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Alamosa County declares Chefas property blighted, delays enforcement 90 days
Summary
The Alamosa County Board unanimously found the Chefas property in violation of the county blight ordinance but postponed enforcement for 90 days to allow remediation and outreach coordination; the owner and the sheriff described ongoing homeless trespass and cleanup costs.
The Alamosa County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously April 22 to declare the property owned by Sarah Chefas a blight violation under county ordinance and, in a separate unanimous motion, delayed any enforcement action for 90 days.
Commissioner Lori Laske moved to find the property in violation, with Vice Chair Arlan Van Ry seconding; both motions passed without opposition. Land use staff will continue remediation efforts and the board requested a work session with La Puente to discuss outreach and cleanup coordination.
Owner Sarah Chefas told the board the problems stem from repeated trespassing by people camping on her land along the river and levee. She said the county’s process places an inequitable financial burden on private owners: “As a private citizen, it's not reasonable to be expected to solve the county homeless situation,” and she reported paying more than $13,000 for past cleanups.
Sheriff Jackson described long-running enforcement challenges, saying deputies have written 19 summonses in the area since the start of the year and that no easy fix exists. The sheriff reported cleanup costs including $700 for dumpsters on one cleanup and $2,400 charged by a contractor on another and said outreach groups’ distribution of food and supplies has sometimes contributed to repeated encampments on private property.
Land Use Director Richard Hubler explained the blight process begins with complaints and that the County has attempted cleanups; Hubler will continue to accept exhibits and letters for the hearing record. County Attorney Jason Kelly confirmed additional evidence will be accepted into the record through the end of the next business day.
By delaying enforcement for 90 days, the board directed staff to pursue remediation with the property owner and to engage community outreach partners. The board did not adopt any fee- or cost-recovery measure at the meeting; enforcement timing and potential assessments remain subject to follow-up actions and any administrative process outlined in the county ordinance.
