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Southern Colorado Harm Reduction (SCARA) outlines services, neighborhood concerns at council hearing
Summary
SCARA leaders and clients briefed the council on Aug. 18 about services including syringe exchange, showers, clothing bank, AccuDetox, reentry wages housing and jail programming. Presenters acknowledged neighborhood needle litter concerns and said staff will start community cleanup patrols and outreach to schools.
Laurie Stalser, interim executive director of Southern Colorado Harm Reduction (SCARA), and program staff described the nonprofit’s wellness center and harm-reduction services to the Pueblo City Council on Aug. 18, 2025, and answered questions from council members and neighbors.
Stalser introduced programs that operate at SCARA’s Northern–Abriendo wellness center, including syringe access, showers, a clothing bank, a digital lab for job search support, an LGBTQ youth resource day, AccuDetox ear-needle therapy for withdrawal and anxiety, and WAGES (Work, Gain, Education, Employment, Skills), a reentry and transitional housing program. Program director Erica Beverly described outreach to landlords and employers, a LEAF jail class offering pre-release planning, and clothing and shower services that she said serve 25–30 people on busy days. Tara Rodriguez described the WAGES transitional house (typically nine to 12 months, six beds, three HSP-funded beds) and incentive supports for people leaving correctional facilities.
Crystal Archuleta, a client who credited SCARA with helping her enter recovery and find sober living with her daughter in late 2022, spoke in support of the center and urged the council to preserve the service in Bessemer.
Multiple council members and residents raised concerns about public needle litter and the center’s proximity to schools and businesses. Councilor Latino and others said they hear reports of discarded syringes near Bradford Elementary and along Northern Avenue; a speaker asked for assurances that children will not be exposed to service users.
SCARA staff acknowledged the problem and described immediate steps. Stalser said the organization will begin visible neighborhood cleanups on days of syringe services, outfit staff in reflective vests, and coordinate with AccessPoint and schools; staff also said they plan to expand outreach and partner with other providers. Erica Beverly said SCARA distributes sharps containers and asks clients to return used syringes; she also said exchange is not strictly 1:1 and that SCARA provides disposal containers.
Council discussion focused on neighborhood impacts, program location, and partnerships: council members asked about partnerships with District 60 schools, county contributions, and whether the center’s activities reduce recidivism. SCARA representatives said they are pursuing grants (including Colorado Lottery and local funders), have a grant writer on staff, partner with CSU Pueblo and VivaT Health for navigation and testing, and are exploring food partnerships to stand up more community food access.
No ordinance or funding decision was made. Council members encouraged further community engagement and suggested possible compromises on service delivery and siting; councilors asked staff to continue coordination with police, schools and neighborhood stakeholders.
