EL PASO COUNTY, COLO. -- Just a few months after the city of Colorado Springs put into effect its homeless camping ban, El Paso County follows suit with an ordinance of its own.
County commissioners passed the ordinance last month after they received complaints from homeowners and businesses in the county, that some of the city's homeless campers had moved into their neighborhoods.
The camping ban took effect Tuesday.
County commissioners said their ordinance is going to be similar to that of Colorado Springs.
"We did it to closely mirror and make a consistent ordinance throughout the community, and to make it easier for law enforcement to enforce," County Commissioner Sally Clark said.
Even though Tuesday was the first official day for the ordinance, Clark said the county has already been reaching out to homeless campers to find them a place to relocate.
"We gave them ample time to move, and have been working with Homeward Pikes Peak and other agencies in order to make sure they have lodging, or even a job," Clark said.
Officials with the El Paso County Sheriff's Office said they too have been working to educate homeless campers about their options.
Sheriff Terry Maketa said he does not anticipate having to ticket anyone.
"Right now I do not see it as an overwhelming problem, but the education that has taken place and the fact that we have a resolution or ordinance in place that is consistent with the city, we have the ability to stop it before it becomes a huge problem," Maketa said.
If camping does become an issue, Maketa said warnings and citations will be issued, and property could be confiscated.
"I do not anticipate it rising to that level, there are plenty of resources in the county and we will be notifying campers of those resources," Maketa said.
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