Larimer County outlines plan to secure local gravel, updates County Road 44H quarry proposal

Todd Jurgens, director of Larimer County Road and Bridge, told the Board of County Commissioners on April 13 that the county has settled on a strategy to secure local aggregate by developing several small, geographically distributed quarries rather than relying solely on the county's existing Strang pit or buying material commercially. "The best thing for the county is to own aggregate resources," Jurgens said, arguing ownership would give the county control over cost, quality and supply.

The county staff described a multi-step screening process that began with a 2019 desktop geological study and advances candidate sites only after checks for suitable geologic material, access, ownership and environmental and social compatibility. If screening suggests a site is viable, staff said they would perform geotechnical testing such as test pits or drilling before broader public outreach and design work. "We've gone through a stringent screening process before a project is ever moved beyond that initial investigation," Jurgens said.

Staff said small sites reduce haul distances and placement costs, cut truck miles (which lowers roadway wear and greenhouse-gas emissions), and improve the county's ability to respond after natural disasters. Jurgens said…