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Larimer County Solid Waste
The Solid Waste Department (until 2004 known as the Natural Resources Department) is responsible for a variety of environmental and resource management functions in Larimer County, including solid and hazardous waste management and recycling. Until 2004 and 2006, the department was also responsible for weed control and forestry management, respectively. Today, these services are part of the Parks and Open Lands Department.
Department History
Department Responsibilities
Our History
1960: The Natural Resources Department started out as a group of three pest control districts, later merged into one.The mid-1970s: Larimer County was hit with mountain pine beetle and Dutch elm disease epidemics. To combat these epidemics, the County added Forestry to the pest control district. The County Forester became the department head.
The late 1970s: Larimer County acquired several open space areas, and their management became the responsibility of the Forestry Department as it was now known.
1980: Larimer County reorganized into divisions, so this department became part of the new Public Works Division.
1983: Responsibility for solid waste activities (landfill and transfer stations) was moved from the Road and Bridge Department to this department. Open space responsibilities were transferred to the Parks Department.
1985: The Forestry and Solid Waste Management Department changed its name to the Natural Resources Department.
2004: The Weed Control District became part of the Parks and Open Lands Department and the Natural Resources Department became the Solid Waste Department to better reflect the services offered.
2006: The Forestry Program became part of the Parks and Open Lands Department.
SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENTThe integrated solid waste management system consists of:
- One regional landfill
- Four waste transfer stations
- Five recycling drop-off sites
- Berthoud
- Estes Park
- Glacier View (Red Feather)
- Rocky Mountain National Park
- Wellington
- Two permanent household
hazardous waste collection sites
- Fort Collins (at the landfill)
- Estes Park
- A recycling processing center
The solid waste system is an enterprise fund, supported by revenues from operations. No tax monies are used for solid waste programs. This self-supporting fund covers all operations, environmental protection, capital and site replacement funding, and closure and post-closure funding. In addition, the solid waste program pays the county's general fund about $50,000 per year for in-house services.