Keeping your leaves off the street and turning them into compost.
Cooler weather has quickly arrived and the leaves are beginning to fall earlier this year in Denver. So, let the annual ritual of raking, mulching and composting leaves begin! Denver Recycles’ LeafDrop program began on October 5th, providing Denver residents the opportunity to reuse and recycle their leaves this fall.
Residents are encouraged to reuse and recycle their leaves by digging them into the garden, composting them or using a lawn mower to mulch small amounts into their lawns. This adds nutrients and helps the soil retain much needed moisture.
Denver residents that can't reuse all their leaves at home can bring them for recycling to one of the Sunday only or Weekday only drop-off sites listed below. Then residents can help to close the recycling loop next spring by reclaiming their leaves in the form of rich compost at the Denver Recycles’ annual Treecycle Mulch Giveaway and LeafDrop Compost Sale.
Weekday Drop-off Options
Open now through December 4th, 7:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Closed weekends and holidays.
Residents can drop off bagged leaves only at these sites.
Havana Nursery - 10450 Smith Road, just south of I-70 on Havana
Denver Solid Waste Transfer Station – 7301 E Jewell Ave. (Quebec St. & Cherry Creek South Dr.)
Sunday Drop-off Options
Sunday, November 1, 8, & 15
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Northwest: Sloan’s Lake Park – 17th Ave. at Sheridan Blvd.
- Southwest: John F. Kennedy High School – Newland St. & Brown Pl.
- East Central: Cranmer Park – 3rd Ave. & Clermont St.
- Southeast: South High School – Louisiana Ave. & Franklin St.
- Northeast: Smiley Middle School – 26th Ave. & Holly St.
Brown Bag Them & Go!
Residents can save their plastic trash bags and Denver Recycles’ time by brining their leaves in paper yard debris bags. Unlike plastic bags, brown paper bags can be composted with leaves. Many hardware, home improvement and department stores sell paper yard debris bags. Or even better, bring your leaves in reusable containers or tarps that we can empty and give back to you.
Important Reminders
- Do NOT drop leaves at these sites except during the times and dates specified.
- LeafDrop is only for Denver residents.
- No branches or other wastes, please.
- In case of bad weather, call 720-865-6810 to check for cancellation.
For more information visit www.DenverGov.org/DenverRecycles or call 720-865-6810.
The Denver LeafDrop is a leaf collection and composting program designed to keep recyclable organic waste out of area landfills and off our streets. It is sponsored annually by Denver Recycles, a program of Denver Public Works/Solid Waste Management in cooperation with A1 Organics.