Larimer County commissioners approve using $30,000 in court fines to cover immediate property cleanups

Amy White, code compliance supervisor for Larimer County, told the Board of County Commissioners on Aug. 11 that the county’s fund for court-ordered and rubbish-ordinance property cleanups has been substantially drawn down and asked for immediate money to finish several cleanups this year.

The commissioners directed staff to apply $30,000 in court-imposed fines that the county has already received to the cleanup fund so crews can complete projects this year, and they asked staff to return an item through the budget process proposing a longer-term replenishment for 2026.

White said the county relied increasingly on the court system after a 2023 assessment and that cleanups begin either via the county’s rubbish ordinance—with an entry-and-seizure warrant and a 10-day execution window—or through court orders when property owners stipulate to violations. "They eliminate hazardous and unsightly conditions improving neighborhood safety and appearance," White said, adding that cleanups also maintain public confidence in enforcement.

White told the commissioners that since Jan. 1, 2024, the county has undertaken five property cleanups. Those cleanups have cost between $2,000 and $43,000 each depending on debris volume, location and additional services such as vehicle towing, tire disposal and hazardous-material handling. White said the county has spent about $72,000 on recent cleanups and that roughly $64,000 remained in the dedicated fund.

Rebecca Everett, community development director, and other staff described a short list of 11 priority properties that are either already under court order or have active rubbish notices. Everett said those lists change as some owners come into compliance and others fall out of compliance. She and White described the county’s typical cost-recovery process: the county bills owners, files liens if owners do not pay, and lien amounts appear on subsequent property tax bills.

Assistant County Manager Lori Cadridge recommended a straightforward general-fund transfer to cover the immediate need rather than designating funds from fines as they arrive. Commissioners expressed concern about completing work before colder weather and about employee safety on winter cleanup operations. Commissioner Joey Shand McNally said he supported completing the work now and treating the longer-term replenishment through the 2026 budget process.

Commissioner John Kefalas asked about installment repayment options for property owners; White said she had not yet explored payment plans with the treasurer's office and would follow up. The board’s direction at the work session was verbal and administrative: use the $30,000 already received in fines to top up the cleanup account so staff can complete the identified work this year, and bring a formal service proposal as part of the 2026 budget to replenish or increase the fund.

The discussion did not contain a formal recorded vote; commissioners gave staff direction to apply the received fines to the cleanup fund and to return with budget proposals.

Notes: The county uses both rubbish-ordinance authority and court orders to start cleanups. White said that to date the county has not had outstanding unpaid cleanups (costs ultimately recovered by liens when owners do not repay), but cost recovery can be slow, which is why an available fund balance is necessary to start work.