[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6148358,"mediaKeyId","5516631-64ea2361d4e92a10b48f6d6f918db061","parentId",5516631,"title","Englewood reviews South Metro waste-diversion plan as producer-responsibility law approaches","audioSeconds",1591,"startMs",239000,"endMs",1830000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5516631-64ea2361d4e92a10b48f6d6f918db061&start=239&end=1830","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5516631-64ea2361d4e92a10b48f6d6f918db061/thumbnail_239000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6148358/Englewood-City/Arapahoe-County/Colorado/Englewood-reviews-South-Metro-waste-diversion-plan-as-producer-responsibility-law-approaches","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6148358-99742c4a35dd9b8cdd336b7321a6479b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771018544&Signature=mpPKFbdujo5HdpfeXYTtop~akhgB6n~0YYRfLLYSp2LWhfpthw2L2DXvbjsjuEUzrITkEBwwwI60yvWo5vaOFvHlBdfkdX1gFTKpzkXVlW65ikZy98d64DiOymmHdeHhRI3xNv592LKG~cfiPToIp1XToyLwHuCXeB07TJ-a~MJ3axZcSd0s~6cl2YcduLAqL-lIcfHfL4ZeTE99GhWUJ9Li4ltcRa2V4Ej1zPX9YKzlGc8CWrqkjTDwbELk2i9qkg1YSwcATRZH1YjWFIh7MdBb2-iX3r-LNS6lH5bTvB7I~ouUKbrc4J0CwbqAP6t9PXsxcv3u0ENxQThKy-GTbQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Englewood City, CO","date","2025-07-28T00:00:00Z","article","Englewood city staff and outside consultants on Monday presented the draft South Metro waste diversion plan and asked the council to return it for nonbinding approval on Aug. 18 as a blueprint for the next 10 years of regional recycling and organics work. The plan, compiled for four South Metro cities (Englewood, Littleton, Centennial and Sheridan), is intended to support future grant applications and local implementation steps.

The plan’s baseline findings include a two-season waste-composition study and extensive outreach. The consultants reported that the region currently recycles about 15% of its waste, that a two-season sort processed “over 10,000 pounds” of material, and that roughly 78% of material now landfilled could be recovered through a mix of existing programs, expanded services and specialized collections. Consultants also said that nearly half of residential waste is organic material—food scraps and yard waste—presenting an opportunity for diversion if local processing capacity grows.

Why it matters: Colorado’s new producer-responsibility law (often called extended producer responsibility or EPR) will require producers to fund statewide recycling collection and, starting in 2026, the producer responsibility organization Circular Action Alliance (CAA) will reimburse service providers for the net cost to collect and recycle covered packaging and paper. Helen Lee, senior consultant with RRS and project lead for STEPS, told council that CAA is finalizing an implementation plan with the state and recommended the city “monitor and stay engaged” as municipalities access reimbursements.

Key regional recommendations in the draft plan include establishing regional recycling drop-off centers, expanding access to organics recycling and increasing recycling and composting in multifamily and commercial properties. The consultants recommended that Englewood and partner cities evaluate policy tools such as a hauler licensing requirement for tonnage reporting, pay-as-you-throw pricing, an “equal space” ordinance that mandates equivalent collection space for recycling in new multifamily buildings, and reconsideration of an organized (single-hauler) collection contract.

Consultants and staff emphasized the difference between the plan and implementation. “Prior to implementation, any strategies that we discussed today will need to come before council again,” Helen Lee said, noting code or ordinance changes would return to council with full proposed texts.

Council discussion and concerns: Council members asked for city-level disaggregated data from the regional outreach—Mel Engle, Englewood’s sustainability program manager, said the project website (southmetrowastediversion.com) includes city-level results and staff can pull Englewood-specific raw data for council. Several council members and consultants discussed practical issues for organics collection and compost quality: consultants said different processing facilities accept different feedstocks (some accept meat, dairy and bones; others accept only true organics or yard waste) and recommended that Englewood define acceptable inputs in any future curbside or drop-off program and consider regional processing capacity increases.

Extended producer responsibility and organized hauling: Consultants described two local delivery models that Englewood could consider to maximize the CAA reimbursements: (1) an organized-hauling contract that bundles garbage and recycling for the city and can leverage group rates, and (2) continuing the open-market model but adding licensing and data-reporting requirements and bundling or opt-out protections. Consultants noted Sheridan is currently the only South Metro city with an organized contract (with Republic Services) and that Sheridan residents pay about $11–$20 per month for trash and recycling; by contrast, Englewood residents in the open market currently pay roughly $20–$50 per month.

Not all council members supported organized collection. Council member Ward said he could not support a single-hauler organized collection based on earlier city experience, staff work on multiple RFPs and resident concerns about service levels and specialty options (for example, concierge pickup). Ward and other council members pressed that any organized system must match or lower costs and maintain service levels for residents who currently receive alley pickup or special services.

Construction-and-demolition (C&D) ordinance and deposit model: Consultants described a C&D ordinance approach, used in places such as Boulder, that ties a refundable deposit to diversion requirements for demolition permits. Boulder’s example requires a refundable “deconstruction deposit” of $1 per square foot with a $1,500 minimum, diversion of at least three building material types and 75% diversion by weight to receive a full refund. Consultants recommended the city consider a feasibility study and potential pilot, noting the approach is most effective when tied to permit processes and weight-ticket verification.

Outreach and equity: Consultants said they conducted more than 43,500 community engagements regionally (surveys in English and Spanish, focus groups with multifamily residents and disadvantaged communities, business outreach and social media) and recommended sustained community education and a peer-to-peer “recycling champions” training model. Council member Pray asked how the plan identified “disadvantaged communities;” Lee said the project used indicators such as participation in SNAP/WIC and households where a language other than English is spoken and that the team would provide the exact criteria to council.

Next steps and limits: Mel Engle told council staff will continue regional coordination, pursue grant opportunities and return the plan to council for nonbinding approval on Aug. 18. Consultants repeatedly cautioned that local ordinances, contracts or budget changes must return to council for formal action. They also warned that CAA reimbursements depend on the organization’s final implementation plan and on whether local haulers opt into the program.

Implementation risks: consultants and staff identified key contingencies: CAA’s final rules and timeline, whether local haulers participate in producer-responsibility reimbursements, the availability of local organics processing facilities that accept food waste (not only yard waste), and the need for additional budgets or grants to site and run regional drop-off or processing centers.

Council requested staff provide Englewood-specific outreach and composition data to inform any ordinance or contracting decisions, and several council members signaled support for further study of equity-focused access options, drop-off centers and expanded organics—but not unanimous support for an organized single-hauler contract without evidence it would reduce costs and preserve service levels.

Ending: City staff and consultants urged the council to treat the draft as a strategic blueprint rather than an immediate regulatory program. “This plan provides a prioritized list of activities and action items that can be focused on,” Helen Lee said; staff will return on Aug. 18 with the plan for the council’s nonbinding approval and additional detail on any proposed next steps.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Study Session - 28 Jul 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Englewood city staff and consultants on Monday presented a draft South Metro waste diversion plan and asked the council to return it for nonbinding approval on Aug. 18 as a blueprint for the next 10 years of regional recycling and organics work.","taxTitle","Englewood City, Arapahoe County, Colorado","taxId",52219,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6148343,"Englewood delivers midyear capital projects update; several items proceed while some bids exceed estimates",834,8393000,9227000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5516631-64ea2361d4e92a10b48f6d6f918db061&start=8393&end=9227","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5516631-64ea2361d4e92a10b48f6d6f918db061/thumbnail_8393000.jpg","/articles/6148343/Englewood-City/Arapahoe-County/Colorado/Englewood-delivers-midyear-capital-projects-update-several-items-proceed-while-some-bids-exceed-estimates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6148343-207ddff3c66f9e1e69058f136e2c8bf2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771018544&Signature=YJtQ19A15CE~ZGWIXzUf0ddg6i41G51cJvzWDSQz4Na1U1r2hNQl9ssylrD0R1NDKVFPkNfgQDsKBBWgzdGO8OQMEtILFLkYEOj8GfLyzn4966aHL2GH0vc6d7Aajskf0csb0NgJ77~AIGU83L0bWJPra7zTAv~RIiHFw8TaHgNfwNcWJq-~lVJryFEPtkqR-bLsBE8g0N4Kw1OXTf7KmZeh7JMmV4ZLYuaJjxp0LFurlxrg45ekNL0w~QBI1rdHibAhjEiWQj5zkWGus5tU9zUdybGBEm2Qh5qxMmUl9ueVkfnJ5k4jCfcxb4FfBinWoGaOgciMLY-no5zcpuPv-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff presented a midyear status review of the 2025 capital improvement program, covering communications and placemaking, information technology, parks and recreation, public works, stormwater and utilities projects.

Key program updates include:
- Communications/placemaking: five new community signs are in design; bridge painting was not pursued because of permitting; neighborhood signs and a newly completed in-house video studio were highlighted.
- Information technology: a planned fiber pre-feasibility study ($100,000) is on hold pending evaluation of the HRIS replacement cost; the HRIS (human-resources information system) project has moved from a module-led upgrade to a full replacement procurement; phone-system replacement rollout is roughly 90% complete and expected to finish in mid-August.
- Public safety/city facilities: Fox Building roof replacement is complete; interior renovations are in design to meet police operational and fire-code requirements; patrol-car in‑car MDTs (mobile data terminals) were installed last month.
- Parks and recreation: Bates Logan phase work is complete and in warranty; the Englewood Recreation Center mural is planned with CAC funds; Little Dry Creek plaza design is budgeted at $30,000 (corrected from an earlier packet typo). Broadway medians: two medians were installed at a contracted cost of about $171,000; staff requested an additional $200,000 in next year’s CIP for two more medians.
- Public works: several active projects were described—Dartmouth Avenue traffic calming (plans ~95% complete; bidding delayed to late fall pending temporary construction easements), Oxford Avenue pedestrian bridge (construction underway), Union Avenue deck rehabilitation (design completion expected Q3) and Union Avenue full rebuild design delayed briefly for subsurface utility investigation; the city is packaging several street projects for upcoming bids.
- Stormwater and utilities: South Englewood drainage plan and Dry Gulch/Harvard Gulch master planning are proceeding in cooperation with Mile High Flood District; Old Hamden utility work is under construction; Denver Water interconnects (resiliency project) came in about $2 million higher than anticipated and staff plans to reallocate WITHU program funds to cover the difference; the utilities lead-service-line replacement program was reported at roughly 40% complete and may finish earlier than previously projected.

Staff emphasized dependencies and risks: several projects depend on outside partners or grant funding (Mile High Flood District, Denver Water, state grants), some bids came in above early estimates (leading to scope, packaging or funding adjustments), and utility work can uncover additional subsurface issues that lengthen schedules. Council members praised the midyear format and asked staff to continue providing concise at-a-glance project summaries, cost and schedule statuses, and to flag projects that may require supplemental funding.

Ending: Staff said the midyear review will inform the 2026 proposed capital budget and that departments will return with project-level budget requests, any recommended re-scoping and proposed funding sources.","Department heads reviewed major capital projects, noting completed items (Bates Logan park, Broadway paving), near-complete efforts (ERC upgrades, Fox Building roof) and higher-than-expected bids on some utilities work; council asked for continued reporting and for project cost and schedule details in the 2026 capital process.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6148348,"Midyear finances: Englewood reports modest operating surplus, staff proposes folding small restricted funds into 2026 budget",376,5678000,6054000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5516631-64ea2361d4e92a10b48f6d6f918db061&start=5678&end=6054","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5516631-64ea2361d4e92a10b48f6d6f918db061/thumbnail_5678000.jpg","/articles/6148348/Englewood-City/Arapahoe-County/Colorado/Midyear-finances-Englewood-reports-modest-operating-surplus-staff-proposes-folding-small-restricted-funds-into-2026-budget","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6148348-0b5077f59557f65aab78921a34f35590/orig.mp4?Expires=1771018544&Signature=ciWhAodl6KYDHJESIckHVdwgdU78zKYNOggiiaOmjbshUazKr084KHqbcbnTx9HI1qUjjGD~BNozHDrRgVrwy9q~WpU~wAyEpqaDJa1GyPVxxpUxTxzBNk6Mpl1c6GpV6vWE2OzAveYmN8trfDubGE8xhEKzA1vOiNWEWLTh2mL7nM1imcw91ATrKLCjxz4jkhuEI-JKzh0mtdcJNYz1Ndfbx7Fpe4XhW4pwzoJi7fmGAre~4KZ4CuciE57ROmHQnpfM6xdWI9eLviEJoKyVX~uoxVvM6VfntflTmCEC97FZKkzhu4IBqpEagZV7Nmh~qZ6hlqF8n2h-KAXfyQGVPQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kevin Ingalls, Englewood’s director of finance, presented the monthly financial report and said the city is about halfway through the fiscal year with revenues at about 51.6% of budget and expenditures at about 48.7% YTD.

Highlights and key figures presented by Ingalls:
- Overall revenues: ~51.6% of budget year to date; sales and use tax slightly down year-to-date (marijuana subcategory was a notable drag). Property tax collections were lower relative to last year because a one-time state payment in the prior year had inflated prior collections.
- Licenses and permits: up for the year after a large permit in June.
- Expenditures: ~48.7% of budget with most departments within their year-to-date allocations; some departments have front-loaded vendor payments.
- Operating surplus: approximately $1 million (compared to about $1.3 million at this point last year).
- Fund balance composition (as of mid-year): net change in fund balance showed a reduction driven by $2.2 million in transfers for capital balanced by the operating surplus; unassigned fund balance remains about $3.3 million and overall reserves about $11.8 million.

Staff asked council whether two small restricted balances — $95,000 in a long-term asset reserve and $182,000 in a stadium refund account — should be included in the 2026 budget proposal. Council members expressed differing views: some supported folding the amounts into the 2026 budget with tracking for intended uses; others preferred retaining the restrictions or leaving the amounts as-is in fund accounting. Christina Underhill, director of Parks, Recreation, Library and Golf, noted that stadium funds were intended for programming and capital tied to youth and recreation uses and that any use should respect that intent.

No formal action was taken. Ingalls said staff would include the restricted amounts in the 2026 budget materials for council consideration and track any conditions attached to restricted funds.

Ending: Staff will carry the June financial status into the proposed 2026 budget materials and will return with the formal budget where council can decide whether to sweep or maintain the small restricted balances.","Director of finance reported June results showing revenues at 51.6% of budget and expenditures at 48.7% year to date, an operating surplus near $1 million and staff proposed including two small restricted balances — $95,000 long-term asset reserve and $182,000 stadium refund — in next year’s budget discussion.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6148355,"Englewood’s pavement survey shows improved average condition; staff recommends continued data-driven maintenance",1070,3191000,4261000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5516631-64ea2361d4e92a10b48f6d6f918db061&start=3191&end=4261","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5516631-64ea2361d4e92a10b48f6d6f918db061/thumbnail_3191000.jpg","/articles/6148355/Englewood-City/Arapahoe-County/Colorado/Englewoods-pavement-survey-shows-improved-average-condition-staff-recommends-continued-data-driven-maintenance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6148355-b5dc524ce1a984580d33d06a99b9595d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771018544&Signature=M2uA1KA6mGSnJ8~XMsWNme6o~FgyG8rtN5KiDYCjnep5rQJk4sniuVfn~8OxifiEotwi3XUBFI6VWD6qJn7wo1zYhVSic2IjIjbTGUAu-a6PaCUsgs3bDebYsCQAmituZdoMhp-K0GX7ZTK-95aqmcgxtzoFv7BmXzVt4BUN2~dU~-UR-ErayzzmYnrk9SwHMYC2m0Yx1gQET7Z3qj9QxtXFHi02Y3cXlodThL-rSvmbXCAsYjiSbAa7yDmSo9MX2STCcmd2nyOLIztuaj72qMuM3h~SWLTIa4ektLpzkLU8b51qyhTJ458N98tdUhGLjOC2tUW~mmS6Cq~S1RXwIA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City engineers on Monday presented the results of Englewood’s June 2024 pavement survey and explained how the data will guide repairs, maintenance and budget planning. The report compared results to a 2021 survey, described the tools used to collect condition data, and summarized how the city will use a scenario-planning tool to predict future needs.

The survey was collected with automated equipment from a local consultant and follows ASTM-aligned methods; video, GPS, lasers and roughness sensors produced an overall condition index (OCI) for each pavement segment. Megan Blase, asset program manager, said the OCI scale runs from 0 (failed) to 100 (new). The city’s average OCI rose from 62 in 2021 to about 72–73 in 2024 after roughly $8 million in pavement work between surveys, officials said.

The city maintains about 125 miles of streets; replacing the entire network would cost roughly $80 million, the presentation said. Public-works staff described three tiers of maintenance: routine (pothole repairs, crack sealing), preventative (slurry seal for OCI roughly 50–70, which typically raises OCI 10–15 points) and corrective (mill-and-overlay or reconstruction: a typical mill-and-overlay is two inches milled and two inches overlaid and can raise OCI to about 95; reconstruction is recommended for OCI below 30).

Asset management software (OpenGov Enterprise Asset Management) and a scenario-builder tool were used to model funding scenarios and asset degradation curves. Using the proposed five-year funding plan in the model, staff said average OCI is predicted to remain between 70 and 75 over the next five years—an industry-aligned target.

Council questions focused on survey frequency, cost, and local accuracy. Blase said the city recommends resurveying about every three years to recalibrate degradation models and detect unusually fast-deteriorating streets; she said a single survey costs roughly $25,000. Council members asked about the standardization between vendors; staff said the most recent survey was performed by AGW, a local firm, using ASTM collection methods and that staff validated scores in the field for a handful of streets.

Council members also asked about the impact of utility cuts and service-line repairs on pavement scores; staff said those effects are captured over time by repeated surveys and by post-work inspections and that some localized patches can improve short-term condition while repeated cuts can accelerate longer-term degradation. Member Ward asked whether the city could prioritize repairing the very poorest streets in a single season; staff said the program allows targeted outlier repairs where needed but also balances contractor mobilization and economies of scale.

Staff noted specific projects—Broadway and other corridors—were major contributors to the overall OCI increase, and that arterial streets are modeled separately because of heavier loading. Staff will return recommended project lists and funding proposals during the budget cycle.

Ending: Public-works staff said the pavement-survey program improves targeting and value for taxpayer dollars and recommended continued three-year surveys and use of predictive modeling to keep the system in the 70–75 OCI range. Council asked staff to provide firm survey costs and continue to identify outlier streets for potential accelerated repair.","City engineers reported an improved average pavement condition following 2021–2024 work and said further three‑year surveys, predictive modeling and targeted maintenance can keep the network at a 70 OCI target; council asked for survey costs and confirmed flexible response to poor-outlier streets.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Englewood reviews South Metro waste-diversion plan as producer-responsibility law approaches

Englewood delivers midyear capital projects update; several items proceed while some bids exceed estimates

Midyear finances: Englewood reports modest operating surplus, staff proposes folding small restricted funds into 2026 budget

Englewood’s pavement survey shows improved average condition; staff recommends continued data-driven maintenance