In December of 1872, the Big ditch Company was organized to build a ditch from Rock Canyon to the Arkansas River. At this time the townspeople managed to raise $10,000 for the project. The ditch was subject to frequent cave-ins and when water finally ran in the ditch, it flooded neighborhood basements. It contributed nothing towards firefighting.

During the next year, the J.H. Warner Hook and Ladder Company was formed. The fire warden issued this notice in the November 21, 1873 edition of the Colorado Chieftain:
Attention! The households of this city are hearby notified that they must immediately remove all garbage annd filth from their premises, and they must use the utmost care in the disposal of ashes. The ordinances in this relation will be rigidly enforced.
Ironically, in the two weeks following the notice, two major fires struck Pueblo. The first happened on November 29, 1873 at the California Stables, which was located at 3rd and Main St. Damage was estimated at $5,000. The second fire occured on December 3rd, 1873 at Dunlap's Dance Hall and the Phoenix Saloon, located at 3rd and Sante Fe. Damage was reported at $12,000.

After these fires, The Chieftain again emphasized the need for a water system. Showing that sarcasm was alive and well in the 1870's, The Chieftain suggested that in the event of a fire, property owners should throw four buckets of water on the fire, which should empty the barrel, toss your valubles out the second story window, followed by the children. Then head to the hills, where you can sit calmly and watch your property burn.