Special Reports

In their home: "This is a long-term plan"

Ray, 56

JOHN C. ENSSLIN

You could pass by the camp at South 8th Street and Cimarron Avenue every day and not know it’s there. But tucked away on the south bank of Fountain Creek, down a steep dirt and gravel path where you need to grab branches to let yourself... Full story

In their home: "Residentially challenged"

Della Winkler, 48

BILL REED

Della Winkler was born and raised in Colorado Springs. She said her problems started early in a troubled home and she dropped out of high school, calling herself “a child of crisis.” Although she’s held down some jobs for a while,... Full story

In their home: "I prefer it this way"

Alvin “Tramp” King, 53

Alvin “Tramp” King has been camping for 15 years “up and down the cricks,” he says, and he readily admits he’s homeless by choice. “I prefer it this way. I have no obligations except to take care of myself and... Full story

In their home: A poem

"Life in the Meadow," a poem by "Miss Kitty"

“Life in the Meadow”   The days around here come and go, Wintertime brings about the snow, The winds blow hard with all their might, But I’m safe in here just like every night, Good friends are always around,... Full story

In their home: A view of the stars

Robert Hardin, 50

LINDA NAVARRO

Robert Hardin usually has a big smile on his face, especially when he talks about the sky. The Army veteran, who lives in a camp with several other vets, has three telescopes, reads "Star Trek" novels as he sits beside the fire pit, and dreams of... Full story

In their home: Hoping for work

Charles Henry Demers, 48

MARK BARNA

Charles Henry Demers, 48, has been homeless for three months. A Colorado Springs resident for 10 years, Demers had been living in an apartment and working as a day laborer. But work dried up and he couldn’t pay rent. He’s now living in a... Full story

In their home: Less stress outdoors

"Miss Kitty" H., 41

"Miss Kittly" lost her home after a divorce, and lingering physical problems from an illness prevent her from working. Her immediate goal is to get Social Security disability and move out of the camps. For now, she spends most of her time at the... Full story

In their home: No responsibility, and almost no teeth

Gerald Weissert, 38

Gerald Weissert said he “quite enjoys being homeless,” and chalks it up to having more of a fear of responsibility. “Since I’ve been here, all the stress is gone.” He said he doesn’t drink alcohol, but smokes... Full story

In their home: The future unknown

Rex “Wolfe” Thompson, 55

MARK BARNA

Rex “Wolfe” Thompson, 55, says he’s been homeless for 39 years. For the last three months, Thompson has lived in a tent at the 13-tent encampment behind Kwiki car wash and the Sonic fast-food eatery, which are along West... Full story

In their home: Tired of the cold

Mike Peterson, 44

MARK BARNA

Mike Peterson, 44, has been homeless since last summer. He’s lived in Colorado Springs for 12 years. He was vague on how he became homeless, only saying he went through a bad divorce about 18 months ago. Peterson lives in a tent behind Sonic... Full story

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