Fort Morgan wastewater treatment upgrade approved with conditions to meet state nutrient rules

Morgan County officials approved an amended Special Use Permit on Sept. 2, 2025 to allow the City of Fort Morgan to update and expand its wastewater treatment facility at 18169 County Road 22 so the plant can meet Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) nutrient removal requirements.

Brent Nation, City Manager for the City of Fort Morgan, and Andrew Stewart with engineering firm Merrick & Company presented the project: splitting two large biological nutrient reactor (BNR) basins into four smaller basins, adding a fifth BNR, installing a splitter box, adding a third clarifier, expanding the main building with a new blower room, adding a maintenance garage and a digester, and expanding the solids handling building. Project construction is expected to continue through October 2027.

Planning staff reviewed the Special Use Permit criteria (Section 2-455 of the Morgan County Zoning Regulations) and recommended conditional approval. Referral responses were logged from Xcel Energy (no conflict) and Colorado Parks and Wildlife (recommendations regarding high-priority habitats, raptors, migratory birds, wetlands and vegetation reseeding). The Planning Commission considered the application on Aug. 11, 2025 and recommended approval on a 6–0 vote (one member absent).

Staff conditions adopted by the Board require the applicant to submit the updated CDPHE permit to the Planning Department within 10 days of receipt; supply any agreement with the Upper Platte and Beaver Canal within 10 days of execution; enter a road use agreement with Morgan County regarding maintenance of County Road 22 prior to construction (subject to Board approval); and obtain building and floodplain development permits before construction begins.

During discussion, Commissioner Kelvin S. Bernhardt asked whether the amendment would change odor conditions and how the wastewater process treats solids. Andrew Stewart explained the treatment process and clarified that solids are transferred to a separate farm parcel for land application; per CDPHE requirements solids must be land-applied within one week. Commissioner Malone asked if the solids-spreading location would change; Stewart said it would not. Stewart estimated traffic increases on County Road 22 would be about 10%–15% over a two-year period during construction. Public commenter Gary Foos of 18172 County Road 22 said he was not opposed to the upgrade but expressed concerns about the current poor condition of the road and past expectations that it would be oiled to reduce impacts. The Board approved the amended special use permit with the stated conditions; Commissioner Bernhardt motioned for approval and Commissioner Malone seconded. The motion carried 3–0 and the hearing was adjourned at 9:45 a.m.

The conditions and referral recommendations aim to address environmental and infrastructure impacts; the record requires the applicant to complete permit transfers and road-use agreements before construction begins.