Part Two: Defending Colorado Springs Together
CST created momentum for recovery
As a resident of Mountain Shadows the Sunday article was insulting. First and foremost, people like Bob Cutter, Jim Johnson and the entire Colorado Springs Together (CST) team deserve much credit for stepping up and leading the recovery effort in my neighborhood.
As a resident of Mountain Shadows the dark and depressing days of driving by homes destroyed has been replaced with hope thanks to the efforts of CST. There is no toxic debris from downed homes left in the neighborhood. 213 homes out of 347 are either rebuilt or in the process of being so. That alone is a monumental success that no other community that suffered through a similar disaster can even approach. CST also supported residents with mental health services, insurance advice, flood mitigation and information, security, long-term recovery, etc. It has created momentum for us to continue with our long restoration process.
CST's mission continues to be to make Mountain Shadows an even great neighborhood than it was before the fire. Just because the community center has closed doesn't mean CST is gone. The truth of the matter is CST is hard at work on three major recovery projects to meet their mission: park renovation, art auction and memorial. The long-term recovery process for Mountain Shadows will require the neighbors of Mountain Shadows to do more. I thank Bob Cutter, Jim Johnson and the entire CST team for giving me and most of my neighbors hope and the strength to continue our restoration.
Eddie Hurt, Mountain Shadows Community Association
Colorado Springs
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