El Paso County to consider new rules for weeds, rubbish and unsafe structures
Drafts set 14 days to correct covered weed violations and 30 days for unsafe structures, with appeal windows and court-authorized enforcement.
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El Paso County commissioners are scheduled to consider first readings Oct. 22 for three proposed ordinances revising county enforcement of weeds and brush, rubbish, and unsafe structures, according to the Land Use meeting agenda. The proposals would replace existing county ordinances and update enforcement procedures to align with Colorado House Bill 26-1239.
The proposed weeds-and-brush rules would apply to residential properties smaller than 2.5 acres in unincorporated El Paso County, excluding land in current agricultural use. Owners generally would have 14 days to correct a violation, though the county could set a shorter deadline for an immediate public-health or safety risk. An owner could appeal an enforcement determination to the commissioners within 10 days.
Under the proposed weeds-and-brush ordinance, the county could seek a court order to stop or abate a violation and impose civil penalties. County entry onto private property to remove weeds would require a court-issued warrant. The draft also would allow liens for unpaid removal costs or penalties.
The unsafe-structure draft sets a 30-day correction period, with a shorter deadline possible for an immediate risk, and gives owners 10 days to appeal. The county could seek court remedies and, with a court-issued warrant, secure or remove an unsafe structure. Unpaid costs could be assessed against the property as a lien.
For rubbish, the county’s agenda summary for Ordinance 26-03 says the proposal would replace Ordinance 18-02 and update enforcement procedures and legal remedies, but does not specify deadlines, appeals or remedies. All three measures are proposals scheduled for first readings, not adopted ordinances.