Landfill managers warn state methane rule could raise costs sharply; county joins coalition ahead of prehearing

Garfield County landfill staff presented a semiannual operational update and an overview of pending state air-quality rulemaking that could significantly increase landfill costs and local tipping fees. Deb Fiscus, landfill presenter, walked commissioners through operational metrics, including year-to-date tonnage increases, revenues from metal recycling, tire and e-waste collections, septage and the upcoming pond cleanout. She reported revenues for 2025 up from 2024 (for example, metal recycling revenue rose from tens of thousands in 2023'—2024 to $73,172 on 911 tons in 2024; year-to-date 2025 revenues were higher) and that the landfill had one staffing vacancy that would be filled in coming weeks. She described ongoing maintenance tasks including cleaning three ponds and options for doing that work in-house or hiring hydrovac services at an estimated $200'$300 per hour. The presentation turned to a detailed discussion of proposed Air Quality Control Commission Regulation 31, a draft regulation to control methane emissions from municipal solid waste landfills. County staff said Garfield County had gained…