LARIMER COUNTY - An asphalt plant northwest of Fort Collins is being criticized by a group of residents concerned about a permit that would keep the plant in place for years to come.
The group, Citizens Against Asphalt Toxins, will show up to a "listening session" Wednesday night in masks and bandanas to show they don't want toxins they say are being emitted by the plant.
"Some of these actually cause cancer, particularly the organic compounds," said Dr. Kevin Pass, a Fort Collins dentist who lives near the plant.
"We are really concerned about public health," he added.
The plant is run by Martin Marietta Materials.
"We're not gonna put anybody in danger," said David Lemesany with Martin Marietta.
"Our emissions are highly regulated by the state of Colorado and the EPA, and we conform to all of those," said Lemesany.
Martin Marietta has owned the facility since 2011. By law, they must apply for an Air Permit through the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to stay longer.
The company would stay for seven to 15 years if they're granted the permit, said Lemesany.
"These people are just trying to make money on the backs of our children's health," said Pass.
"Just 2,000 feet to the south of us is Lincoln Middle School, and as you can see, the smoke is being blown that way now," added Pass.
Company officials say they are located northwest of Fort Collins because it is the location where rocks and sand are extracted for asphalt.
"There are about 25 asphalt plants up and down the front range of Colorado in highly populated areas," said Lemesany.
(KUSA-TV © 2014 Multimedia Holdings Corporation)
