Weld County orders cleanup, inspection of Hill and Park property after repeated code complaints

The Weld County Board of Commissioners on a motion by Commissioner Ross, seconded by Commissioner Maxey, ordered the owner of 4223 Grand Teton Road to remove all trash from the property within 10 days and to allow county staff to inspect and abate dangerous structures. The board approved the resolution by voice vote.

Assistant County Attorney Adria Schiel and Code Compliance officer Cynthia Villanueva told the board the property has generated recurring complaints for several years. Schiel said the site shows evidence of a non-commercial junkyard, derelict vehicles, sheds used for occupancy and a mobile home without permitted electrical and sanitation systems after a prior fire. “This property we have been receiving multiple complaints on over, the past few years,” Schiel said.

Villanueva said code staff receives frequent complaints: “I can honestly tell you that I receive at least 3 to 4 complaints a week on this property.” Staff obtained photographs from adjacent lots showing heavy trash accumulation, sheds with window air-conditioning units and extension cords run to the mobile home. Public Health staff accompanied code inspectors to the site for the August visit, Schiel said.

Schiel told the board county staff has posted notice to the property owner, identified in county records as Steven Wood, and has not received required follow-up. The county asked the board to order abatement and to authorize staff, if the owner does not comply, to seek district court approval to fence the property and bar further habitation.

Schiel said court action is often required because people occupy structures on the property; the legal process can take weeks. The county also noted the parcel is set for a public tax-auction in January for unpaid taxes.

The board approved the staff request directing Mr. Wood to remove trash within 10 days and to allow building and public-health inspections of the mobile home and outbuildings; if the owner fails to act the county will seek judicial authorization for further abatement measures.