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Welcome to the Town of Empire

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Important Stuff

As the snow starts to fly, this is a good time to read Empire’s Snow and Ice Control and Removal Policy. The Town will plow local roads when we receive at least 4 inches of snow. Please remember, CDOT does all the plowing, gritting, and maintenance for Hwy 40. The Town cannot plow Hwy 40, private driveways, or private parking lots. Our plow drivers will first clear the roads to public transportation such as the school bus stop and the County Roundabout stop.

This is also a good time to check your tires and stock up on windshield wiper fluid. Please be safe as we finally start getting some snow!

If you would like to request Public Information that is not currently on the website, please fill out a

CORA request (Colorado Open Records Act.)

Form can be found on the website or in Town Hall. If you have questions pertaining to town business, please send written requests or questions by email to the Clerk so we have a record and can respond appropriately.

INFORMATION ON RECYCLED ASPHALT PAVEMENT (RAP)

Gary Hague, Environmental Health Manager, from Clear Creek County met with the town staff to discuss the recycled asphalt millings (RAP). Gary informed the staff that OSHA does not classify RAP as dangerous, and there are no uses that are advised against. He explained that we do not live in an area that has an acid rain concerns and therefore, the runoff levels from the millings are not a threat. He said that it would take approximately the amount of 94 bathtubs full, in a confined space, for long periods of time, before causing any potential health concerns. Gary provided the town staff with a study completed by the EPA which stated that the RAP must have extended exposure to a strong heat source to create toxic levels. However, the exposure to sunlight does not generate enough heat to create these levels. According to the EPA report, if anything is leached from the asphalt millings, it would be below limit values for drinking water and pose a limited risk. He stated that everything has a level of toxicity including water, however, the EPA and the county look at the acceptable levels, and therefore are not concerned with RAP use or long-term storage.

According to the U.S Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration, environmental stewardship is designated as a major focus area of the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) strategic plan. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), environmental stewardship is the responsibility for environmental quality shared by all those whose actions affect the environment. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) supports and promotes the use of recycled highway materials in pavement construction in an effort to preserve the natural environment, reduce waste, and provide a cost-effective material for constructing highways. In fact, the primary objective is to encourage the use of recycled materials in the construction of highways to the maximum economical and practical extent possible with equal or improved performance. As part of the FHWA recycled materials policy, the FHWA actively promotes asphalt pavement recycling and technology.

MSDS for Recycled Asphalt Pavement (RAP)

Our 2021 Consumer Confidence Report for Drinking Water Quality is available to view in Town Hall or online by clicking here.

A public hearing was conducted on Thursday, Jul 15th, 2021 for informing citizens and soliciting public input, written or oral, regarding the Town of Empire Well & Water Treatment Improvements Project and Preliminary Engineering Report (PER). Rob Anderson, our engineer from JVA, presented the information and also left the large plan drawings for us to keep in Town Hall. The PER is a report detailing the project consisting of proposed well improvements including a new drilled well and treatment, and improvements to the current slow sand filtration system. Total project costs are estimated at $2.1 million. The report is being submitted to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to qualify the Town of Empire for a State Revolving Fund Loan. Copies of the Preliminary Engineering Report are available for public review at Empire Town Hall or by clicking on the links below:

PER for the Empire Well Improvements

PER for the Empire Water Treatment Plant Improvements

Latest Happenings

The Town of Empire is holding hybrid meetings where the Board of Trustees and the public can be present at Town Hall but can also attend and make comments remotely. Meeting times and access codes are always posted on this Website, on the door of Town Hall, and at the Post Office. Everyone is welcome to come in or tune in.