Larimer County wins state grants, advances compost pilot and recycling policies

Larimer County told commissioners on May 4 that it has secured state grant funding and is moving to expand diversion programs, pilot composting and prepare policy changes tied to an extended producer responsibility (EPR) initiative in Colorado.

Solid Waste Director Dwayne Penny said the county won two Colorado Energy Office grants: roughly $2.1 million to expand methane‑gas collection at the existing landfill and an additional grant of about $2 million intended to support policy development and planning for a mechanical construction and demolition (C&D) sorting system. Penny said the methane expansion design will be submitted to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment for review and that the county expects to engage contractors once the design is approved.

Penny described diversion infrastructure tied to the transfer station: source‑separated recycling collection, a planned C&D processing facility, pilot composting and free temporary acceptance of clean, source‑separated concrete and asphalt to build an inventory for crushing and reuse. On composting he highlighted work with Gore technology to control odor: “Gore,” he said when asked, referring to the technology brand. Penny cautioned that food‑waste collection requires careful contamination controls and called for municipal partnership on pilot rollout.

On policy, Penny said the county is applying for reimbursement under Colorado’s EPR framework, which would reimburse processors and governments for residential recycling processing and outreach. He said Larimer County has already received initial approval for drop‑off and education funding and that staff are working on master service agreements to secure reimbursement for ongoing programs; county staff expect some program elements to be active in June.

Commissioners asked questions about recycling specific materials (shingles and asphalt), the logistics of compost contamination and pilot timelines; Penny said Colorado previously had issues with unmanaged shingles recycling and that any program would need approved partners and state or county approval before mixing shingles into asphalt pavement.

County staff said further policy steps and pilot operations will be coordinated with municipal partners and posted publicly once funding and operational details are finalized.