Chaffee County contractor briefs Buena Vista trustees on EPR rollout and local recycling plans
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Summary
County sustainability contractor Julie Mach told trustees county haulers will be eligible for state reimbursement under Colorado’s Extended Producer Responsibility law, potentially making curbside recycling free for residents who already have service; the town adopted a related resolution and trustees discussed local drop-off and landfill recycling-center planning.
Julie Mach, Chaffee County’s regional sustainability contractor, told the Buena Vista Board of Trustees on Feb. 10 that Colorado’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program will shift the cost of traditional curbside recycling (paper, cardboard, plastics, aluminum, glass) to producers and that haulers will be eligible for reimbursement beginning in 2026.
"If you currently have curbside recycling service at your home, that will become free and your hauler will be reimbursed by the state," Mach said, describing a county-level plan to draw down education and outreach funds and to execute an MOU among municipalities for coordinated communications. She said the county and municipalities have submitted initial reimbursement requests and that staff will propose a county-managed education outreach program in partnership with municipalities.
Mach described infrastructure and planning work tied to landfill recycling-center development and related federal funding: an EPA grant provides planning dollars and the county is preparing an RFP for facility design; construction funding remains to be secured. She said the county is pursuing mattress recycling (targeting February–March start) and developing drop-off options so residents without curbside service can access recycling subsidized by EPR.
Trustees asked how the program will reach residents without curbside service; Mach said the county will pursue public drop-off sites and that those infrastructure costs can be reimbursed under EPR. She also outlined ancillary county energy work (greenhouse gas inventory, EnergySmart Colorado participation and an EV readiness plan) intended to complement waste diversion efforts.
Trustees then adopted Resolution No. 12 (packet p.65), which formalizes the town’s participation in county-coordinated EPR outreach and related steps. Staff will return with details on the proposed MOU and timing for local outreach.
