Where does Larimer County’s Gravel Come From?
Larimer County generally sources its gravel from the Strang Pit, a 160-acre County-owned gravel quarry in southeast Fort Collins. It has been in operation since 1977.
When it is more cost-effective, the County purchases gravel from commercial sources.
How is the gravel made?
The Strang Pit is in gravel and cobble deposited by the Poudre River. This deposit creates a good source of roadway gravel after it is processed. The County takes the steps below to turn the river deposit into gravel aggregate for non-paved roads:
Excavation – Gravel and cobble are excavated from the ground.
Processing – The gravel and cobble are then processed by crushing and mixing into the road surface material that meets desired specifications.

Application – The finished gravel is used exclusively for maintaining Larimer County roads. It is not sold.
Annual Production: Each year, approximately 40,000 tons of gravel are produced at the Strang Pit for road maintenance purposes.
Why Use a County-Owned Gravel Source?
Using our own aggregate source provides several key benefits:
✔ Lower Costs – The County avoids purchasing gravel from commercial suppliers, reducing costs and protecting against price fluctuations. These savings benefit Larimer County residents.
✔ Reliable Supply – A county-owned aggregate source reduces Larimer County’s dependence on outside suppliers.
✔ Efficient Operations – On-site processing allows the County to produce aggregate that is best suited for road surfacing, whereas most commercially available aggregate is developed for use underneath pavement.
Challenges of Transporting Gravel
While operating the Strang Pit has its advantages, there are also challenges:
Long Hauling Distances – Some roads, especially in the western part of the county, are over 50 miles from the Strang Pit. Transporting gravel over such distances increases road maintenance costs.
Road Wear & Tear – Frequent hauling puts more strain on County roads, leading to additional maintenance needs, which can reduce the overall cost savings.
Because of these reasons, Larimer County is looking for other aggregate sources that will provide the opportunity to better maintain roads in western Larimer County. Additionally, sourcing aggregate closer to the roads requiring maintenance has the added benefit of reducing haul distances and truck traffic, as well as the associated emissions.

The Future of the Strang Pit
Given the current operational level, supply at the Strang Pit should last until approximately 2060. Once extraction is complete, the site will be closed and reclaimed per County and State regulations.
Learn More about planning for future aggregate supply.
Learn More about current activities to find new gravel sources.