Roadway aggregate in Larimer County
What is aggregate?
Aggregate is crushed rock, gravel, or sand mined from quarries and pits. You might hear it called “gravel” or “base course.” It’s necessary for building and maintaining roads:
Concrete roads: Gravel aggregate is mixed with cement and water to create strong, paved surfaces.
Asphalt roads: Gravel aggregate is mixed with liquid asphalt to create a durable, flexible road surface
Under concrete and asphalt pavement: Gravel aggregate is spread as a stable base layer to prevent cracking and shifting.
Non-paved roads: Gravel aggregate is used as a surface layer to make them stronger, more durable, and weather-resistant.
Although aggregate is used for a variety of purposes, the focus of this website is the aggregate used to maintain non-paved roads in Larimer County.
Aggregate and Larimer County’s roads
Aggregate is the material that helps us get where we need and want to go. A reliable aggregate supply is a requirement for public safety, ensuring that citizens, businesses, and emergency service vehicles can safely travel along County roads.
Non-paved roads rely on a gravel surface to stay durable and drivable in all weather conditions. Without it, these roads would become muddy, rough, and unreliable. Maintaining them with a gravel surface is critical.
Keeping non-paved roads in good shape
Over 200 miles of non-paved roads in Western Larimer County require constant upkeep for residents, business, recreators, and emergency services.
New gravel is added to keep non-paved roads in good condition because, over time, the gravel wears down. Gravel surfacing material, like any other surface material, has a limited lifespan and needs to be replaced periodically.
Larimer County resurfaces about 8.5 miles of non-paved roads with fresh gravel annually. That is about 40,000 tons or 3,075 truckloads of gravel spread over Larimer County roads every year to keep them safe and drivable.
Having approved, geographically diverse quarries is a tool that increases Larimer County's ability to quickly respond to natural disasters and other disruptions for roadway users.
Current gravel sources
Planning for future aggregate supply
Current activities to secure more aggregate
