To help ensure reliable waste-disposal services and make the most efficient use of available landfill space, the Mesa County Commission approved a $1,177,980 purchase on June 16 for a new trash compactor at the Mesa County Landfill.

The county said in a news release that the landfill receives more than 600 tons of waste each day and managed approximately 187,000 tons of waste in 2025. Because waste can only be placed within a state-permitted area, compacting it as densely as possible helps extend the life of the landfill and delays the need for costly future expansion.

Mesa County maintains two landfill compactors to ensure landfill operations can continue if one machine is undergoing maintenance or repairs. The new compactor will replace an existing unit as part of the landfill’s planned equipment replacement schedule. The purchase includes a five-year, 10,000-hour warranty.