Time is up for tenants living in condemned apartments

Time is up for people living in bug-infested and condemned apartments in Pueblo.

The city gave the tenants until 5 p.m. Wednesday to get out, after finding several units infested with roaches and bedbugs. Some apartments also had sewage leaks. The city condemned two of the three buildings at 1108 W. 14th St.

KRDO NewsChannel 13 first reported on the conditions on Monday, and followed up with tenants on Wednesday to see if they had a place to live.

At least three families didn’t beat the city’s deadline to leave, but told KRDO NewsChannel 13 they plan on being out of there by Thursday at the latest, and already have a place to go to.

“A lady seen us on the news and she’s working with us. It’s a 30-day, temporary solution to our problem,” said Michael Trumann, whose wife is four months pregnant.

His next-door neighbor, who’s nearly bedridden with multiple sclerosis, is still securing a place to live. She’s working with Posada, a homeless organization.

“I definitely don’t want to be on the streets in a wheelchair,” said Alesa Willis-Gallentine.

The executive director of Posada went door-to-door Wednesday morning, handing out information — making sure tenants, like Willis-Gallentine — have a place to stay.

“She won’t be homeless tonight. We’ll make sure of that if need be. We’ll try to come up with a disabled unit in a motel room somewhere in Pueblo,” said Anne Stattleman, Posada’s executive director.

The co-landlord, Darla Ewing, plans to fix the apartments and then rent them out again, but most tenants told KRDO NewsChannel 13 she should not be given another chance.

“One hundred and eight violations just in two buildings at this time. It’s a little ridiculous,” Trumann said.

Willis-Galentine said, “I want to live like a human again.”

The two landlords, Darla Ewing and her son Gregory Ewing, could face a $1,000 fine and/or a year in jail for each of the 108 code violations.