Longmont residents, county officials spar over proposed compost facility and open-space land swap

Longmont residents and open-space advocates told the Boulder County Board of County Commissioners on Oct. 2 that a proposed land exchange that would allow a regional composting facility on land tied to Longmont’s open-space program would violate prior commitments and undermine voter trust.

The comments came during the public-comment portion of the county’s meeting, where speakers said the proposal—under discussion between Longmont and Boulder County staff—would convert parcels bought with open-space dollars or intended for conservation into industrial use for composting, truck access and other public-works functions.

The issue matters because Longmont voters in November extended an open-space sales tax with 74% approval, and several speakers said the ballot language and intergovernmental commitments did not allow conversion of land purchased for open space into industrial uses. “When people see land we pay to protect being positioned for a different purpose, confidence in open-space programs…