Fill-dirt in Clifton, CO

Expect a wide range because local availability and site access vary; delivered fill-dirt in Clifton often runs roughly $10 to $45 per ton delivered, but prices can be lower or higher depending on quantity and season. Key factors are haul distance from local quarries or pits, your order size, site access (driveway width, overhead obstructions), whether spreading is requested, and moisture/content of the soil.

For general yard grading use a well-graded fill-dirt that contains a mix of sand, silt and small gravel so it compacts tightly; contractors often specify 'compacted fill' in 6-inch lifts. For driveways and building pads in Clifton, consider a structural base (clean crushed rock or engineered fill) under the surface—plain fill-dirt can be used as subgrade if compacted to specs, but it is not a substitute for engineered backfill beneath foundations.

Clifton is in a semi-arid, freeze-thaw climate so frost heave is a real risk if fill-dirt stays wet or is not well drained. To reduce problems, slope grades for positive drainage, avoid placing high-fines fill where water pools, and use a free-draining granular layer under slabs and driveways so water cannot freeze in the soils.

Local fill-dirt typically weighs about 2,400 to 2,800 lbs per cubic yard in this region, so plan on roughly 1.2 to 1.4 tons per cubic yard. That works out to about 90 to 105 lbs per cubic foot; moisture and soil type can change these numbers, so allow a contingency when ordering.

Use engineered fill when you need controlled bearing capacity and settlement limits for foundations—this is usually specified by an engineer for house pads. Clean crushed rock is a better choice for driveways or under slabs because it drains and compacts reliably; fill-dirt is best for bulk grading and raising grade where structural performance is not critical.

Loose or uncompacted fill-dirt will settle and shift over months to years, so expect periodic regrading and spot top-ups, especially after wet seasons. If you compact properly and add a stabilized driving surface (gravel or crushed rock), maintenance is reduced, but you should still watch for erosion, rutting, and vegetation growth.

Permitting depends on the work: altering drainage, changing lot grades near neighbors, large fills, or work affecting public right-of-way commonly trigger a permit or review by Mesa County or the Town of Clifton. Always check with the local building and planning department (and your HOA if applicable) before moving large volumes of fill so you meet local code and grading requirements.

Hello Gravel typically schedules standard deliveries with at least 2 business days lead time, and next-day delivery may be available for orders placed before noon CST for an extra fee. Minimum order size is 3 tons, and regional sourcing can affect lead time during busy landscaping seasons.

For most residential fills, place fill-dirt in 4 to 6-inch loose lifts and compact each lift with a vibratory plate compactor or walk-behind roller; for larger or deeper fills use a heavier vibratory roller and compact in 6- to 8-inch lifts. For structural fills or building pads, require a compaction specification from an engineer (commonly 90-95% of Standard Proctor) and consider field density tests as work proceeds.

Measure area and depth to get cubic yards (area in sq ft times depth in ft, divided by 27), convert cubic yards to tons using about 1.25 to 1.35 tons per cubic yard, then multiply by your per-ton delivered price and add labor or equipment rental for compaction. Example: a 200 sq ft area at 4 inches deep is 2.96 cubic yards; at 1.3 tons per cubic yard that's about 3.85 tons—multiply by your per-ton price and add compaction costs to estimate total.

Narrow driveways, low-hanging wires, tight turns, steep or unstable slopes, cul-de-sacs with limited turning radius, and on-site parking restrictions can all complicate dump truck delivery and may result in add-on fees or the need for smaller trucks. Provide photos and clear site access notes when ordering so suppliers can plan the right truck and avoid surprises on delivery day.