Elbert County approves Class 2 composting facility for Richard Lands Compost LLC in Kiowa

The Elbert County Board of County Commissioners approved a special-use by review (SUR-2023-1558) permitting a Class 2 composting facility operated by Richard Lands Compost LLC at 15585 County Road 166, Kiowa.

County staff said the 39.25-acre site will accept agricultural and vegetative wastes including large-animal manure, bedding, woody waste and yard material, and that the engineering design and operations plan was reviewed and approved by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). Planner Danny Klebanner told the board the facility’s design includes an approximately 8-acre composting pad, stormwater impoundment for contact water reuse, three groundwater monitoring wells sampled quarterly and multiple odor-control steps.

Applicant Jonathan Weststein, who identified himself as a co-owner, described the proposed controls and monitoring. He told commissioners the operation will use aerated static-pile (ASP) systems and capping materials to limit odor, and that temperature probes and cloud-based logging will track compost temperatures to meet CDPHE treatment standards. “We want 30 parts carbon to 1 part nitrogen,” Weststein said, describing feedstock blending used to manage decomposition and reduce nuisance impacts.

A public commenter, Jackie Alice of Littleton, said she opposed the project, expressing concerns about dust, truck traffic and property values: “I’m thoroughly against this fertilizer company,” she told the board.

Staff and the Planning Commission noted referral reviews from Elbert County departments and state agencies; the Planning Commission recommended approval with two additional conditions: dust control on County Road 166 and fencing for security and to limit flying debris. County staff added recommended conditions requiring the applicant to record a letter of understanding acceptable to Elbert County Public Works addressing road use, to adhere to CDPHE approval conditions and to record the special-use exhibit and required documentation within 180 days. Staff also said a new traffic letter and a revised letter of understanding acceptable to Public Works would be required before the site could open to the public if operations expand beyond the current activity level described in the application (the current estimate was about 40 total vehicle trips per day).

Commissioners voted to approve the special-use with the conditions described in the staff packet. The motion carried after a second and a roll call of “Aye.”

What happens next: The permit will not become effective until fees are paid, required conditions are met and the special-use exhibit is recorded; the applicant must provide CDPHE final permitting documents and quarterly groundwater-monitoring results for review and must obtain any additional traffic analysis and Public Works approvals before opening to public drop-off.