Fort Collins resident urges rewrite of trespass rules, seeks housing help

A Fort Collins resident told the Larimer County Board of County Commissioners on Jan. 28 that he wants county leaders to address trespassing laws and housing affordability after repeated removals from private property.

Patrick Erickson, who gave public comment during the board’s administrative matters meeting, said he has experienced enforcement that he described as overly broad and has been asked to leave several stores and properties. He also said he has been living on the streets about eight years and that high rents and upfront move-in costs prevent him from obtaining stable housing.

Erickson said he sells items in parking lots after people leave stores and that he does not approach people entering stores. He also suggested the county consider “set prices” for studio and one- and two-bedroom units to make housing more affordable, saying rents he sees range from about $1,000 to $1,800 for one bedrooms.

Commissioner Jody Shattuck McNally and Commissioner John Kefalas responded to Erickson’s remarks, noting that trespassing and enforcement rules are primarily municipal issues under Fort Collins’ jurisdiction. Shattuck McNally said the county could coordinate with city officials and connect Erickson to housing and services. Kefalas mentioned the Northern Colorado Continuum of Care and his planned participation in a Fort Collins Police Services HOPE team walk that would include outreach staff.

Commissioner Kristen Stevens and other commissioners advised Erickson to contact the Murphy Center for services; Stevens said the center might help with employment, housing connections or places to sell items, such as flea markets. Stevens thanked Erickson for speaking and encouraged him to provide his contact information to county management so staff can follow up.

The board took no action on the matter during the meeting; the comments were part of the public comment period at the start of the administrative meeting.