If you took a poll, it might be tough to get 95 percent of Pueblo residents to agree about the merits of free pizza and beer. Yet last Sunday, The Pueblo Chieftain asked its readers if illegal dumping is a problem in the city. Ninety-five percent of the poll respondents said yes.

That suggests the depth of a problem that shouldn’t be accepted or ignored. One way or another, city officials need to get their arms around this ever-growing trash heap.

It is noteworthy that the city has picked up 440 tons of trash so far this year – about 200 more tons than last year. The city also agreed to increase the size of its abatement crew from six to 12 workers, although only nine were on the job as of last week.

Read more at The Pueblo Chieftain.