Expanded Waste Collection Services

The cost of Denver’s trash collection services is not fully covered by the property taxes paid by its 180,000 trash customers. The cost of collection services is covered by the City’s General Fund, which includes all residential property taxes, including residents who don’t receive city trash collection services, property taxes from commercial properties who also don’t receive city collection services, and sales and use tax revenue paid for by everyone in Denver, including visitors.

The volume-based trash fee initiative shifts the cost of collection services to the residents receiving the services, eventually freeing up General Fund dollars for programs and services that benefit all residents. Moving to a volume-based pricing system will also allow for enhanced and expanded services such as weekly recycling and composting collection.

Weekly compost collections will begin in July 2023. Service will be phased in by trash district every couple months as we get through the city. Gradually phasing in our weekly compost service will allow us to better educate and coordinate with residents, mitigate contamination, and allow our collection routes to grow with the service. We will reach out directly to residents within each district before their service begins with resources to help them prepare. Until compost service begins, no action is needed, residents will continue to receive the Phased Service Roll-out Credit on their invoice.

If you are a current compost customer or not filling up your trash cart on a weekly basis, here's how to downsize your cart:

1. Manage your cart through your Denver Utilities Online account

2. Request a cart exchange online

• Select Category: Trash/Recycle/Compost Collection or Cart Issue
• Select Upsize/Downsize Cart

3. Request a cart exchange by calling 311

4. Exchange in person at the Cart Maintenance Facility:

          2013 South Osage St.

          Denver, Co 80223

Tuesday-Saturday, 8am-2pm

Residents MUST bring their current cart to swap at the Cart Maintenance Facility

The fee applies to the approximately 180,000 households that receive trash collection services from the City and County of Denver, specifically, single-family homes and residential buildings with up to seven units.

As composting service rolls out citywide beginning in the summer, customers will receive a $3 monthly "Phased Service Roll-out Credit" totaling $9 on their quarterly bill, until their compost cart arrives and they can divert more of their trash.

Customers who were previously part of the composting program will continue to receive compost collection service and will not receive the credit.

Cart size requests will be completed as quickly as possible. Customers that request a new cart, but receive an invoice before receiving their new cart, will only be responsible for the cost of the new cart they requested and can look out for an updated invoice. If the invoice is paid for the larger cart, there will be a credit on the next bill. Customers can track these changes and manage their account through Denver Utilities Online or wait for the updated invoice. 

If residents are filling up their current trash cart, we recommend waiting for compost service to begin before downsizing. In the meantime, customers will receive a credit of $3 per month, so $9 total, on their quarterly bill until their compost cart arrives and they can divert more of their trash.

Ready to exchange your cart?

Yes. Denver will be one of only a few cities in the United States that provides a discount on trash services for low-income households. Eligibility for the instant rebate will be based on household income and the number of people in the home, according to the Area Median Income table(PDF, 144KB). Customers will be able to register for the instant rebate before the new service begins. Renters are eligible to apply for the rebate as well. 

Check eligibility and apply now

Pay Online

After setting up your account on Denver Utilities Online, you will be able to enter your credit/debit card or bank account information to pay online.

Pay by Check/Mail/Money Order

Instructions for paying by mail are included on your invoice. 

1. Make your check payable to “Manager of Finance”
2. Write your account number in the memo line of your check
3. Fill out the payment slip on your invoice and mail it in with your check.
4. Send in a stamped envelope to:

   City and County of Denver
   P.O. Box 735644
   Dallas, TX 75373-5644

Owners of multi-unit buildings will receive a service charge for each unit in the building. A unit with no trash cart assigned will be charged the minimum, $9 monthly fee. We encourage multi-unit buildings to share carts when possible. 

Customers who want only trash service can request to have their composting and/or recycling carts taken away, but this will not change the amount they pay for collection service, which is based on the size of their trash cart. We encourage customers who are new to composting to try the service for at least a few months to see if it can work for their household.

Learn about Composting

Small multi-unit buildings that contract with private haulers for trash services are still subject to the trash service fee.

Neighbors (particularly in duplexes or multifamily complexes) may share carts, but each resident will continue to pay for collection. The resident with the carts will be charged for a small, medium or large trash cart; other residents will need to pay at least the minimum fee of $9/month. Fees have been set based on the cost of collection services at all eligible homes, and all eligible residences must pay the fee or be covered by a rebate.

Property owners, not tenants, are responsible for this new invoice. If payment is not made, the property will become eligible for a lien, similar to nonpayment for the Wastewater Storm Drainage bill.

Yes, property owners may assign tenants as the “bill-to” contact on the account so that the renters are able to log in and submit payment online. Tenants can also pay via check. Please be aware that if a tenant fails to pay, the property will be subject to a lien after $200 and 90 days past due. 

We encourage renters to tell their landlord what size cart they want to use. If a landlord requires a renter pay for trash service and the renter needs financial assistance doing so, the renter can apply for the instant rebate program. Renters requiring other kinds of financial assistance can apply for financial aid from the Temporary Rent and Utility Assistance program. 

Yard debris and food scraps go in the compost cart, among other items.

In fact, nearly half of what goes into people’s household trash is compostable, so by utilizing a compost cart for yard debris and food scraps instead of throwing it in the trash, most households will be able to downsize to a smaller trash cart and pay a lower fee. 

Please call 311 or submit a complaint online to report illegal dumping as quickly as possible so that the City can send someone out to inspect the situation. One way to avoid illegal dumping is by storing carts properly between collection days, out of the right of way and on your property.

There are many ways to reduce household waste. We strongly encourage residents to Refuse, Reuse, Reduce and then Recycle and Compost:

• Refuse, Reduce, and Reuse: Small steps, such as refusing single-use bags at checkout, opting out of junk mail, and filling reusable water bottles, help to prevent waste before it starts. Learn more about waste prevention. 
• Prevent Food Waste: The average Denver resident wastes 4.2 pounds of food each week, much of which is preventable. Find tips and inspiration to cut down your food waste. 
• Donate: Give ‘stuff’ another chance by donating instead of trashing it. Learn more here and search the Recycling Directory for donation options near you. 
• Recycle: For waste that can’t be prevented in the first place, recycling is a great option. Find the full recycling program guidelines. 
• Compost: Almost 50% of what Denver throws away is compostable material including food scraps, yard debris, and non-recyclable paper such as paper towels and napkins. Check the Denver Composts guidelines for a complete list of acceptable materials. 

Not sure what items should go in what container? Test your sorting skills virtually with the Denver Recycles Waste Sorting Game!

When you are ready to downsize your cart, visit your account online to request one.