As Montezuma County considers broader enforcement on trash and blight, commissioners on Tuesday ordered a rural property owner to bring his unpermitted wastewater system into compliance by Oct. 1 after an inspection spurred by neighbor complaints.
The deadline came after an on‑site visit to the property, where county staff investigated possible health code violations. Commissioners opted not to levy fines or issue a cease‑and‑desist order, instead giving the owner additional time to engineer and permit an approved on‑site wastewater treatment system. They also required visible progress within 90 days.
Environmental Health Specialist Linda Hill told commissioners that the recent inspection found no human waste on the ground and no visible failure of the existing septic system. However, she said the system was never engineered, which is required before it can be permitted. She added that the owner must pay county road impact fees through Planning and Zoning before receiving a septic permit.
Inspectors also found greywater had been discharged onto the ground, though Hill said the owner corrected the issue and provided photo documentation.
The property sits about 20 miles outside town and includes renters, a single‑wide camper and several RVs using a 500‑gallon tank. The case was elevated to a required public hearing last week after neighbors reported wastewater concerns and her department found no septic permit on file.
After that hearing, the board postponed action until the inspection could be completed.
During the same meeting, commissioners said they intend to revisit how the county addresses trash, burning trash and visual blight on private property. The issue, they said, is widespread, and enforcement in recent years has been limited because the county lacked staff.
County Attorney Stephen Tarnowski noted that any new blight ordinance would require public hearings and likely revisions to the county’s comprehensive land‑use plan, which dates to the mid‑1990s. Commissioner Jim Candelaria said concerns raised during a recent town hall point to a need for broader discussions beyond public health enforcement.
“The majority of the complaints are related to trash on residential properties, including household waste, abandoned vehicles, tires, etc. The issue is spread across the county and is not limited to rural or residential areas,” said Vicki Shaffer, the county’s public information officer.
The owner appeared at Tuesday’s public hearing and described significant financial strain, including unpaid rent from tenants, fines, property taxes and road impact fees. He said he does not currently have a job or a vehicle and relies on rental income.
He initially asked for a two‑year compliance window.
“Well, I want to work with you, trust me, I want to work with you because I want this property cleaned up,” Candelaria said. “I have two people sitting beside me but two years down the road? I’m not willing to accept that at all, because I think we would be remiss in our duties to allow that.”
Candelaria said it is the board’s responsibility to ensure the system is compliant and protect environmental health.
“Your neighbors came to us and they were very vocal, very loud, and we see that we've done the inspection now the system is not failing. I'm willing to work with you and give you a little bit of time, but I'm not willing to give you two years,” he said.
“Yes, but I want to see progress in 90 days. I want to see contact with an engineer, and, at least, an inspection for the septic system,” Commissioner Kent Lindsay added, referencing local providers such as LePlew Septic Tank Service.
At the end of the meeting, County Administrator Travis Anderson said the county will provide a 40‑cubic‑yard dumpster for two weeks at no cost, including tipping fees, to help the owner clean up the property. Labor will not be provided.
