PUEBLO — People in a Northside Pueblo neighborhood are now saying enough is enough.
They say illegal dumping has been happening right behind their homes on Adrian Avenue for several years and they want it to stop.
What used to be a pleasant area to walk their dogs or ride a bike is now a nightmare for residents. It's not just a pop can or a plastic bag laying around. No - there's everything from carpets, a stereo, even a toilet.
"It smells, you can smell."
It's a problem Rosella Solano says she first noticed about three years ago.
"I was walking my dog and we went up the hill, and I seen couches down there and I'm like what?"
Then, she saw a truck.
"There was a truck dumping out sinks and mattresses...big stuff."
By the time she came back with a camera they were gone.
Fellow resident Richard Mischiara says it's something that happens a couple times a week.
"It looks like the city dump out there right now. It's ridiculous."
There's even a homeless person who's set up camp.
Mischiara said, "There's just no respect for the neighborhood anymore."
Solano and Mischiara say they've both contacted law enforcement and code enforcement, but so far no major action has been taken. However, Debra Hill, public information officer for the City of Pueblo, says they are aware of what's going on.
Hill said, "The biggest issue with this is that it is taking place on private property...that means it's the responsibility of the property owner to take care of that illegal dumping."
Nevertheless, she says the city is keeping an eye on it and will continue to see what can be done.
As for Solano, her demand to those breaking the law is to "stop it. Why don't you dump that in your backyard?"
Solano and Mischiara will be addressing Pueblo City Council during Monday night's meeting.
As far as this property, News 5 found through our own research that there are several different companies who own this land. Hill says the city doesn't know how much the owners are aware that this dumping is going on. She says this is something the city would have to take a closer look at before trying to contact owners.
