On April 14, the Mesa County Commission approved the purchase of liquid asphalt materials from Suncor Energy, up to $340,000.

These materials are used for the county’s chip-seal program, a preventive treatment that seals cracks, protects the surface and slows deterioration. This approach helps extend the life of roads and reduce the need for more costly repairs later.

Mesa County uses in-house crews to complete this work, allowing for flexibility and efficient use of resources, the county said in an April 20 news release. Chip-seal work will take place throughout the construction season on select county roads. Residents may see crews working in phases, with short-term impacts that support longer-lasting roads.

The county is using state-contract pricing for these materials, taking advantage of a cooperative agreement to secure competitive rates, the news release said. This year’s pricing also reflects a slight decrease for some materials.