Waste Connections provides trash and recycling services to the City of Lone Tree.
Gina Chacon has become known as a local legend. She has been a part of the Lone Tree community as a trash hauler for over 15 years and during that time has built a reputation for her smiling face, positive attitude, and love for the community. When asked how she likes to title her role, she says she considers herself a “garbologist”.
While Gina was born in Denver, she was raised in Taos, New Mexico. “Growing up I played 6 sports through 1st grade until graduation.” She loves Haribo Gummy Bears, popcorn, and chocolate. She’s also a huge sports fan- “I love ALL of our home teams. I am a competitive person by nature and I like to consider my job throwing trash to be somewhat of a competitive sport as well!”
“I have been throwing trash for 22 years total,” Gina said. “I can’t see myself doing anything else. I love being outside and you can’t beat getting paid to work out! The most challenging is definitely the weather elements. When it snows the trash trucks are like giant sleds in the snow so it makes it hard to maneuver and stressful to not get stuck. The heat doesn’t bother me so much.”
When asked what her highlights are working in Lone Tree, Gina says “My favorite memories of working in Lone Tree are being able to watch the babies on my route grow into teens who now drive. Or watching the current kids get excited to see me on their trash day. I love that my Lone Tree community is more like family to me. We all look out for each other. It’s like we have a great dance partnership where no one steps on each other’s toes!”
Even after 22 years on the job, Gina still loves her work, “The most exciting part of my job is that no matter the day I always encounter something new. Whether it’s a new customer, or just taking a few minutes to talk to my customers that come out to say hi. Plus I like to think that I play a little part in keeping our community looking nice and staying clean.”
Gina will celebrate 16 years in Lone Tree this March. She works for Waste Connections, the trash hauler contracted with the City to provide trash and recycling services at no cost to our single-family households.
Gina Chacon, Waste Connections Trash Hauler (and local legend).