Neighbor alleges chemical exposure from Transpro trucks; commissioners refer complaint to code compliance and public health

A Fort Collins resident told the Larimer County Board of County Commissioners on Jan. 27 that operations at a trucking tenant, Transpro, have exposed nearby residents to a chemical substance and that the company lacks county land-use approval.

Tiffin Vaughn said she and a neighbor, retired planner Jerry White, have documented more than three years of concerns and provided the board with a letter, sheriff’s reports and a complaint filed with the Department of Health. She described a Jan. 11 incident in which a material transfer between two trucks allegedly released a chemical that exposed the adjacent neighborhood and asked the board to halt Transpro operations until the company comes into compliance.

Commissioners thanked Vaughn, said code compliance and public-health staff are reviewing the matter, and suggested the materials she provided would be placed into any forthcoming public hearing record. County Manager Lorenda Volker told the speakers the information will be shared with Community Development Director Rebecca Everett. Commissioner Kristen Stephens noted the quasi-judicial nature of possible hearings and cautioned against one-on-one ex parte discussions while also encouraging continued dialogue with the sheriff’s office on related surveillance and enforcement issues.

No enforcement action was announced at the meeting; commissioners described the next steps as staff review and, if appropriate, formal public hearings or code-compliance proceedings.