Republic Services acquires Gallegos Sanitation Inc.

After 61 years of local ownership, Gallegos Sanitation Inc. (GSI) owners Jerry, Arthur and Rudy Gallegos are retiring and have sold the Fort Collins company to Phoenix-based Republic Services, reports the Coloradoan.

The sale was effective Jan. 1; terms were not released.

Kari Gallegos-Doering says in a statement that "Like GSI, Republic is committed to safety service and sustainability, and we are confident that this partnership will help the Front Range and northern Colorado communities in continuing to move forward on important waste diversion and environmental goals.

"The Gallegos family has been honored to serve northern Colorado for 61 years, and we thank the community and our loyal customers for their support," Gallegos-Doering writes.

In a joint letter to customers, Republic and Gallegos officials say no immediate changes will be made to scheduled pickups, delivery dates, billing or equipment.

The main Gallegos office at 1941 Heath Pkwy. in Fort Collins will continue to be the hub for Republic's truck yard, shops and base for local workers.

"We feel really good about this decision for our community," co-owner Rudy Gallegos says in the letter. "Republic Services cares for their people, like we do, and they are committed to safety, service and sustainability. All of these aspects, coupled with their immense stewardship, community giving, diversity and inclusion, impressed us."

Gallegos Sanitation was founded in 1959 when Edward Gallegos and sons Art, Jerry and Rudy formed a part-time lawn mowing and hauling business. According to the Coloradoan, the company grew into a 70-truck fleet of waste and recycling trucks serving Northern Colorado and Southern Wyoming and remains a family affair with three generations of the Gallegos family working for the company.

In 1961, Gallegos introduced the first automated garbage collection truck to the streets of Fort Collins. In 1967, he applied some of his mechanical skills and designed his own cardboard baling mechanism that included many of the design features the company still sees in modern-day baling systems.

Today, Gallegos continues to use innovative technology from GPS and onboard computer systems to new engine and fuel technologies that reduce carbon emissions.