Overgrown weed complaints soaring in Pueblo

The recent rain is creating a pesky problem — properties with high weeds.

The city’s code enforcement manager has received more than 600 calls this year from people complaining about overgrown weeds, that exceeds the 256 weed complaints filed last year.

“We have a lot of property owners who just — I’m not sure if they’ve forgotten what their responsibilities to the property are,” said Code Enforcement Manager Karen Willson.

Weed whackers are hard at work, after a rainy May, clearing out lots across the city, including the property across the street from Kerrelyn Trent. She prides herself on maintaining a freshly manicured lawn.

“If I see something that’s pretty, be it flowers, trees, or the inside of my house — it makes me feel good for the day,” Trent said.

She’s called the city repeatedly to complain about the growing eyesore.

“It makes you a combination of angry, sad for what it says about the city,” Trent said.

City code states that weeds cannot surpass 10 inches. When the city gets a complaint about a property, Willson said code enforcement officers visit the property and issue a notice of violation to the property owner or tenant if they’re in violation. The owner then has 10 days to cut and remove the weeds. If they don’t, they’ll be issued a summons to municipal court which could result in a $1,000 fine or a year in jail.

A lien could also be put on the property while abatement work is done.

For Trent, maintaining her property is about having pride in her neighborhood.

“When someone lets their house, their yard go down, it tends to drag down a neighborhood,” she said.

To report a weed complaint, call the city at 719-553-2592