More New Laws – Suspension of Tax Exemption – Rain Barrels – Varmints – Fork the Recession, Feed the Recovery

More new laws for Colorado property owners:

The property tax exemption – 50 percent of the first $200,000 of actual value – given to homeowners aged 65-plus and fully disabled veterans is being suspended for the 2009 tax year in order to “help” the state deficit. The exemption will be restored for the 2010 tax year unless new legislation is passed. http://dola.colorado.gov/dpt/dpt_news/docs/Legislation/276_enr.pdf   · Every snowflake and every drop of water that falls on the State of Colorado is accounted for and belongs to someone, whether it is a water company, developer, or other authorized user or exported out of Colorado as required by various water pacts. In the past, rain barrels or other means of water collection violated the States prior-appropriation laws. Senate Bill 09-080, effective July 1, allows The Colorado Division of Water Resources to accept applications from residents who get their water from wells, outside of municipal water systems, to set up their own rain collection systems. For details go to http://water.state.co.us/pubs/pdf/RainWaterBills.pdf. Find SB09-080 here: http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/clics2009a/csl.nsf/fsbillcont/49D4349AC4A73794872575370071F5D4?Open&file=080_enr.pdf

I had a little problem with moles in my yard. I hired Colorado Rid-A-Critter and Dan Gates came out to set some traps to remove the moles. Dan’s very knowledgeable about nuisance wildlife and I believe he got rid of the varmints that had taken up residence in my yard. Of course, a new mole family can always take up residence in the vacant tunnels underground but the moles are gone for now. Reasonable pricing, great service, I highly recommend Colorado Rid-A-Critter (719-275-4077)

I thought this was cute: The Pueblo chapter of the Colorado Restaurant Association invites you to join in and “Fork the Recession…Feed the Recovery” by DINING OUT! Restaurants are a vital part of our state and local economy, employing 233,700 people, and pouring over $570 million back into Colorado’s economy. So DINE OUT for breakfast, lunch or dinner today and feed yourself and your local economy!

　

 

New Housing Laws Effect July 1, Happy 4th!

Some important Colorado laws go into effect on July 1st.

House Bill 1091 requires Carbon Monoxide detectors in all single family and multi-family homes offered for sale, transfer, or rent.  Any residential real property containing a fuel-fired heater or appliance, a fireplace, or an attached garage will be required to have a carbon monoxide alarm properly installed within 15 feet of the entrance to each room lawfully used for sleeping.   See HB-1091 for the details.

House Bill 1109 expands the protection given to home owners under the Foreclosure Protection Act. The only action taken in the bill is to revise the definition of a “Residence in foreclosure” to include a residence that is “occupied as the home owner’s principal place of residence and is encumbered by a residential mortgage that is at least thirty days delinquent or in default.”  So, protection is given if the homeowner is at least 30 days late on payments but the foreclosure process hasn’t started yet.  See HB-1109 for the details.

I’m not planning to put out a blog next week, so here is the Pueblo West Schedule of Events for the 4th of July:

*    6:30 a.m. until noon – Lions Club of Pueblo all-you-can-eat Pancake Breakfast, at Vectra Bank on the corner of Joe Martinez and McCulloch Blvds.  Cost is $5 for adults and $3 for children under 12.
*    7:30 am – 5-kilometer fun run/walk, starting on the corner of Purcell Blvd and Joe Martinez Blvd with participants running/walking south to Liberty Point and circling back around to start location. Call 583-4455 or visit http://www.pueblounitedway.org/ for more info.  $5 single/$20 family early registration.  After July 2, $7 single/$25 family registration.
*    10:00 am – Fourth of July parade, starting at the corner of Purcell and Joe Martinez boulevards and ending at Civic Center Park.  Bring your squirt gun – this is an All Wet parade!
*    11:30 am until midnight – Vendor fair, food & drink, and activities at Golden Guardian Park/Civic Center Park.
*    11:30 am until 4:00 pm Kids Zone with bouncies at the tennis courts, pony rides, small carnival rides, games, and booths.
*    5:00 pm until midnight beer garden open for the cconcert and street dance featuring the band Hi Fidelity.  Tickets are: $5 in advance, $7 at the door.
*    9:30 pm fireworks display. The band will take a break during the fireworks.

Have a SAFE and FUN 4th of July!

Deb

 

Weather Service Alerts – Pueblo West Fire Danger Level Lowered – Pet Licensing – Update on Pueblo West Curves Location

The National Weather Service has an experimental program that sends severe weather warnings via text alerts to your cell phone.  To sign up, you decide on the ZIP Code that you’re interested in, text that ZIP Code to the number 56149.  Then whenever there is a severe weather alert for that ZIP Code, you’ll get a text message.  You can have up to three different ZIP Codes, each one would require a separate text message to 56149.  For more info go here:  http://www.weather.gov/infoservicechanges/CellSD_December2008.pdf

And speaking of the weather, all of this wonderful rain we’ve had recently has lowered the fire danger level down to Moderate.  Doesn’t everything look nice and green?!

Pueblo County now requires that all dogs and cats be licensed.  A one-year license for dog or cat is $20 ($10 if pet is neutered).  A three year license is $56 ($26 if pet is neutered).  Licenses can be obtained from Pueblo Animal Services, 4600 Eagleridge Place, Pueblo, CO 81008 (719) 544-3005.  They are open Monday through Friday 11-6 and Saturday and Sunday 12-4:30.

I previously reported that Curves was moving from Joe Martinez Blvd to a new location.  The new location is now just beside the Pueblo West Safeway. 

Deb

 

What’s new in Pueblo West, Pueblo West Xeriscape Garden Tour

We now have our own yarn shop for all you knitters and crocheters out there.  The Yarn Shop, owned by Marilyn Van Maarth, has opened at 356 S. McCulloch Blvd, #101.  Stop by and say hello and see what she has to offer or give her a call at 647-8893.

And speaking of yarn, if you have some left over from previous projects, consider helping The Handmade Afghans Project by knitting or crocheting 6” x 9” rectangles to help make afghans for wounded service members.  For more info, go here:  http://www.rectangle6×9.org/

This weekend is the Xeriscape Garden Tour.  Saturday, June 6 from 9am to 3pm in Pueblo and Sunday, June 7, 9am to 3pm in Pueblo West.  These FREE, self-guided tours are ALWAYS interesting and you can get lots of ideas for water-wise plantings in your own yard.  For brochure and map, click here:  http://www.secwcdxeriscape.org/pdf/GardenMap09.pdf

My favorite landscaping service, Steimz Landscaping, is now owned by Brian Bregar.  Damian Pritts, former owner, is still around giving help and advice to Brian.  If you go on the Xeriscape Garden Tour mentioned above and get energized to beautify your yard, call Brian at 248-9263 for landscaping assistance,

Deb

 

New Source for Trees/Shrubs – Call Before You Dig – Pueblo West Clean-Up

Nan Black, landscape consultant extraordinaire (719-545-2098) who is helping me plan out my next round of landscaping, told me that a GREAT source for trees and shrubs, is Continental Tree Farms, Inc. at 48300 Forest Park Rd in Avondale (719-947-3090).  To get there, take highway 50 east, past the airport, past the depot exit and turn right on Avondale Blvd and then left on Forest Park Rd. John Guadagnoli helped me pick out some GREAT trees and shrubs.  There is a huge selection (as in acres and acres) and the prices are VERY reasonable. 

Remember, if you are going to dig in your yard, give the utility companies at least 3 days to mark the location of underground utility lines.  You can call 1-800-922-1987 and they will coordinate with all of the utilities for you – just one call does it all!

Don’t forget Pueblo West clean-up this weekend.  Hopefully you’ve already gotten your ticket.  When I picked up my ticket from Deb Fortune, she told me that it costs about $6000 to hold the event so the nominal price of the tickets (which cost less than paying at the dump/landfill) doesn’t nearly cover the cost of the event.  Because of budget constraints, Pueblo West Metro District has not been able to make up the difference as in past years.  Luckily there is some grant money to help cover the cost.

Deb

 

Flora & Fauna, Pueblo West Summer Fest, Pueblo West Clean-Up, Pueblo West Pool, Memorial Day

I am so EXCITED because there is an oriole living in my yard!  I looked him up in “The Guide to Colorado Birds” by Mary Taylor Gray and he is a Bullock’s Oriole.  He is about 8 ½ inches long with a bright orange/yellow face and throat.  He has been hanging out by my bird bath where I can get a close up view of his beauty.  Go here for more info about the Bullock’s Oriole:  http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Bullocks_Oriole/id

I am sad to say I’m losing my beautiful Purple Robe Locust tree to some type of borer bug.  The tree has been stressed in the past, losing limbs during severe winds.  It was such a beautiful tree.  I should have been looking for evidence of tree borer holes and spraying with Sevin spray.  You might want to check the tree trunks in your yard for evidence of holes and sticky residue and spray accordingly.

Lots of things happening on Saturday, May 30: 

The Pueblo West summer fest will occur at 76 N. McCulloch Blvd, right next to Wal-Mart.  There will be helicopter rides, games, activities for the kids like face painting and bounce house, and live music.  Mark your calendars!

Pueblo West Clean-Up, sponsored by the Pueblo West Women’s League with Pueblo City-County Health Department, is to help Pueblo West residents clean up their properties and dispose of large items.  Residents must have a pre-purchased coupon to dispose of items.  The Spring Clean-Up occurs from 8:00am to 1:00pm at the open lot north of the Pueblo West Library on Civic Center Drive.  Tickets must be pre-purchased at the Pueblo West Metro District or at the Liberty Point Recreation Center by May 27.   See the Pueblo West View for more info:  http://pueblowestview.com/news/1242885600/9

The Pueblo West outdoor pool will be open starting this weekend.  Go here:  http://www.pueblowestmetro.com/pwparkrecswim.php for swim sessions and admission info.

I hope that everyone has an enjoyable Memorial Day weekend.  Sometime between the softball games, family gatherings and barbecues, please take time to remember the military members who gave their lives in service to our country.  Without their sacrifice, we would not be able to enjoy the freedoms we take for granted today.

Deb

 

Wild, Wild West Fest, Gardeners of Pueblo West Plant Sale, Breast Cancer 3-Day

Don’t forget the Wild Wild West Fest!  I received this from the Pueblo Chamber of Commerce:  “Plan to attend all of the

Come join Deb Jones at the Wild Wild West Fest!

great events this weekend at the Wild Wild West Fest! Events include: a Downtown Festival and Carnival Rides, Live Entertainment & Beer Gardens, Cowboy Pancake Breakfasts, Custom Car Show, PBR Fan Zone & Marketplace, Art & Beauty to Boot Art Exhibit, Ice Cream Socials, Team Roping & Barrel Racing, Wild West Mercado, Out of the Chute WII Challenge, Cattle Barons BBQ, Wild Wild West Parade, Horseshoe Tournament, Kayak Rodeo, Chuck Wagon & BBQ Lunches, Duck Race, PBR Ring of Honor, Child Care, F-150 Invitational Bull Riding Event, Sanctioned Chili Cook-Off, Run with the Bulls Fun Run & Walk, Theater, Movies and much more!”  For more info go to:  http://www.wildwildwestfest.com

 The Gardeners of Pueblo West will be holding their annual plant sale on May 16 from 8:30 to 11:30 in the library parking lot.  I purchased several plants last year, all very reasonably priced, and I’m happy to report I haven’t killed them off yet.  The proceeds will be used for maintaining the Xeriscape Demonstration Garden at Cattail Crossings.

You may see me walking the roads of Pueblo West.  I’ll be walking the 60 mile (yes, 60 miles!) Breast Cancer 3-day walk in Denver in August.  Feel free to stop me to chat about the real estate market in Pueblo West (I’ll probably be needing a brief rest from my training walk!).  I’m also looking for donations for this very worthy cause.  Click on the link below to help me reach my goal!

Support Deb Jones on her 60 mile walk for cancer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 https://secure3.convio.net/npt/site/Donation2?idb=1725291667&df_id=1585&1585.donation=form1&FR_ID=1310&PROXY_ID=3354786&PROXY_TYPE=20

 

Deb

 

Real Property Valuation, Bye Bye Francino’s Pizza, Variances, Wild Wild West Fest

Everyone should have their 2009 Real Property Notice of Valuation from the
Assessor’s office.  This form lets you know that the Pueblo County Assessor
has been out to reevaluate the market value of your property.  It is NOT the
current market value but the value from Jan 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008.
You have the right to protest the valuation by either; completing the back
of the evaluation form and submitting the information to the Assessor’s
office or appearing in person to an Assessor’s office hearing PRIOR to June
1.  Feel free to contact me and I can provide comparable property sales info
from the evaluation time period.  It is not unusual for Assessor’s records
to be WRONG.  You can go to:  http://www.co.pueblo.co.us/assessor/ and click
on the Property Search button to look up your property to see what the
Assessor knows about your property.

I went to order a pizza from Francino’s Pizza earlier this week.  Sadly,
they are no longer in business.  Try to support our local businesses – they
need us and we need them.  If you want your business profiled in my blog,
give me a call or shoot me an email.

This week I received a Variance Notification from the Pueblo West Committee
of Architecture (COA) for a proposed structure on the property of my nearest
neighbor.  If you receive one of these notifications, you have the right to
respond to the variance with statements relevant to the COA’s deliberations.
This can either be done in writing or by attending the scheduled public
hearing.

Pueblo’s first-annual Wild Wild West Fest will run from May 13-17 and

Join Deb Jones at the First Annual Wild Wild West Fest

feature the Professional Bull Riders tour stop, a Lonestar concert, a
four-day Downtown festival and a host of other events to benefit area
nonprofits. A parade will take place starting at 10 a.m., Saturday, May 16
through Downtown.  For more info go to:  http://www.wildwildwestfest.com

Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers!

Deb

 

May Day, Proposed 4-Day School Week, “Perfect Storm” Conditions for Purchasing a Pueblo West Home

May Day – I love this time of year!  My lilacs may actually bloom this year (if there are no late frosts), the trees are budding out, the perennials are coming back, and my front lawn needs to be mowed.

The proposed 4-day school week was voted down by School District 70.  Although Pueblo West kids have been saved from longer school days, the budget shortfall still needs to be resolved.  Some tough choices will have to be made.

If you are a home buyer who has been sitting on the fence, it’s time to make the move to purchase.  We are at the “perfect storm” for home purchasing, interest rates are at historic lows, the price of homes in this area has (in my humble opinion) just about reached bottom, and our government will pay first-time homebuyers up to $8000 in the form of a tax credit if a home is purchased before December 1st of this year.  If you think you are ready to make that big step, give me a call and I’ll let you know what your options are.

Deb

 

Pueblo West Property Values & Selling Your Home in Today’s Market

The last couple of listing appointments I’ve been on have been nothing but bad news for the potential seller.  For all those people who purchased a home in Pueblo West in 2005 or 2006 (and that includes me!), your home is worth today about what it was worth when you bought it (unless you have done substantial improvements to the property).  So if you purchased with a 100% loan or if you used your home as a bank by getting a home equity loan in addition to your mortgage and the total of your loans equals or exceeds the original purchase price in 2005 or 2006 – I’m sorry, if you want to sell (or refinance) your home today, you’re going to be bringing money to the table or you’re not going to be able to sell without going the short-sale route.  There have been enough foreclosures and short sales in Pueblo West to drag down the values of all the other houses and yes, your house WILL be valued based on all home sales – including distressed properties. 

 If you are financially able to sell your home, you need to understand that there are a lot of homes for potential buyers to choose from.  Those homes that do reach the closing table with the highest possible sales price in the shortest time are the homes that are absolutely spic and span and looking like a page out of a Pottery Barn catalog.  If you think your mother would feel comfortable eating directly off the floor in the bathroom or in the kitchen behind the refrigerator, your home is nearly clean enough.  Getting Pueblo West dust out of all the nooks and crannies is an absolute pain but it absolutely must be done.  All light bulbs must be installed and working.  All clutter must be completely banished.  Your front door/stoop/porch must be cobweb/tumbleweed/dirt-free.  Children’s toys must be out of site.  Landscaping is a plus.  Sparkling clean windows, appliances, ceiling fans, toilets, and fixtures are a must.  If your home doesn’t look like a model or parade home, buyers WILL start subtracting off the list price if they even consider making an offer.

 I’m hoping that home prices will start to rise in Pueblo West towards the end of the summer.  For those sellers that can hold off, I believe the chances for a higher-priced sale will be better then.  In the meantime, if you can, try to pay off or pay down your mortgage loan(s).  Start getting your home ready for sale NOW – have a yard sale to get rid of the excess “stuff”, get out the paint brushes, purge and clean!

 Don’t forget Saturday is the 4th Annual Tom Sawyer Fishing Derby at Cattail Crossing Pond at the corner of Joe Martinez and McCulloch.  MAKE SURE THE KIDS BRING THEIR OWN FISHING POLE!   Immediately following the Fishing Derby, visit the 3rd annual Taste of Heaven from noon to 5 p.m. at Sun Haven, 201 S. McCulloch Blvd.