Housing the homeless

Rhonda and Mike Schirado have owned Prospectors RV Resort in Canon City for 7 years. Each winter they quietly house Canon City’s homeless population in their cabins and RV spots. Last year they were asked to help with an Emergency Housing project requested by Canon City Council representative Ashley Smith. Prospectors agreed, and housed 25 families.  The Schirado’s only issue was they needed help with the electricity bill through Black Hills Energy. The electric bill grew to $35,000 and unfortunately was not paid with any assistance from City or County funds. Although newly elected Mayor Ashley Smith’s project had great impact and came from the best of intentions, the Schirado’s have been carrying this balance and doing their best to continue to pay Black Hills for the past year all on their own.

Rhonda Latka with Black Hills Energy was working with the campground and the agreement they had was that as long as the bill stayed under $50,000 they would NOT turn the electricity off. Early last week Rhonda Latka advised that $25,000 was needed to keep the electricity on. The Schirado’s scrambled to find help and came up with $10,000. Black Hills only turned on 4 cabins. Black Hills refuses to work with the campground until the remaining $15,000 is paid.

 Prospectors RV Resort currently houses 79 people including 10 children, 8 elderly, 3 people on oxygen, and 1 person on dialysis. These 79 people are without heat and water with a blizzard coming in and Thanksgiving around the corner.

The average electricity bill at the campground is between $4,000 - $10,000 per month. It is so high that the campground has always struggled to pay the rates. If Black Hills doesn’t do something about their additional fees, another small business will fold in Canon City.

Prospectors has set up a GoFundMe account to help pay the Black Hills Energy bill.

 

Rhonda and Mike Schirado

Prospectors RV Resort

43595 US Hwy 50 W

Canon City CO 81212