Trinidad warns property owners to clear weeds, junk or face fines

Property owners, lessees and occupants in Trinidad have been warned that weeds, grass, brush, volunteer bushes and other growth along streets, roadways and alleys must stay below six inches or they risk citations, cleanup bills and fines.

The city’s notice says failures can trigger immediate enforcement. If the work is not done, Trinidad may order the property cleaned up and bill the owner for the cost, plus a $500 administrative fee. Those who are convicted could face a fine of up to $300 a day, up to 90 days in jail, or both.

The same notice treats junk accumulation as a nuisance. If the city has to abate that condition, the owner can be charged for all removal costs, a $1,000 administrative fee and the same daily penalty exposure of up to $300.

The warning reached beyond vacant lots and obvious trouble spots. It applies to all owners, lessees and occupants in the city, making clear that maintenance is not optional and not limited to a few repeat offenders. By setting a six-inch standard and tying it to immediate enforcement, Trinidad is putting the burden on property holders to keep frontage and alley edges in compliance before code officers step in.

The message carries added weight in Las Animas County, where dry conditions can turn tall grass and brush into a fire risk. Overgrown vegetation can also block sightlines, worsen drainage problems and drag down the condition of neighboring properties. Junk left in yards or along fence lines can create the same kind of nuisance pressure, especially when it invites more dumping or signals that a block is slipping into neglect.

For Trinidad, the notice is more than a seasonal yard-care reminder. It is an enforcement notice backed by fines, jail time and city abatement authority, aimed at stopping small maintenance problems before they become public-safety issues or expensive code cases.