Compost Operations Training Course 2025 - Ft. Collins, CO

11/17/2025 08:00 AM - 11/21/2025 12:30 PM MT

Event Registration is closed.

Location

The CoBank Center for Agricultural Education
4492 E. County Road 56
Fort Collins, CO 80524
United States of America

Summary

Jumpstart or expand your career in the composting industry by taking part in one of the world's most renowned professional training courses. With over 50 trainings historically conducted across the United States, the Compost Operations Training Course (COTC) and its graduates have an outstanding reputation, and many students proclaim it "the best course I've ever taken."

Description

About the COTC
This 5-day course, offered by the Compost Research & Education Foundation (CREF), gives you the knowledge you need to run a successful composting facility, whether you’re just getting started or have been composting for a while. In addition to in-depth lectures by nationally-recognized instructors, you'll gain practical experience through hands-on activities, including a team pile build and monitoring, as well as tours to local facilities, where the theories meet reality. From compost operators to environmental and agricultural consultants to local and state regulators, the COTC is for anyone who wants quality instruction from leading composting professionals and educators on the art and science of commercial-scale compost production and marketing. You can explore Frequently Asked Questions about the COTC here.

The COTC fulfills the training requirements to become a Certified Compost Operations Manager (CCOM)™ or Certified Composting Professional (CCP)™ through the US Composting Council. Learn more about becoming certified here. Note, additional eligibility requirements apply.

PRICING

Registrant Type	USCC Members	Non-Members
Small Business/ Organization/ Small Municipality	$1,450	$1,610
Large Business/ Organization/ State or Large Municipality*	$1,620	$1,760

* Large businesses/organizations/municipalities may generally be considered those with more than $1 million in annual revenue, or which serve more than 1 million constituents.

Registration by Early Bird date (~~Oct. 6~~ Extended to Oct. 20!): $100 off any pricing!

CURRICULUM

Day 1 (7:30 AM - 5 PM): Composting process, feedstocks, recipe development, compost systems

Day 2 (8 AM - 5 PM): Site design, equipment, environmental protection (odors & stormwater), regulations

Day 3 (8 AM - 5 PM): Composting facility tours

Day 4 (8 AM - 5 PM): Compost testing, product quality, compost applications, marketing. Optional happy hour networking event after class.

Day 5 (8 AM - 12 PM): Facility management, troubleshooting, analyzing compost piles

LODGING ACCOMMODATIONS

Hilton Fort Collins
425 West Prospect Road
Fort Collins, Colorado 80526 USA

The group rate of $109/night is available until Nov. 14

Call (800) 768-0605 and ask for the Compost Operations Training Course 2025 room block or reserve using the link below.

Click here to make a reservation online.

Parking is complimentary – please use code: HFCGP

POLICIES

The following forms are essential reading before signing up for the COTC. By registering for the course, you agree to the following:

For more information on the training, you can explore Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the COTC here, or contact Kelsea Jacobsen if your question isn't addressed on the FAQ page.

Thank you to our local partners

Thank you to our program sponsors

Thank you to our local sponsors

Sponsorship opportunities, including equipment demonstrations, are available for this course! To become a COTC local sponsor, contact Jamie Blanchard-Poling at jamie@compostqueenfc.com or (714) 400-8738.

Transportation for our training is sponsored in part through CharterUP. They offer private group transportation nationally, including hotspots such as San Jose, Chicago, and Houston.