Top Grease Trap Cleaning in Fort Collins, Colorado Ranked

For any restaurant, café, or food service establishment in Fort Collins, proper grease trap and interceptor maintenance is not just a best practice-it's a legal requirement enforced by the city and local sanitation districts. Effective management of Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) is critical to preventing costly sewer blockages, environmental harm, and significant fines. This guide outlines the specific regulations, costs, and best practices for keeping your commercial kitchen compliant and your operations running smoothly in the Northern Colorado region.

Fuzion Field Services

2435 2nd Ave, Greeley, CO 80631

Fuzion Field Services is based in Fort Collins, CO, offering a wide range of sanitation and environmental services for commercial and residential clients. Their services include grease trap and interceptor cleaning, hydrovac and hydro jetting, dumpster rentals, portable toilet and handwash station rentals, scrap metal recycling, and potable water transportation. The company operates a fleet of hydrovac trucks available 24/7, serving industries such as construction, public utilities, food and beverage, and breweries. Fuzion also provides environmental spill cleanup and wastewater treatment, supporting safe and efficient work environments.

4.7

382 Reviews

Suc N Up LLC

1580 County Rd 20 1/2, Longmont, CO 80504

Suc N Up LLC is a grease trap cleaning company based in Denver, CO, serving a wide range of surrounding counties including Larimer, Weld, Boulder, and others. They specialize in grease trap cleaning and lift station maintenance, using specialized equipment to ensure proper waste removal and system functionality. With over 20 years of experience, Suc N Up is known for its relationship-driven approach and commitment to availability, offering 24/7 service to address client needs promptly.

4.5

114 Reviews

Front Range Septic

25461 Co Rd 64, Greeley, CO 80631

Front Range Septic is a family-owned company based near Fort Collins, CO, serving Greeley, Loveland, Windsor, and surrounding Weld and Larimer counties. They provide commercial and residential septic tank pumping, grease trap cleaning, vault pumping, system maintenance, hydro jetting, and line scoping. With over 15 years of experience and ownership by the Carson family since 2019, they focus on educating customers about proper maintenance. The company offers after-hours emergency service as noted in customer reviews.

4.5

18 Reviews

All Pro Septic Pumping

fort collins

All Pro Septic Pumping is a full-service company based in Fort Collins, CO, serving Northern Colorado. They offer a range of services including septic tank pumping, grease trap pumping, grease interceptor cleaning, and inspection reports for real estate transactions. The company is licensed in Larimer and Weld Counties and serves multiple communities along the Front Range, such as Fort Collins, Loveland, Windsor, and Greeley.

3.7

6 Reviews

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Understanding Fort Collins Grease Trap Regulations

Fort Collins operates under a strict FOG control program managed by the City Utilities department and the South Fort Collins Sanitation District (SFCSD). These rules are designed to protect the public sewer system from clogs and overflows, which can lead to expensive repairs and environmental damage^{1 2}.

The cornerstone of local regulation is the 33% capacity rule. Your grease interceptor or trap must be pumped by a registered hauler before the combined FOG and solid waste in the inlet chamber exceeds 33% of the chamber's volume^{1 3}. While a minimum pumping frequency of every 90 days (quarterly) is often cited, your actual schedule must be frequent enough to never breach this limit. Many high-volume kitchens require service monthly or even bi-weekly^{4 5}.

Key Compliance Requirements:

• Use Authorized Haulers: All grease waste must be removed by a hauler registered or certified with the local sanitation authority^{1 5}.
• Meticulous Record Keeping: You are required to maintain detailed logs of every pumping service, including dates, hauler information, volumes removed, and disposal receipts. These records must be available for inspection^{1 3}.
• Adopt Best Management Practices (BMPs): Implementing BMPs is mandatory. This includes training staff, using sink strainers, scraping plates before washing, and employing dry cleanup methods to minimize FOG entering the drains^{1 6}.

The Cost of Grease Trap Pumping Services

Budgeting for regular grease trap maintenance is a predictable operational cost, while neglecting it can lead to unpredictable and severe financial penalties.

For standard, scheduled pumping service in the Fort Collins area, restaurants can expect to pay between $250 and $400 per service visit^{7 8}. This is a baseline cost that can fluctuate based on several key factors:

• Trap Size and Type: Larger capacity interceptors (common for high-volume restaurants) cost more to pump than smaller under-sink grease traps.
• Accessibility: Traps with buried lids, those located far from service vehicle parking, or in confined basement spaces require more labor and equipment, increasing the price.
• Level of Contamination: Traps that are overly full or contain a high proportion of solidified grease and solids are more labor-intensive to clean thoroughly.

The most significant cost risk is an emergency service call due to a full or overflowing trap. Emergency pumping can cost between $800 and $1,200, not including any potential fines from the city or the cost of repairing sewer backups on your property^{7 8}.

Implementing Effective FOG Best Management Practices

Proactive FOG management starts in the kitchen, not just at the interceptor. A strong BMP program reduces how quickly your trap fills, extends time between pumpings, and ensures overall compliance.

Essential BMPs for Fort Collins Restaurants:

• Employee Training: Consistently train all kitchen and dish staff on proper waste disposal. Emphasize that grease goes in the collection bin, not down the drain.
• Use of Strainers: Install and maintain metal strainers in all sink drains to catch food solids.
• Dry Cleanup: Scrape food scraps from plates, pots, and pans into the trash or compost before rinsing. Use paper towels to wipe down greasy surfaces before washing.
• Proper Disposal: Collect cooled fryer oil and kitchen grease in dedicated, sealed containers for pickup by your used cooking oil or grease hauler.

The City of Fort Collins provides a detailed BMP guide for food service facilities to help establishments build an effective program⁶.

Navigating Inspections and Avoiding Penalties

Fort Collins Utilities conducts regular inspections of food service establishments to verify compliance with FOG regulations^{1 8}. An inspector will review your maintenance records, examine your grease interceptor, and assess your BMP implementation.

Failure to comply can result in:

• Substantial Fines: Penalties for violations can be significant.
• Emergency Plumbing Costs: A clogged main sewer line on your property can cost thousands to repair.
• Administrative Enforcement Orders: The city can mandate specific corrective actions and more frequent pumping at your expense.

The most reliable way to pass an inspection is through consistent, documented maintenance and a trained staff.

A Step-by-Step Guide for Restaurant Managers

1. Identify Your Equipment: Determine if you have a grease trap (smaller, under-sink) or a grease interceptor (larger, in-ground). Know its size and location.
2. Hire a Registered Professional: Contract with a certified grease waste hauler servicing Larimer County. Establish a regular pumping schedule based on your volume and the 33% rule.
3. Train Your Team: Implement BMPs and make FOG management part of your daily kitchen routine.
4. Document Everything: Keep a dedicated binder or digital file for all service receipts, hauler manifests, and internal maintenance logs.
5. Schedule Proactively: Don't wait for an alarm or a smell. Stick to your service schedule and communicate openly with your hauler about your business volume.

Frequently asked questions

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