2027 Budget & Landfill Rate Increase 11/9/26

Larimer County Board of Commissioners special meeting and public hearings, November 9, 2026, covered proposed 2027 solid-waste fees and the county’s proposed 2027 budget. Solid Waste staff reported that the North Landfill and Central Diversion and Transportation Facility opened August 3, following roughly $60 million in capital projects. Proposed fee changes included increases of $2 per ton for compacted waste and about $3 per ton for roll-off waste, roughly $1 per cubic yard for residential and commercial waste, a new $43 flat rate for large pickup trucks, and charging for drywall by the ton. Many other rates—including those at the Estes Park, Wellington, and Red Feather Lakes facilities—would remain unchanged. The department reported three grants totaling about $4 million for landfill-gas collection and waste-diversion work; these were not included in projected revenue. No contract award or procurement approval was presented, and commissioners took no vote on the fee proposals at this public hearing.

The county’s proposed 2027 budget lists $660 million in revenue and approximately $745 million in expenses, with planned use of reserves, including for capital spending exceeding $100 million. More than $80 million is budgeted for Phase Two of the Ranch master plan; transportation and open-space projects are also included, while substantial road and bridge needs remain unfunded. Staff noted that the budget was prepared before the outcome of a proposed sales-tax measure was known, and that voter-restricted revenues must be used for their designated purposes. Commissioners discussed grant reductions, unfunded mandates, and budget constraints; public comment focused on recycling and waste-diversion opportunities in Estes Park. The budget is scheduled for adoption on December 9, 2026, and no budget vote occurred at this meeting.