Englewood weighs voucher system to offset property owner costs for graffiti removal
City officials are developing a reimbursement tool to help businesses and residents pay for cleanup, following complaints about high expenses and tight deadlines.
By Madison Darwish ·
City leaders in Englewood, Colorado, are developing a voucher program to help property owners pay for graffiti removal. The initiative is part of the Safe and Clean Englewood Initiative, which aims to address safety concerns and reduce the financial burden on residents affected by vandalism.
Annie Huston, owner of Birdsall & Co. on South Broadway, estimates her garden boutique spends up to $10,000 annually to repair damage. She reports that graffiti appears on her property approximately twice a year. Huston also noted other issues, including needle hazards in the alley and two previous arsons. "It becomes expensive. It is time consuming. We have to have paint all the time," Huston said.
Current municipal code requires property owners to remove graffiti within three days of receiving a notice from Code Enforcement. Officers may grant additional time at their discretion. In a recent incident affecting homes across the street from Huston's store, the city gave property owners 14 days to complete the work. If owners fail to act, the city can remove the graffiti and bill the owner for the costs plus a 25% administrative fee. This expense is charged against the real property.
Councilmember Steve Ward raised concerns about the current policy during a September council meeting. "I do not believe that the city should establish policies that punish the victim of a crime and that is what we have right now," Ward said at the time. The new voucher program would not change who is responsible for removal under the code, but it would provide financial assistance to qualifying owners to offset those costs.
The city stated in a release that the goal is to encourage timely removal and voluntary compliance. Officials are currently identifying funding sources before launching the program. The structure will mirror the city's existing Illegal Dumping Reimbursement Program.
Huston described the city's plan as comprehensive and expressed hope that more safety issues will be addressed as the initiative moves forward. "Any help, financial help, that the city could provide would, of course, be extremely welcome," she said.
The city has not yet set a launch date for the voucher program. It remains in the development phase while funding is secured.
