County awards $14,040 fence contract to prevent cattle entry at landfill and pit

CUSTER COUNTY, Colo. — Custer County commissioners awarded a $14,040 contract to Valley Fence & Fabrication on Feb. 18 to build approximately 3,960 feet of perimeter fencing around the county pit and landfill.

County staff opened sealed bids during the meeting. Frontier Fence LLC submitted a low bid of $12,643.36 that specified concrete‑set steel posts; Valley Fence’s bid was $14,040 and called for pipe‑brace construction and other differences in post and gate specifications (the full bids were read aloud at the meeting).

Commissioners and local operators discussed pros and cons of concrete footings versus driven or drilled posts in local soil and frost conditions. Several participants noted that concrete footings can heave in frost and that pipe braces and driven posts are commonly used in local practice. Brian Lockhart, the landfill supervisor (joining online), asked whether county crews could build the fence to save money or whether contractor timing and a pending crusher delivery made contracting preferable.

"The time constraint is just the safety issue we're talking about and equipment problems," the presiding official said, citing cattle accessing the pit and damaging solar equipment and fuel lines. Commissioners ultimately favored Valley Fence’s proposal and approved the award by voice vote.

What’s next: County staff will coordinate scheduling and access for construction and work with the contractor to confirm material and corner‑brace details. The board did not record a separate written contract number at the meeting.