Grease problems being addressed in Crested Butte

New ordinance in works that will impact local restaurants

Crested Butte officials will hold a meeting with restaurant owners later this week to provide information and gather input about a new ordinance in the works. The ordinance addresses issues with problems in the town wastewater collection system that runs along Elk Avenue. Several restaurants without proper grease trapping equipment have apparently clogged the lines and that has added time and expense for the town.

Town attorney John Belkin is working on a “Wastewater Pre-treatment” ordinance that would require local businesses, primarily restaurants, to pre-treat wastewater before sending it into the town system. Some restaurants have working grease traps and others apparently don’t. Those that don’t add great congestion and expense to the Elk Avenue wastewater lines. So an ordinance is being drafted that will shift the expense of the cleanup to businesses that cause the problem.
Town manager Todd Crossett, public works director Rodney Due and Crested Butte wastewater system manager Matt Peacock are organizing outreach meetings this Friday with the local businesses that would feel the impact to discuss the situation. Anyone interested in learning more about these upcoming changes is invited to attend.