By Kim Black
A Moffat resident’s complaint about a neighboring lot used as a dump has prompted town officials to take notice. The property, located at 151 W. 6 St. — just north of the Mirage Trading Co. and less than 500 yards from Moffat High School — has become an eyesore and health concern.
Trash bags, toilet paper, and exposed refuse cover the lot. An excavator was used to dig a pit where additional waste was dumped and left unburied. The site, visible from the school, a nearby coffee shop, and Hwy. 17, has raised alarm as a potential environmental hazard.
Ownership of the property is in dispute. According to Saguache County records, Ken Biggs attempted to sell the lot to Erik Martinez of Kush Property Management in June, but the sale did not go through due to incorrect legal documentation on the quit claim deed.
Martinez, a resident of Area420, was arrested earlier this month for charges of failure to appear in Fremont County and Contempt of Court in Denver County. He is currently being held without bail and was not available for comment.
Saguache County Land Use officials stated they have limited authority over the issue. “We do not have jurisdiction in the Town of Moffat since it is an incorporated municipality,” said Virginia Adams. “Our land use codes apply only in unincorporated county areas, except for septic system regulations.”
Town of Moffat Mayor Melinda Myers said the town may send a formal letter to the property owner. “There are many challenges to properties in Moffat,” she said, acknowledging the broader issue of properties in town.
The town is also moving forward in its effort to formalize and enforce its local ordinances. Mayor Myers announced that the town has received its Code Book draft from Civic Plus, a company specializing in organizing and editing municipal code into legally recognized formats.
“This has been a long and expensive process dictated by statute,” said Myers. “When finalized, the town will have legal standing to enforce the ordinances.”
The Board of Trustees is scheduled to begin reviewing the draft at its next meeting on April 29. According to Myers, the update addresses several long standing issues within the town.
The Town of Moffat is also planning a community cleanup day to help address local trash. The board will provide trailers and vehicles to assist residents in hauling refuse to the landfill, with the town covering disposal fees. No date has been finalized, but discussions are underway. “The cleanup day planned will address the immediate trash issue and the board is actively working on blight in town.”
Mayor Myers noted that the Town Board is composed entirely of volunteers and that Moffat has very limited resources. Still, she said, the town is working to address resident concerns and improve community conditions. “Building community is what we are all about,” she added.
Ownership of this lot remains in question as residents expressed concerns over health and safety in Moffat.
photos by Kim Black