County purchasing landfill site north of Wellington

By JoAn Bjarko
North Forty News

Larimer County will spend $1,314,600 for 626 acres north of Wellington for possible future use as a landfill.

The property is located 3 miles south of the Rawhide Energy Station and west of County Road 9. This is the same property the county tried to purchase in 2002 from Diamond Peak Properties LLC, but negotiations failed at that time. Closing on the new agreement is set for Feb. 10.

"Landfill sites are like hen's teeth in Larimer County," solid waste department director Stephen Gillette told the county commissioners in December. "There might be another one out there, but I don't know about it."

The county's current landfill on South Taft Hill Road has about 8 million cubic yards of remaining air space. At the current use rate of 500,000 cubic yards of air space a year, it could be filled in about 16 years. Gillette said, however, the county will continue working to divert materials from going into the landfill so that a new one may not be needed.

Gillette said the Wellington-area site is particularly good because of a natural depression in the middle that is 56 feet to groundwater. "That is huge for the landfill business," he said. Federal regulations require a minimum of 15 feet to groundwater. The new site's topography also provides a natural buffer.

Public works director Marc Engemoen said the county will post signs at the site so that land buyers and sellers will know about the potential use.

"I know the phone will start ringing," said Commissioner Kathay Rennels.

The solid waste department operates solely on fees collected. Part of its revenue is set aside for future needs, whether they be a landfill or new transfer station. There is currently $4.7 million in the reserve fund. Also in December, the county commissioners approved loaning $3 million from the fund to construct a 4-H building at the fairgrounds.