Neglected Pet Cemetery Concerning For Neighbors
COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (CBS4) – City officials in Commerce City are receiving complaints about a neglected pet cemetery.
Overgrown weeds cover hundreds of animal tombstones at the Denver Pet Cemetery and Crematory located on E. 72nd Avenue just east of Highway 85 in Commerce City.
Area residents worry about the future of the remains.
"This is a disaster," said David Lutter, a longtime Commerce City resident who grew up admiring the cemetery. "I can't be the only person in Commerce City who is offended by this."
Old pictures show a gravesite that was perfectly manicured and maintained. That was not the case when Lutter showed CBS4's Melissa Garcia the cemetery's current condition.
"It looks like an overgrown jungle," commented Lutter.
The city had posted a violation on the property for trash and weeds.
According to the violation sign, the property owner had until May 30 to clean up the place.
Shrubbery covered expensive headstones for pets like Rusty, Cindy, and Toby… many of their owners have passed on.
"I'm sure (that) when they buried their animals here, they had the intent that the animals were going to stay here," said Lutter.
Adams County Assessor records show that the property was sold to Denver Pet Cemetery III, LLC in late 2015.
CBS4's Melissa Garcia attempted to contact the new property owner to find out what his or her plans were for the cemetery. She left a voice message but did not immediately hear back.
Lutter said that the cemetery's condition was disrespectful not only to pet owners, but also to the city.
"I think if you ask 95 percent or more of the people in Commerce City, they would have more respect for a cemetery than this," said Lutter.
A city spokesperson said that the new property owner appeared to be running a legitimate business.
Officials said that the city has no regulations for pet cemeteries, and that it would not have any say in whatever the owner chooses to do with the land in the future.
The city spokesperson released this statement regarding the pet cemetery:
The steps for addressing violations can be found here -
http://www.c3gov.com/index.aspx?nid=99
If the violations are not addressed, an administrative fine will be issued to the owner. If the property is not in compliance after a second compliance date, the administrative fine will double and continue to do so. If not paid, the fine(s) will be assessed against the property as a tax lien. Additionally a legal abatement (property cleanup) may be ordered on the property and the property will be cleaned by the city. The costs involved in the cleanup and removal of violations is also assessed against the property as a tax lien. In regards to the property you asked about, we have initiated one notice of violation and they have until May 30 to address the code violations.
The city strives to maintain safe and desirable neighborhoods for the entire community. Most code violations can be successfully addressed and corrected and the city works with home and land owners to bring property up to standards.
Melissa Garcia has been reporting for CBS4 News since March 2014. Find her bio here, follow her on Twitter @MelissaGarciaTV, or send your story idea to mkgarcia@cbs.com.
