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Tenants and organizers press council over eviction notices; housing staff says eviction was canceled
Summary
Tenants and advocates confronted council about an attempted eviction notice against a public‑housing tenant leader; city housing staff reported the eviction notice was rescinded after required documentation was submitted.
Multiple tenants and organizers used the May 13 council meeting’s public‑comment period to press the council and the Colorado Springs Housing Authority over eviction notices issued to tenant leaders, including a high‑profile case involving tenant organizer Betty Field.
Field and several residents described aggressive management practices and said an eviction notice was placed on her door after a dispute over a reasonable‑accommodation request. Field told the council she had submitted medical documentation supporting a request for a live‑in aide; she said the paperwork had been submitted but that she nonetheless received a denial letter and an eviction notice mailed and posted on the same day.
Amy Cox, the city’s chief housing and homelessness officer and a housing authority commissioner, told council staff had reviewed the matter and that the eviction notice had been canceled after the required paperwork was submitted in the format needed. “The proper documents were submitted and the eviction has been canceled,” Cox said. She offered to have housing authority oversight and the commission review the case and to pursue any procedural improvements.
Organizers and tenant residents urged broader reforms: improved communications with tenants, better procedures for administrative reviews, and stronger safeguards against perceived retaliation when residents organize. Several speakers said tenants were reluctant to organize because of fear of eviction. Will Smith, a tenant organizer, said the eviction notice felt like “the final straw” and urged the mayor’s office and commissioners to investigate tenant‑management communications and retaliation concerns.
Council members noted the city’s limited direct authority over the housing authority — the mayor appoints housing authority commissioners with council confirmation — but said they would follow up. Council staff and the housing office said the matter would be reviewed at upcoming meetings and that staff would follow up with tenants.
