(EL PASO COUNTY, Colo.) — The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office (EPSO), in collaboration with the El Paso County Code Enforcement Unit, recently cleaned up an encampment along the East Fork Sand Creek near Highway 24.

According to EPSO, law enforcement has been actively monitoring a growing homeless encampment along East Fork Sand Creek, near Highway 24 and Peterson Road in unincorporated El Paso County. Following an assessment of the area, four individual camps were contacted, and notices to vacate were posted.

EPSO said before the cleanup proceeded, two people were contacted at the site and informed that they were trespassing on private property and provided information on community organizations that offer resources and support.

On Tuesday, April 8, at around 9:30 a.m., EPSO supported cleanup crews from “Keep Colorado Springs Beautiful” as restoration efforts began.

“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.”

Due to the volume of debris and environmental impact, EPSO said the operation took two days to complete.