Colorado county landfill to implement tip fee for unsorted C&D materials

Starting Jan. 1, 2026, the Summit County Resource Allocation Park, Dillon, Colorado, will implement a tipping fee of $150 per ton on all unsorted construction and demolition (C&D) materials brought to the landfill. Sorted C&D loads free of divertible materials will be charged a reduced rate of $85 per ton.

Authorized by the Board of County Commissioners via Resolution No. 2025-10, the unsorted C&D tip fee will support landfill operations and incentivize recycling of these materials to extend the life of the landfill.

The fee applies to all loads of mixed or unsorted C&D materials, including new construction, remodels, renovations and demolition projects, as well as materials generated from roofing, decking, fencing, siding, flooring, framing and similar construction activities.

Loads containing a combination of wood, metal, drywall, concrete, plastics or other building materials that are not separated into approved, recyclable categories prior to arrival at the landfill will be fined the unsorted C&D fee.

In 2024, a study of the county’s landfill found that approximately one-third of all C&D waste could be diverted. According to the study, debris from single-family residential projects accounted for around 70 percent of C&D debris, with commercial and multifamily residential projects accounting for nearly 20 percent.

RELATED: Colorado county waste study finds one-third of C&D waste could be diverted

Currently, Summit County estimates that 21 percent of its total discards are being diverted from the landfill, which is projected to reach capacity by 2078. The county says it will maintain its focus on achieving a 40 percent diversion rate by 2035 to extend the life of the landfill and its current cells. Within that, C&D materials play a key role, with specific diversion targets of 35 percent by 2028 and 50 percent by 2035. 

Resources, including C&D sorting guidelines and accepted materials, are available on Summit County's website.