Man sentenced for tree-trimming scam targeting older Coloradans

Heather Willard
·2 min read

DENVER (KDVR) — A few months after his wife pleaded guilty to felony theft, Joseph Tyler has been sentenced to serve eight years in the Department of Corrections and repay $23,000 in restitution for a tree-trimming scam the pair concocted.

Many of the Tylers’ alleged victims were over 80 years old, according to the AG, living in the Adams, Arapahoe, Denver, El Paso, Jefferson and Otero counties.

“The defendants defrauded dozens of older Coloradans when they promised tree-trimming or home repair services and then ran off with their money. These fraudsters are now being held accountable for their crimes,” said Attorney General Phil Weiser in a release.

According to the indictment, Joseph Tyler and his wife, Amelia Tyler, defrauded older Coloradans at least 50 times by taking advantage of them between February 2020 and October 2022. The documents allege that the Tylers would promise tree-trimming or home-repair services for a set price, and Joseph would start on the work.

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Often, the pair were paid for their work before even starting. However, the Colorado Attorney General’s Office alleges that Amelia would leave the job site and deposit the cash or check. During that time, Joseph would “cut a few branches” at the victim’s house.

When Amelia returned, the pair would leave without finishing the promised work. They would tell the homeowners that they “needed to get something and would be back,” but rarely returned, according to the AG’s Office.

According to the AG, Amelia cooperated with prosecutors and pleaded guilty to felony theft. She was sentenced in January and served a year in the Jefferson County jail. She is currently on probation at an “intensive residential program” that will last another three years.

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The indictments listed over 50 charges, mostly for theft or criminal exploitation of a more-at-risk victim. Older individuals or couples are often targeted by scammers for financial reasons, according to the AG’s office.

The Colorado AG partners with AARP for ElderWatch Colorado, which has information on how to recognize, refuse and report fraud and scams. Report fraud or scams by calling 1-800-222-4444 or filing a complaint at StopFraudColorado.gov.

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