PUEBLO—The City of Pueblo Parks and Recreation Department hosted a tree branch drop off service May 24-28 which included 1,863 loads of tree branches, which were collected during that time. Over 284 hours were spent by City of Pueblo employees to assist with this cleanup process and 13,044 cubic yards of branches and debris were dropped off at the site.

“We were happy to see so many of our Pueblo residents take advantage of this service,” said Director of Pueblo Parks and Recreation Steven Meier. “We were able to take this green waste and use it for mulch which will assist our city parks and is a good use of the material.”

City residents were offered a free drop off location at Lake Minnequa Park due to a recent snowstorm in May. The benefits of mulching yard debris and tree branches include weed control, improving soil quality, reduces erosion and water savings in comparison to un-mulched areas. Trees, shrubs, branches, limbs and other green waste were accepted by Pueblo Parks and Recreation staff with support from employees of Pueblo Public Works Department.

“Not only did this drop off clean up our city, but it prevented all the yard debris from being thrown in the dump and going to waste,” said Meier.

For more information about Pueblo Parks and Recreation Department please call 719-553-2790.