Westcliffe Solid Waste Disposal Site LF - Landfill in Custer County, Colorado

Westcliffe Solid Waste Disposal Site LF is a landfill facility located in Custer County, Colorado, United States. It serves the Westcliffe area and surrounding communities, providing a disposal solution for municipal solid waste. The facility is operational and classified under NAICS code 562212 for solid waste landfills. As a landfill in Colorado, this facility operates under the regulatory framework of the US EPA's RCRA Subtitle D for municipal solid waste landfills, which sets standards for location, design, operation, and closure. State-level regulations from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment also apply, ensuring compliance with environmental and public health requirements. Typical landfill operations include waste compaction, daily cover, and leachate management. The environmental significance of this facility lies in its role in managing local waste streams while mitigating potential impacts such as groundwater contamination and methane emissions. Landfill gas collection systems are commonly employed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and leachate treatment prevents pollution of nearby water resources. The facility contributes to the region's solid waste infrastructure.

The landfill is situated in a rural area of Custer County, Colorado, near the Wet Mountains. The local environment includes sensitive groundwater resources and wildlife habitats. Proper leachate management is critical to prevent contamination of aquifers, while landfill gas collection helps reduce methane emissions. Community proximity and traffic from waste hauling are also considerations for this facility.