The Pueblo West Fire Department and district staff briefed the board on implementation of a vegetative-fuels mitigation program enabled by recently passed state legislation and a district resolution and bylaws adopted June 24.

Fire Chief Brian Kacerta summarized the district’s authority, saying the new law and the district’s bylaws establish a process for identifying hazardous vegetation, notifying property owners and, if necessary, conducting mitigation work and recovering costs. Chief Kacerta told the board the state bill that enables the authority was signed by the governor and “takes effect on 08/07/2025,” but noted the 90‑day post‑adjournment effective-date rule requires staff to follow the district’s notice and cure process for complaints received now. He outlined the district’s enforcement sequence: an initial notice, a second 14‑day notice and then, after required steps and due process, the district may abate vegetation and assess costs.

Kacerta and district staff said the district’s bylaws and the state legislation limit the district’s remedy to vegetative fuels (grass and other plant matter) and do not authorize enforcement of nonvegetative hazards such as piled pallets or tires; those issues remain under the Committee of Architecture’s enforcement and other codes. Randy Lennon of the Committee of Architecture told the board the Committee has been actively inspecting properties and issuing notices where weeds and hazardous vegetation are present.

Chief Kacerta explained the penalty and collection mechanics: the district can assess fines and recover mitigation costs and, if unpaid, place a lien on the property. The board was told the state statute and related Colorado law limit fine amounts; Kacerta noted a $300 maximum has been referenced in Colorado Revised Statute guidance and that the district’s bylaws currently specify a $300 maximum fine. He added that any collected fines and recovered mitigation funds must be reinvested in the mitigation program.

Staff described operational plans for district-owned lands: the district will attempt to maintain a 10‑foot perimeter around parcels larger than one acre and to prioritize high‑hazard areas identified in an existing low/medium/high hazard map. Christian J. Hynd, the district manager, said some district properties already have mowing contracts but that the district lacks capacity to fully clear every parcel and will continue to rely on a mix of contractors and staff. Shawn Winters, director of operational support, said the district is evaluating staffing and contract needs and will use the hazard-priority list to guide work.

Chief Kacerta urged residents to report dangerous vegetation to the district for inspection and said staff will follow the district’s notice process. He emphasized the department’s preference for voluntary compliance before abatement: “We will make every reasonable effort to work with property owners for this vegetative fuel mitigation program,” he said.

The board asked several clarification questions about scope, liens, and responsibility for easements; staff said privately owned easements contiguous with private lots remain the homeowner’s responsibility, while district-owned parcels encumbered by easements are the district’s responsibility to maintain.