The Highlands Ranch Community Association is opposing a proposed landfill and recycling center near Sedalia because it would be adjacent to the association’s 7,500-acre Backcountry Wilderness Area.
“People don’t realize the natural resources that exist on that property, from a herd of wild elk to the smallest mammals and reptiles,” said Gary Debus, community manager for the association. “It’s an extremely important ecosystem.”
Waste Connections of Colorado has a 125-acre property with a landfill only for construction debris about a mile north of Sedalia and east of U.S. 85.
But the company has an option for a contract to purchase 215 additional acres adjacent to the current landfill for the new project if approved by Douglas County commissioners.
Jeff Burrier, district manager for Waste Connections, said the project would provide Douglas County with its only recycling center and would allow residents to earn points toward cash vouchers and coupons based on how much they recycle.
“These two programs go hand in hand,” Burrier said. “They encourage reduction of landfill disposal.”
The new landfill would accept all waste, not just construction debris, Burrier said. And it would be at least 3 miles from the nearest trail.
Burrier said the current landfill for construction waste is actually 67 acres, with the rest of the land used for buffering and screening with berms. In the new landfill, about 100 acres would be used for trash, he said, and the rest set aside for elk migration areas and open space.
The landfill would accept trash only from Douglas County.
Douglas County spokeswoman Wendy Holmes said planners are reviewing the project, which would need rezoning approval.
Debus said the wilderness area was set aside in 1985 as a conservation area and in 2000 was permanently zoned to prevent any development. The landfill and recycling center go against the intent of property owners in that area, he said.
“We think it’s objectionable because of the character of this pristine open-space land,” Debus said.
Carlos Illescas: 303-954-1175 or cillescas@denverpost.com
