. “It was presented to us, as a matter of this is something people don’t have anywhere to go. Lives are at risk.”
In the first city council meeting Tuesday since the cold weather, dozens of people from the homeless community criticized the city for its response to the situation and the lack of diverse shelter options.
“When you go to bed at night and you lay down and are nice and warm, remember that man in the street,” said a person experiencing homelessness. “Remember that woman in the street. Remember that that is a heartbeat.”