Larimer County Requesting Extension For Flood Debris Cleanup
LARIMER COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4) – Deadlines are just days away for flood victims to get rid of debris from the disaster, but many say they need more time.
At the Larimer County Landfill flood debris is still piling up six months after high waters devastated the area.
"The majority is woody debris, but we also have (construction and demolition), we've had some white goods (large appliances), and 23 cars destroyed by the flood," said Larimer County Solid Waste Director Stephen Gillette.
Larimer County has hired contractors to help pick up debris residents have piled up along some county roads. Crews with the Colorado Department of Transportation are also helping, but deadlines are looming.
"Our deadline is March 12," said Gillette.
Yet cleanup is far from over in areas ravaged by the floods like the Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch.
"We ended up with a great deal of cobbles and rubble that came down from the canyon," said flood victim Susan Jessup.
Much of the debris is too heavy to move by hand and residents can't get to the designated debris drop off sites.
"Even after you pull it out, then you have to have dump trucks or something to haul it up there. We don't have that kind of equipment here," said Jessup.
That's part of the reason why the county is asking the state for an extension to their cleanup deadline.
"We're still opening roads and bridges so these citizens need more time to get the debris out of the county right away so we can clean it up," said Gillette.
