When that Pumpkin on your Stoop begins to Droop, Bring it to Us!

Published on November 01, 2024

Large pile of leaves and bags of leaves ready for composting

LeafDrop Sites are open the next three weekends and weekdays through November; We’ll turn your jack o’ lanterns and fallen leaves into compost

DENVER – Denver’s Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI) is encouraging residents to give their fallen leaves and pumpkins a second life by donating them to be turned into compost through our annual LeafDrop program. In addition to offering three weekday drop-off sites, DOTI now has five weekend drop sites open tomorrow through November 17.

Composting is nature’s way of recycling and returning valuable organic matter and nutrients to soil to be used again to help plants thrive. Compost created through Denver’s LeafDrop Program is made available to Denver residents in the spring.

On Saturdays and Sundays from November 2 to November 17, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Denver residents can drop off their leaves and pumpkins for free at the following weekend locations:

  • Cherry Creek Transfer Station* – 7301 E. Jewell Ave. (enter on E. Jewell Ave.)
  • Bruce Randolph High School – E. 40th Ave. and Steele St.
  • Kennedy High School – Newland St. and Brown Pl.
  • Sloan’s Lake Northwest Parking Lot – W. Byron Pl. and Yates St.
  • Veterans Park – S. Vine St. and E. Iowa Ave.

Three other LeafDrop locations are open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and also Saturday, November 30.

  • Cherry Creek Transfer Station* – 7301 E. Jewell Ave. (enter on E. Jewell Ave.)
  • Havana Nursery – 10450 Smith Rd. (enter on Smith Road)
  • Central Platte Campus – 1271 W. Bayaud Ave. (Enter through the gates at Bayaud and Navajo, go past the Denver Animal Shelter to dumpsters in front of Building 2 on the right.)

Note that the Cherry Creek Transfer Station is the only site that accepts loose leaves and hitched trailers (6 ft in length or less); otherwise, leaves should be bagged. Residents can download a coupon to receive a free five-pack of compostable paper leaf bags at participating Ace Hardware stores while supplies last. Leaves dropped off in plastic bags must be emptied on site. 

Here are a few more helpful tips:

  • Refrain from including branches or other materials in your leaf bags
  • Don’t use twine or staples to secure paper leaf bags, just roll and crimp
  • Never rake or blow leaves into the street; they can clog our storm sewer inlets and street sweepers.
  • If you are a current city compost customer, you can put leaves and pumpkins in your compost cart!

To learn more about Denver’s LeafDrop Program, please visit denvergov.org/leafdrop.