Health officials say CDPHE variance expected this week for cleanup at 1310 East 10th

Randy Evitz, director of the Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment, told the Pueblo City Council at a Sept. 8 work session that the city expects Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment approval this week of an open‑air demolition variance for the burned and illegally dumped property at 1310 East 10th. Evitz said PDPHE staff found evidence of heavy illegal dumping at the site, including used syringes, and that because the parcel lies inside the EPA Superfund boundary it likely contains lead and arsenic that can be dangerous if disturbed.

"The variance for open air demolition is expected to be approved this week," Evitz said, summarizing the status of the permit the city’s environmental consultant submitted in April 2025. He added that CDPHE requested revisions to that application and the city and its consultant have been responding.

Evitz outlined the regulatory steps that follow variance approval: the city’s general abatement contractor must be licensed to perform that scope of cleanup and must submit a site‑specific work plan to CDPHE. "The work plan approval process is expected to take 10 to 14 working days," Evitz said. CDPHE will confirm the contractor’s licensure and the work‑plan details before demolition may begin. Evitz warned that disturbing the material without the permit could trigger enforcement: "starting cleanup on this property prior to approval from CDPHE will result in up to a $25,000 fine."

Chad Walgrom, director of environmental health at PDPHE, described the agency’s operational role: PDPHE responds to asbestos complaints, issues stop‑work orders if work proceeds without the required permits, documents inspection findings for state enforcement, and helps deter illegal access. "We are putting illegal dumping cameras in the alley to try and catch people that are accessing that property," Walgrom said, adding that so far the cameras have not yielded license‑plate evidence tying dumps to individuals.

Council members asked about timing and cost recovery. Staff said the procurement and contracting process for demolition will include a public bid (the city estimates a bidding period and award could add 21 or more calendar days after plan approval) and that the city may use public funds for abatement and place a lien on the parcel to recover costs if appropriate. Staff also noted administrative complications because the owner of record is deceased, which can require probate or other special processes before title or cost recovery is finalized.

Neighbors and business owners adjacent to the site were noted in council remarks as having health and nuisance concerns—for instance, an outdoor restaurant nearby reported that the condition of the property affected customers. Evitz and Walgrom said city crews installed temporary fencing on CDPHE’s recommendation and will maintain monitoring until abatement begins.

The council asked staff for an updated list of burned or blighted properties so members can prioritize follow‑up. The next procedural steps are for CDPHE to approve the variance, for the city to select a licensed abatement contractor and submit a work plan, and for CDPHE to review and approve that plan; only after those approvals will demolition and soil management begin.