DENVER (KDVR) Two people were found dead early Monday morning in a drainage tunnel in Fort Collins.

According to a release, the Fort Collins Police Services received a 911 call at 3:30 a.m. reporting the incident in the 3400 block of South College Avenue.

When officers arrived, they found the two people dead inside a tent that had been set up inside the tunnel. Police believe they had crawled under safety gates to get inside the tunnel.

The two people had previously been contacted by the city’s homeless outreach program, HOPE, which shared a reminder about the resources available to those in need.

“Our city is committed to safeguarding the public, which is why safety barriers and access restrictions like the ones at the tunnel are in place. These measures are designed to protect against both known and unforeseen hazards,” said FCPS Assistant Chief of Special Operations Kristy Volesky, who oversees the HOPE team. “We are sorry for the loss of these two and urge everyone to respect these barriers, remembering that there are shelter resources available throughout the city there is no need to risk your safety by seeking outdoor shelter in the winter elements.”

Because of the nature of the response, temporary lane closures were in place on South College Avenue while first responders were in the area but it has since fully reopened.

FOX31’s Vicente Arenas spoke with a person who identified himself as a friend of the two people who died. He said one of them was well-known in the community for helping other homeless people, even though he was unhoused himself.

The person asked not to be identified and said there is a big need for additional services for the homeless in Fort Collins.

In December 2023, Arenas toured a drainage ditch tunnel where an encampment had been set up. In the story, he saw what appeared to be several spaces where people were living. There was a lot of trash and what appeared to be hazardous waste. Fort Collins Police Services was working on trying to get tunnels cleared of homeless people at that time.