Crossroads’ Turning Points is planning construction of an inpatient medical, mental health and substance abuse treatment facility, which will be located at 355 E. Spaulding Ave. (map).
Numerous residents have voiced concerns to the Pueblo West Metropolitan District about the nature of this planned facility. However, the Pueblo West Metropolitan District is a government of limited powers. The District does not presently have comprehensive planning and zoning authority, even for lands within the District. Rather, that function is handled by Pueblo County.
The authority of the Metro District is limited to consideration of new water tap requests and application review by the Metro District Committee of Architecture, which is limited to aesthetic purposes only. The Committee’s consideration does not extend to planning, zoning or use of a property. The Pueblo County Planning Commission has that authority, subject to review by the County Commissioners.
The Metro District has requested Crossroads’ Turning Points provide details about the intended use of its planned facility. In the interest of transparency, Crossroads’ Turning Points has provided the following assurances to the Metro District and residents:
- The planned facility will operate solely as an inpatient medical, mental health and substance abuse treatment facility in a controlled, secure environment.
- Patients would not be allowed to roam freely around the surrounding neighborhood at any time.
- The facility will not offer walk-in services. All patients would be admitted only following a referral and assessment process.
- Discharged patients will not be allowed to simply “walk out” of the facility. All patients must have pre-arranged transportation upon leaving the facility.
- The facility will not be a methadone clinic, a needle exchange, an overdose prevention center, an outpatient clinic, a recovery residence, or a homeless shelter.
- Crossroads’ Turning Points has provided the Metro District with a detailed presentation about its plans and its benefits. This presentation is available on the Metro District website in PDF format.
On Jan. 11, 2022, the Pueblo County Planning Commission unanimously granted Crossroads’ Turning Points a special use permit to construct a treatment facility on its property located at 355 E. Spaulding Ave. According to the language in the resolution passed by the Planning Commission, the special use was classified as a “halfway house.” However, this term is a catch-all definition in County zoning ordinances under which treatment facilities fall.
Crossroads’ Turning Points has assured the Metro District that the planned facility will not be a halfway house, nor will it ever operate as a halfway house. Instead, the facility will operate as an inpatient facility only.
In addition to Pueblo County’s planning and zoning jurisdiction, Pueblo County requires Crossroads:
- obtain a license from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
- obtain site plan drawings approved by the Pueblo Regional Building Department
- obtain an off-street parking plan (including lighting) approved by the County
- comply with all federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
The Metro District is only authorized to provide four services to the Pueblo West community – limited covenant enforcement, fire protection, parks and recreation, and water and wastewater utilities. The Metro District appreciates ongoing input from residents about this issue as well as the assurances provided by Crossroads’ Turning Points. We will always work within our limits as a special district to serve the evolving needs of our stakeholders to the best of our ability.
