DENVER — State officials on Thursday said it could take until the end of the year to finish cleaning up vandalism and damage at Lincoln Park on the grounds of the Colorado State Capitol.
Colorado Department of Personnel & Administration last week found extensive damage to the park's monuments, as well as to landscaping, irrigation, lighting and electrical fixtures. Rats have also reinfested at the park, according to a state news release.
The agency estimated that an additional $137,825 in repairs will be needed to restore the damage to landscaping, irrigation and security cameras. The agency has already spent $70,000 for graffiti removal and environmental cleanup, including the removal of human waste, used needles and syringes. The state also spent $16,069 to put up a fence around the park.
Crews were removing graffiti and cleaning the park this week but the park is expected to be closed until December.
“The staff discovered numerous safety and health hazards in the park," DPA executive director Kara Veitch said in a news release.
The state's Risk Management Property Fund will cover most of the costs for the park repairs. Insurance will cover a portion of the expenses.
Lincoln Park — which sits between Broadway and Lincoln, just west of the Capitol building — is owned and maintained by the state.
