REGINA, Colo. (KRDO) – City officials appear to have received complaints about a short-term recreational vehicle camp on the grounds of the Norris Penrose Event Center.
It is estimated that around 25 RV owners pay to park on the property and connect to electrical outlets that are normally reserved for attendees in the annual Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo.
Residents moved to the property after the rodeo was canceled this summer due to the pandemic and the city and event center were looking for a way to generate revenue for the center.
The solution was to help RV owners who couldn’t find space in other camps, even though the area was not intended for use in the camp.
“It should only be temporary for events, for times when workers are there for months, but never a permanent RV facility,” said City Council President Richard Skorman.
RV owner Rob DeJong moved into the makeshift camp two months ago.
“It’s hard to find a place here in town,” he said. “We work hard ten hours a day, five days a week. It’s just hard to find good accommodation.”
The mobile homes are in a valley along a stream that runs through the property. There are no houses in the immediate vicinity and for most people – especially at night – the RVs are difficult to see.
However, part of the Lower Skyway neighborhood overlooks the area, and a bike / hiking trail runs parallel to the creek and camp. Some RV owners believe that nearby homeowners and hikers have complained that the camp has been there too long and is a thorn in the side.
Other RV owners fear that unwanted attention from the controversy will put pressure on the city and center to evict them.
However, the centre’s general manager Kyle Parks said RV owners have until April 1 before they need to find other places to live.
“Then we expect to be able to work normally again,” he said.
DeJong said he is currently trying to buy a free package and let the current campers move there.
The city originally said the camp could exist until May, Skorman said, but that the property’s nonprofit owner wants them to move out before then.
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