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Neighbors Speak Out Against Plan For Medical Waste Facility

DUPONT, Colo. (CBS4) - Homeowners in a northern Denver metro area neighborhood are speaking out over plans for a medical waste treatment plant near their homes.

The proposed site for the Waste Solutions LLC facility is in the 8600 block of Brighton Boulevard in Dupont, near Commerce City.

David Stallworth has lived in the area "since Easter Sunday, 1958."

"I couldn't believe they were going to try to put something like this this close to all of our residences," he said.

Waste Solutions says the operation that will go on at the facility will involve sterilizing medical waste so it can be brought to the landfill.

Waste Solutions takes needles, bandages and other items like the ones that can be found in plastic tubs in doctor's offices and steams them at such a high heat that they are disinfected.

"What we've been fighting here more than anything is a misunderstanding about what we do," Waste Solutions spokesman Mike McGee said.

On Monday night Waste Solutions gave a presentation to dozens of residents to answer questions about the facility.

Neighbors say they are concerned about what might happen if there were some sort of hazardous spill. They also fear there will be more traffic near Dupont Elementary School.

Property values are also a concern.

"It's a safe operation. It's been proven for decades. And ours is the state-of-the-art, most modern one that's going to be in the state of Colorado," he said.

Generally the presentation was not well received. Many neighbors said they plan to join together to fight the proposal.

Waste Solutions will go before a planning committee on Aug. 25. A recommendation will be made to the county commissioners, who have the final say.

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