Colorado Springs Homeowners Responsible for Maintaining Private Trees and Landscaping
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - As the city's urban forestry department fields a growing number of inquiries from concerned residents, officials are reminding Colorado Springs homeowners that they are responsible for maintaining trees, shrubs, and other vegetation on their private property.
City Forestry does not conduct maintenance on private trees, leaving that duty to individual homeowners. This includes addressing any issues like animal damage, disease, or storm damage that may affect trees on one's own land.
According to the department, "Homeowners are responsible for maintaining shrubs, weeds, and landscaping in the city right of way" - the area between the sidewalk and curb. Failure to do so could result in a citation from the city's Code Enforcement team.
While the city will respond to reports of trees or limbs blocking streets, sidewalks, or power lines, homeowners are expected to dispose of smaller debris and branches on their own during major storm events. Forestry crews will prioritize the most severe issues first.
To report a problem with a city-owned tree or request an inspection, Colorado Springs residents can submit an online request. For private tree concerns, the city recommends consulting a licensed arborist or reaching out to the Neighborhood Justice Center.
This reminder comes as the city works to maintain its extensive urban forest amid limited resources. Local families and businesses are responsible for properly caring for trees and vegetation on their own properties to keep Colorado Springs neighborhoods safe and accessible.
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