About Us
Background
Upper Thompson Sanitation District (UTSD) was created in 1971 to bring dependable wastewater treatment to the Estes Valley and help protect the water quality of the Big Thompson River. The original treatment plant and collection system were built with federal, state and local funding, totaling about $5.5 million.
The facility began operating in 1976 and provided wastewater treatment to areas that previously had limited or no service. Since opening, the District has continued to operate and maintain the system through major floods, a fire evacuation and ongoing upgrades that support a growing community.
To learn more about our mission, check out the video below:
Our Team
The District employs 17 full-time staff members, including six administrative employees, five in the collection department, and six operators at the treatment plant. All collection and treatment plant personnel have State of Colorado wastewater certifications.
UTSD policies and operations are governed by a Board of Directors elected by voters within the District.
What We Do
Protect our most precious resource.
Our field crews maintain wastewater infrastructure and test the water we treat to help protect our local waterways.

Test and reclaim the water of the Estes Valley
We test and treat wastewater to remove harmful substances before returning the clean water to the Big Thompson River.

Manage the systems of the treatment facility
We perform daily maintenance and monitoring to make sure all treatment systems work safely and efficiently. This work requires a skilled and dedicated team.

Provide Excellent Customer Service
We serve nearly 5,000 households and maintain 93 miles of wastewater pipes. Our goal is to deliver reliable, high-quality and affordable wastewater services.

To learn more about how the District collects and treats wastewater, explore the links below: