Health Hazards Cited In Sand Creek Area Homeless Camp Cleanup

DENVER (CBS4)- Health hazards and public right-of-way access are some of the reasons that a homeless camp in the Sand Creek Area is being removed. People are living in the camp near Interstate 270 and Interstate 70 near Northfield in Denver.

"The city came out and said you got to go," one man told CBS4, who was helping to clean up his friend's camp. "They're moving us out when it's subzero. It's hard to get everything done on their timeline, but they're being decent about it."

Denver Public Health & Environment officials are concerned about the public and environmental health risks due to litter, human waste and other biohazards.

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"There is a wide range of litter, trash, hazardous items that people could hurt themselves on or be exposed to," explained Bob McDonald, the Executive Director of Denver Departments of Public Health and Environment. "And a wide range of different kind of waste that needs to be cleaned up."

Crews arrived in the area near I-270, I-70, Quebec and Sand Creek Drive near 49th and 47th Avenue on Wednesday morning. The health department will work with the Colorado Department of Transportation to clean up the area, starting on Feb. 18.

"There are a lot of items like human waste, drug paraphenlia, needles, and we'll be monitoring for rodent infestation after we clean up that area," McDonald said. "When we see these conditions whether it's the result of an encampment or something else, we need to act on it."

The city hopes by alerting the homeless that the area is now closed, they will have time to get out before the cleanup begins. They added that personal property will be stored free of charge for up to 60 days. Items left behind will be disposed of.

Items that will not be stored include those that pose a health risk, such as illegal drugs, used syringes, food, trash, mattresses, pillows, mats, items soiled with human or animal waste.

Those who are living in the area will be connected to counselors and services available to those experiencing homelessness.