Greater efficiency a key benefit of upcoming soils lab expansion

Published on December 23, 2025

An important lab, assisting with county road projects since the early 2000s, is getting a makeover. In 2026, the soils lab in Weld County’s Department of Public Works will be expanded to accommodate new, specialized equipment for in-house asphalt testing.

The project, awarded by the board of commissioners last week to Swift Builders LLC for just over $369,000, will see the lab grow from approximately 500 square feet to approximately 1,850 square feet.

The expansion follows years of success for the soils lab. Well before a road is constructed or improved — sometimes years in advance — staff in the lab test the soil a road will sit on for its strength, determining how much compaction effort will be needed during construction,  the soil’s material properties and several other characteristics, ensuring it is strong enough to withstand the weight of the road and traffic. This effort continues during a project and has benefited county-constructed projects as well as those of outside contractors, when necessary, as staff run follow-up tests to help the soil meet its needed compaction level. This work has been recognized at the state level, as the lab has consistently received high testing marks from the Colorado Department of Transportation. The lab is also working toward gaining accreditation from the American Association of State and Highway Transportation Officials.   

The biggest benefit of the in-house lab is the time and money saved versus outside testing. Soil sample results can be found in a matter of days — sometimes even the same day — compared to weeks when using an outside company.

Now, with the lab expansion, that same efficiency can be brought to asphalt testing.

“Material that meets strength, compaction, and other quality requirements helps ensure improvements are the highest quality and built to last, getting the most out of taxpayer dollars,” said Perry Buck, Weld County Commissioner Chair. “Given the positive results we’ve seen with our lab, it only makes sense to extend that efficiency to asphalt testing.”

“Being able to test asphalt in-house will bring greater efficiency to our road projects, which benefits the traveling public. Existing staff in the lab will be trained on the new equipment, which only adds to their expertise,” said Curtis Hall, Director of the Weld County Department of Public Works. “It’s exciting to see how this expansion will be beneficial years from now, just like when the lab was originally constructed.” 

Learn more about the soils lab in the County Roots newsletter.