Glenwood springs creates a “war chest” to fight quarry expansion.

The city of Glenwood Springs, Colo., allocated $250,000 toward its effort to prevent the expansion of a local quarry and set aside another $1 million in a reserve war chest, according to The Colorado Sun.

The funding represents the first time the city has developed a public affairs campaign against a local business, and the newspaper reports it did so with the unanimous support of council members, trustees, and commissioners representing the county commission as well as eight local communities.

At issue is Rocky Mountain Resources’ request to expand its Mid-Continent Limestone Quarry from 15.7 acres to 447 acres. Currently, it operates seasonal operations and can produce up to 60,000 tons of limestone per year. It is seeking a federal permit from the Bureau of Land Management to allow it to produce year-round with annual tonnages up to 5 million. It is asking for permission to use up to 30 semi trucks, each making 15 to 20 daily roundtrips between the operation and a rail yard.

“I don’t think citizens have a problem with us spending their money on health and safety issues for things that are a threat to our town,” Glenwood Springs Mayor Jonathan Godes told The Colorado Sun. “And this proposal, this is a 100-percent threat to our town. It’s a threat to everything we are.”