Residents protest Boulder County's compost facility due to environmental health risks

Concerns over a proposed composting facility in Longmont have sparked significant debate among residents, particularly regarding potential health risks and environmental impacts. During the City Council's regular session on June 3, 2025, a resident raised alarms about the facility's location on a site with a history of heavy industrial use, including asphalt production and oil and gas operations.

The resident highlighted that a 2019 environmental assessment flagged the site for potential contamination and recommended further investigation, which has yet to be conducted. They emphasized the lack of subsurface testing for soil and groundwater, raising fears about the presence of harmful compounds. "Providing a composting facility on the site without a full environmental investigation is gross negligence," the resident stated, warning that any disturbance could lead to contamination affecting nearby homes, including their own.

The resident, who lives just a few hundred yards from the proposed facility, expressed deep concern for their family's health, particularly for their children. They questioned how it could be acceptable to place such a facility so close to residential areas without thorough environmental due diligence. "No child should have to wake up in the stench of decomposing waste," they asserted, urging the council to reconsider the implications of the project.

Additionally, the resident criticized Boulder County for potentially shifting its environmental burdens onto Longmont families who lack representation in Boulder County decisions. They called for Boulder County to take responsibility for the facility within its own jurisdiction rather than exporting risks to neighboring communities.

The discussion reflects broader community concerns about environmental safety and the need for responsible governance in local development projects. As the City Council continues to deliberate on the composting facility, residents are eager for transparency and accountability regarding environmental assessments and public health.