The Pueblo official 2023 Community Choice Awards in the cleaning category went to Trujillo’s Cleaning Company owned by Larry Trujillo. Trujillo has been cleaning carpets since 1976, and even if he hadn’t won the award, he would quickly share with you that he has the best customers in the world.
The Denver born native came to college in Pueblo to earn a Sociology degree and never left. “If you lived in Denver you’d want to stay in Pueblo,” shared Trujillo.
“Denver is just too big. But Pueblo is a great city with lots of diversity. I really enjoy living here.” It was Trujillo’s brother in Denver, though, that got him into the cleaning business. Immediately after college he managed some convenience stores and did a stint in the probation department. His brother told him about the carpet cleaning business he started in Denver.
Trujillo wanted an opportunity to put his entrepreneurially leanings to work, so he started his own cleaning business in 1976.
“I owe a lot to one of my suppliers who gave me a lot of hints and help in making my way through the learning curve,” opined Trujillo.
Trujillo’s company does much more than just clean carpets.
There worth shines in emergency situations, in which people deal with fire, water, mold removal, or smoke damage. Trujillo and staff are on call for those kind of events 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and try to respond to those critical calls in an hour or less.
They also do a lot of air duct and dryer vent cleaning.
Trujillo’s son, Mario, has worked for him for 14 years and heads up business in the Colorado Springs area. A lot of business comes their way from Canon City, Pueblo West, Colorado City, Rye, Beulah and other parts of southern Colorado. And, of course, their home base, Pueblo.
In addition to Mario, JJ has been with Trujillo for a dozen years and Bruce is part time-full time, depending on the amount of emergency services work, when up to seven people work when the size of the job demands increased numbers.
Trujillo is licensed and certified by The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). All of his fulltime people have completed course work online and attended schools in Dallas, Denver and Las Vegas. A written test has to be completed and passed in each category of training.
The IICRC was founded in 1972 by Ed York. It has evolved into a global organization with more than 49,000 active certified technicians and more than 6,500 certified firms around the world.
Although Trujillo loves every day of work, as part of the territory with his business he is forced to deal with extreme hoarder situations. “It goes with the job,” he shares. “You must complete the job, even on those rare occasions where you are dealing with hoarders.”
What separates Trujillo’s Cleaning Company from others? Trujillo would share that it is experience, education and a good rapport with customers. They have a no question, no charge guarantee, in which customers receive a free second try if they were not completely satisfied.
When Trujillo isn’t working, he spends time with his son, grandson, and granddaughter who all live in the same home. “ They are the joy of my life,” he emotes.
He also goes to the gym to stay fit and loves to play Texas Hold em. He has traveled quite extensively.
His company is a member of the Latino Chamber of Commerce and a group called Restoration Renegades, a network of restoration contractors who specialize in restoration services such as water damage, fire damage, mold remediation, and reconstruction.
Trujillo gives back to his community and donates to several non-profits every year.
You can contact Trujillo by calling (719) 565-8753 or going to his website at www.trujilloclean.com. You can also see their ad on page 14 of the View.
“I love what I do,” he summarized. “People are most comfortable in their own homes and they know we are there to make their home better. We don’t want to make it better for one visit.
We want to make them a customer for life.”