Pueblo, CO Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)
Key Facts
- Fine
- $1,000 mandatory fine per conviction
- Offense class
- Class 1 municipal offense
- Where allowed
- designated disposal or recycling facilities only
- Code section
- Pueblo Municipal Code § 7-3-6(a)
Summary
Dumping trash, litter, or garbage anywhere in Pueblo other than a licensed disposal or recycling facility is a Class 1 municipal offense carrying a mandatory $1,000 fine.
It shall be unlawful and a Class 1 municipal offense for any person to dump, deliver or dispose of rubbish, trash, litter and garbage anywhere within the City except at a duly designated solid waste disposal facility or qualified recycling facilities. If any rubbish, trash, litter or garbage is disposed of other than in compliance with this Chapter, and the ownership of the rubbish, trash, litter or garbage can be ascertained from the contents thereof, the owner so ascertained may be prosecuted for such unlawful dumping, delivery or disposal of the rubbish, trash, litter or garbage. Upon conviction for a violation of this subsection, the Court shall impose a mandatory fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000.00), notwithstanding or in limitation of any other penalty which may be imposed.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 109).
Full Breakdown
Pueblo Municipal Code § 7-3-6(a) requires all rubbish, trash, litter, and garbage be disposed of only at a duly designated solid waste disposal facility or a qualified recycling facility. Dumping, delivering, or disposing of any of it elsewhere within the city is unlawful and a Class 1 municipal offense. If the owner of the dumped material can be identified from its contents, that person can be prosecuted, and upon conviction the Municipal Court must impose a mandatory $1,000 fine, regardless of any other penalty the case carries.
Violations & Fines
Violating the disposal law is a Class 1 municipal offense; conviction triggers a mandatory $1,000 fine the court cannot waive or reduce, on top of any other penalty imposed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get fined for dumping trash on vacant land in Pueblo?
Is the $1,000 dumping fine ever reduced?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pueblo
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