Expanding Organic Waste Capacity for Colorado's Front Range

Colorado's Front Range Corridor, which includes Denver and Colorado Springs, continues to expand recycling and organics collection programs, creating a growing need for infrastructure to manage those materials. Republic Services selected us to lead planning, engineering design, grant support and permitting support for the 12,000-square-foot Foothills Organics Transfer Station, Jefferson County's first organics preprocessing transfer station.

The facility now serves as a regional hub for receiving, processing and transferring organic materials, including food and yard waste, for more than 150,000 homes and businesses. It also supports implementation of Colorado's Statewide Organics Management Plan, which aims to significantly increase diversion of organic materials from landfills in the coming decade. 

Leveraging Existing Infrastructure for Long-Term Success

We worked closely with Republic Services to evaluate site conditions, operational requirements and regulatory considerations, which included a geotechnical investigation. 

The transfer station is strategically located adjacent to Republic Services' Foothills Landfill, allowing multiple stages of the material management process to occur at a single site. 

Organics and recyclables can be received, screened and consolidated for transfer, while unrecoverable contamination and residual materials can be managed through existing landfill operations. The resulting reduction in unnecessary material handling improves efficiency and lowers transportation costs and emissions.  

The Foothills Organics Transfer Station is designed for the future, and as diversion programs continue to expand across the Front Range, it can also grow alongside regional demand and support the state’s move toward a more circular economy.