Pueblo health officials say CDPHE variance expected this week for cleanup at 1310 East Tenth

The Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment told the Pueblo City Council on Monday that the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is expected to approve an open‑air demolition variance this week for the burned, illegally dumped property at 1310 East Tenth Street, and that a licensed abatement contractor must submit a work plan and receive CDPHE approval before demolition and cleanup can begin.

Randy Evitz, director of the Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment, told the council the department visited the property after Councilor Gomez raised concerns and that PDPHE staff found evidence of asbestos risk and “a heavy amount of illegal dumping” including used syringes. Evitz said the city submitted a variance request in April 2025 and that CDPHE requested revisions; those revisions were under review and the variance was expected to be approved this week.

The variance is required because the site will require open‑air demolition rather than enclosed asbestos removal. Evitz said, “The undisturbed dirt and ruins do not pose a high risk to the community, but once the pile is disturbed, it will pose a high risk.” He added that beginning cleanup before CDPHE approval could result in fines of up to $25,000.

Why this matters: the property sits within an EPA Superfund boundary and may contain lead…