Cracking down on illegal dumping in Pueblo

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) -- Pueblo Public Health officials are working to put the lid on illegal dumping, as people who live in the city and county continue to complain about the growing problem.

The Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment has announced a new staff position to find and enforce the cleanup of illegal dumpsites throughout the City and County of Pueblo - in addition to the county's current Trash Task Force.

"This position dedicates a staff member to find areas in the City and County of Pueblo where illegal dumping occurs and identify who dumped the waste to process the individual through the court system," Randy Evetts, Public Health Director at the Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment, said in a statement.

The department has appointed Environmental Health specialist Ryan Tessman to the position, according to the Pueblo City/County Trash Task Force Facebook page.

KRDO crews met up with Tessman while he and his team cleaned up a site off Eagleridge Drive on Thursday.

"I think the issue's been rampant in Pueblo as long as it’s been around," he said.

Tessman told us he joined the force to really make a difference.

Along with cleaning up the mess by hand, he and his team will install cameras to help find the culprits.

And, "[We'll] go through any illegal dumping we find to see if there’s any evidence of names, addresses, personal information that we can use to track down the perpetrators," Tessman explained.

Jacque Evans moved into her apartment off Eagleridge around a year ago. She says the problem there has grown exponentially in recent months.

"A little bit of trash here and there when we first started walking over there in the field. Then it just started building up and up, and you’d see furniture, and then you started seeing more mattresses, and then you started seeing appliances," she said.

Evans said it got so bad, she changed her routine.

“It gets to the point where you’re stepping over all the trash, you’re worried about what your dog might get ahold of. It wasn’t worth it anymore so we stopped going over there.”

If all goes well, and this new effort keeps the illegal dump sites clean, Evans is convinced this could help change the city's reputation.

"I hope people can get rid of the 'oh it’s Pueblo, what do you expect?' attitude because this is a really great place. A lot of friendly people, and I love it down here," she said.

"A cleaner, healthier community is the goal of the Health Department as we strive to promote the health and protect the environment for Pueblo County," Evetts said.

The Public Health Department is funding the new position in partnership with the City of Pueblo and Pueblo County.

For a one-time report of waste in the County of Pueblo, call the Department of Public Health and Environment at 719-583-4307.

To report ongoing dumping in the city or county, call the Illegal Dumping Hotline at 719-583-4323.