Englewood Small Homes, Alleys and Storefronts: Biohazard Notes

Englewood at a glance for this topic

County: Arapahoe County
Police: Englewood Police Department within city limits
Coroner: Arapahoe County Coroner's Office
Housing: Many small bungalows and post-war homes on narrow lots, duplexes and small apartment buildings
Layout: Grid streets with alleys behind many blocks, and commercial corridors such as South Broadway

Englewood-specific things to plan for

Use these when arranging cleanup at a home or small business in the city.

Use the alley and a detached garage, if there is one, for loading so vehicles and containers stay out of the front yard
Keep regulated waste containers inside the garage or vehicle rather than at the alley cart area
Ask neighbors sharing a fence or driveway for a little patience, without sharing details
Check alley edges, garage corners and window wells for discarded sharps before working there
In small homes, expect odor to reach every room; ask how air will be managed during work
For a duplex, have the other unit checked if the shared wall or basement is involved
For a storefront, plan work outside business hours and protect the sales floor from foot traffic

Why compact homes change the work

Many Englewood homes are modest in size, with a living room, kitchen, one bath and two or three bedrooms on the main floor and sometimes a basement below. In a small house there is little separation between the affected room and everything else. Odor and particles move through the whole home quickly, so containment and air management matter more than in a large house with closed-off wings. Furnaces in basements often feed short duct runs to every room, and the return air may be in a central hallway.

Englewood also has a large share of rental housing. Tenants should report incidents to the landlord promptly and check renters insurance for belongings. Landlords should be ready to coordinate access and repairs and to arrange temporary housing if the tenant needs to move out during work.

Along the commercial corridors, small businesses may face blood, sewage or sharps in restrooms, entryways or behind buildings. The same principles apply: keep employees out, document, and bring in trained help.

Questions to ask in an Englewood home or business

Can you work from the alley and keep the front of the property quiet?
How will you manage air in a small home so odor does not spread to every room?
Will you check the furnace filter and return air path near the affected room?
For a duplex or small apartment building, will you check the adjoining unit?
For a storefront, can work happen before or after business hours?

Map of Englewood. It shows an area, not an office or a job site.

General information for the Denver area, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.