Walsenburg is leaning on its neighbors after a major water main break pushed the town under a disaster declaration and a boil-water advisory. To help residents get through the mess, hot showers are being opened at Lathrop State Park and the Piñon Campground at no cost, on a reservation-only basis, while crews work to restore safe drinking water.
According to CBS Colorado, the city reported that the main failed around 2 a.m. on Friday. Since then, crews have been working with Huerfano County and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to track down and repair the leak. Workers have routed water around the break with a smaller pipe to get at least some pressure back into the system, but officials have not given a timeline for when full service will be restored.
Speaking to CBS Colorado, Lathrop Park Manager Daryl Seder called the move an easy yes for staff: “These are our friends and neighbors, and this is a small way we can help the community recover.” Colorado Parks and Wildlife says showers at the Piñon Campground are now open by reservation, with county staff scheduling 30-minute time slots. Each facility has two showers available, and residents are asked to bring their own toiletries and towels.
How to reserve a shower
County staff is handling phone reservations for 30-minute shower slots through 8 p.m., with more openings scheduled on Monday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Residents can call Huerfano County at (719) 738‑3000 to be directed to the booking line, and should arrive with their own shower supplies. Park facilities at Lathrop typically offer paid showers in the Piñon Campground, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, but CPW says they are waiving fees for residents affected by the outage.
Where to get drinking water and health guidance
To cover the basics while the system is under repair, Huerfano County has set up drinking water and hand sanitizer distribution at the community center. A non-potable water truck is parked in the center’s west lot for toilet flushing. Park rangers and local law enforcement are helping manage traffic at the distribution site. Residents are urged to follow boil-water guidance from the Las Animas‑Huerfano Counties District Health Department, which lays out safe boiling methods and alternative drinking-water options on its website.
