Denver, CO trash pickup schedule

Denver trash and recycling: who collects, how often, how to find your pickup day, and what changes on holidays in 2026.

Population 740,613 (Census 2025 estimate)Last checked October 30, 2026Not affiliated with any city, county or hauler.

Contents10 sections

Quick answer

Who collects	The city collects City and County of Denver Solid Waste Management (DOTI) serves residential homes of seven or fewer units; larger apartment buildings and businesses use private haulers (Universal Recycling and Composting Ordinance).¹⁷
How often	Trash weekly, recycling every other week, yard waste weekly¹³⁶
Set out	between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. on service day (carts may go out the night before)²
Your pickup day	Address lookup: denvergov.org. App: Denver Trash and Recycling (ReCollect) · Look up your day here
Holiday	Veterans Day, Wed, Nov 11, 2026: No change. Working holiday²

Bulk items: Set collection days (details). Drop-off sites: 2 listed (hours and fees).

Denver holiday trash schedule 2026

City’s rule	On observed holidays Solid Waste is closed; when service falls on or after an observed holiday, collection is delayed one day for the rest of that week only. No delay for working holidays.²
Official notice	denvergov.org²

Denver trash pickup on holidays, 2026
Holiday	Date	Pickup	What the city says
New Year's Day	Thu, Jan 1, 2026	Delayed one day	Observed holiday: Thursday, January 1²
Martin Luther King Jr. Day	Mon, Jan 19, 2026	No change	Working holiday²
Presidents' Day	Mon, Feb 16, 2026	No change	Working holiday²
César Chávez Day	Mon, Mar 30, 2026	No change	Working holiday (Si Se Puede Day)²
Memorial Day	Mon, May 25, 2026	Delayed one day	Observed holiday: Monday, May 25²
Juneteenth	Fri, Jun 19, 2026	No change	Working holiday²
Independence Day (Fourth of July)	Fri, Jul 3, 2026	Delayed one day	Independence Day (Observed): Friday, July 3; Cherry Creek drop-off closed Friday and Saturday²
Labor Day	Mon, Sep 7, 2026	Delayed one day	Observed holiday: Monday, September 7²
Indigenous Peoples' Day	Mon, Oct 12, 2026	No change	Working holiday²
Veterans Day	Wed, Nov 11, 2026	No change	Working holiday²
Thanksgiving Day	Thu, Nov 26, 2026	Changes; see details	Modified week Nov 23-27: trash and scheduled recycling only, crews run Monday-Wednesday. Monday and Tuesday customers set out by 6 a.m. Mon Nov 23 (collected Mon-Tue); Wednesday customers by 6 a.m. Tue Nov 24; Thursday customers by 6 a.m. Wed Nov 25. Compost suspended for the week; Large Item Pickup moves to the same day the following week (week of Nov 30); Cherry Creek drop-off closed Nov 26-30.²
Christmas Day	Fri, Dec 25, 2026	Delayed one day	Christmas Day: Friday, December 25 (observed holiday); Cherry Creek drop-off closed Friday and Saturday²

Check your own day for the next three holidays with the holiday delay checker, or download a pickup calendar.

Sources: Trash, Recycle, Compost: Collection Schedules and Guidelin… Last checked October 30, 2026 Report a change

Bulk trash pickup in Denver

How it works	Set collection days Large Item Pickup every 9 weeks on the regular trash day; find the date in the app or online lookup.⁹
How to request	No booking: set items out by 6 a.m. on your scheduled Large Item Pickup day (every 9 weeks, same weekday as trash); find the date via the online lookup or the Denver Trash and Recycling app. Loose items in bags no larger than 32 gal / 50 lb; mattresses and box springs must be bagged and wrapped. Appliances: free collection by appointment via 311.³⁹
Limits	Up to 5 large items and 10 bags (bags max 32 gal / 50 lb) per address per pickup; up to 10 branch bundles⁹
Fees	Not published by the city (official page)
Accepted	Furniture, large toys, non-electric bicycles, rugs, exercise equipment, bundled branches (max 4 ft x 4 in), mattresses and box springs (bagged and wrapped)⁹
Not accepted	Electronic waste⁹ Construction materials (concrete, bricks, fencing, pallets)⁹ Automotive materials⁹ Unbundled branches, stumps, dirt, sod⁹ Commercial and industrial waste⁹ Hazardous materials (paint, batteries, tires)⁹ Appliances (separate appointment)⁹ Loose trash⁹

Sources: Trash - City and County of Denver, Large Item Pickup - City and County of Denver Last checked October 30, 2026 Report a change

Recycling in Denver

Pickup	every other week⁶
Type	single-stream¹
Glass	accepted in cart⁵
Plastics	#1-#6 containers only (bottles, tubs, jugs, jars, cups)⁶

Accepted

Plastic containers: bottles, tubs, jugs, jars, cups (empty)⁵
Aluminum and steel/tin cans, clean balled foil, aluminum trays⁵
Glass bottles and jars⁵
Flattened cardboard and paperboard, cartons (Tetra Pak), non-greasy pizza boxes⁵
Paper: mail, office paper, magazines, newspapers, paper bags, coffee cups⁵

Not accepted

Plastic bags and film (Denver's #1 contaminant); never bag recycling⁵
Items smaller than 2 inches⁵
Styrofoam and packing peanuts⁵
Hoses and Christmas lights (tanglers)⁵
Shredded paper⁵
Window glass, mirrors, ceramics, bakeware, light bulbs⁵
Scrap metal, propane tanks, pots and pans, hangers⁵

Programs

Second recycling cart free on request⁶

Sources: Trash, Recycle & Compost - City and County of Denver, Accepted for Recycling - City and County of Denver, Recycling Service - City and County of Denver Last checked October 30, 2026 Report a change

Yard waste, food scraps and seasonal pickups

Yard waste pickup	Yes Yard debris goes in the green compost cart (opt-in, no extra cost); branch bundles also taken at Large Item Pickup.⁸
Season	year-round (weekly compost cart)⁸
How often	weekly¹
Rules	Green compost cart (large size only): leaves, grass, plant trimmings, weeds, flowers and small branches (unbundled, max 4 ft long, 4 in diameter, 50 lb per piece); brown kraft paper yard/leaf bags (30-40 gal) accepted without tape or twine; no dirt, sod, rocks, mulch, logs or stumps. Branch bundles (max 10 per household, each max 4 ft x 4 in and 50 lb, tied) are collected at Large Item Pickup. Note: the Trash page FAQ says not to put branches in any city cart, while the compost pages accept small unbundled branches in the green cart.³⁷
Food scraps	Yes: food scraps (incl. meat, bones, dairy) and food-soiled paper in the green compost cart; bags optional, only CMA-certified compostable bags of 3 gallons or less (plus paper yard waste bags)⁷
Christmas trees	2025-26 season (last published): Treecycle drop-off Dec 29 - Jan 30 weekdays 8 a.m.-2 p.m. at Cherry Creek Transfer Station, Havana Nursery and Central Platte Campus, plus Saturday sites Jan 3, 10, 17; trees set out at Large Item Pickup are collected but not mulched. 2026-27 dates not yet published.¹²
Leaf collection	LeafDrop 2026: weekday drop sites Oct 5 - Nov 25, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. (Cherry Creek Transfer Station 7301 E. Jewell Ave.; 3685 Havana St.; Central Platte Campus 1271 W. Bayaud Ave.); weekend sites Nov 7-8, 14-15, 21-22, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Paper bags only. Compost customers can put loose leaves in the green cart.¹³
Other	Recycle Your Holiday Lights: free holiday-lights recycling program (dates not on the overview page)¹⁵

Sources: Trash, Recycle & Compost - City and County of Denver, Trash - City and County of Denver, How to Compost - City and County of Denver, Start Composting Today! - City and County of Denver, Treecycle - City and County of Denver, LeafDrop and Pumpkin Recycling - City and County of Denver, Seasonal Programs - City and County of Denver Last checked October 30, 2026 Report a change

Drop-off sites: landfill, recycling and hazardous waste

Cherry Creek Recycling and Compost Drop-off

Type	Recycling center
Run by	The city
Address	7400 Cherry Creek S Dr, Denver, CO 80231 · Map¹⁰
Hours	Tue-Fri 9:00am-12:00pm and 1:00pm-4:30pm; Sat 8:00am-12:00pm and 1:00pm-3:00pm; closed Sun, Mon and City holidays¹⁰
Fees	free¹⁰
Who can use it	Denver residents only; proof of residency required; 2 visits per day¹⁰
Accepts	curbside recycling and compost materials, branches (4 ft / 4 in)¹⁰

Household Hazardous Waste At-Your-Door (WM at-your-door program)

Type	Household hazardous waste
Run by	The city
Address	pickup at your home by appointment¹¹
Hours	set out bag by 7 a.m. on appointment day; schedule at 1-800-449-7587 or wmatyourdoor.com¹¹
Fees	$15 co-payment per appointment; excess materials extra¹¹
Who can use it	Denver residents; one appointment per calendar year¹¹

Item guides: Mattress · Couch and furniture · Appliances · Paint · Batteries · Electronics · Tires · Motor oil · Christmas tree.

Sources: Cherry Creek Recycling and Compost Drop-off - City and Cou…, Household Hazardous Waste At-Your-Door - City and County o… Last checked October 30, 2026 Report a change

Missed pickup and contacts

Missed pickup form	denvergov.my.site.com³
Phone	311 (outside Denver 720-913-1311)²
311	311²
Official website	denvergov.org¹

Sources: Trash, Recycle & Compost - City and County of Denver, Trash, Recycle, Compost: Collection Schedules and Guidelin…, Trash - City and County of Denver Last checked October 30, 2026 Report a change

Nearby cities

All Colorado cities: Colorado trash pickup schedules.

Denver trash pickup FAQ

What day is trash picked up in Denver?

Trash is collected weekly. Denver does not use one citywide day: your day depends on your address. Look it up with the city’s address lookup (denvergov.org) or the Denver Trash and Recycling (ReCollect) app.

Is trash picked up on Thanksgiving Day 2026 in Denver?

Thanksgiving Day falls on Thu, Nov 26, 2026. Changes; see details: Modified week Nov 23-27: trash and scheduled recycling only, crews run Monday-Wednesday. Monday and Tuesday customers set out by 6 a.m. Mon Nov 23 (collected Mon-Tue); Wednesday customers by 6 a.m. Tue Nov 24; Thursday customers by 6 a.m. Wed Nov 25. Compost suspended for the week; Large Item Pickup moves to the same day the following week (week of Nov 30); Cherry Creek drop-off closed Nov 26-30.

Is trash picked up on Christmas Day 2026 in Denver?

Christmas Day falls on Fri, Dec 25, 2026. Delayed one day: Christmas Day: Friday, December 25 (observed holiday); Cherry Creek drop-off closed Friday and Saturday

Is trash picked up on New Year's Day 2026 in Denver?

New Year's Day falls on Thu, Jan 1, 2026. Delayed one day: Observed holiday: Thursday, January 1

How do I get rid of bulky items in Denver?

Set collection days. No booking: set items out by 6 a.m. on your scheduled Large Item Pickup day (every 9 weeks, same weekday as trash); find the date via the online lookup or the Denver Trash and Recycling app. Loose items in bags no larger than 32 gal / 50 lb; mattresses and box springs must be bagged and wrapped. Appliances: free collection by appointment via 311.

Does Denver recycle glass?

Glass: accepted in cart.

How do I report a missed trash pickup in Denver?

Use the city’s online form (denvergov.my.site.com) or call 311 (outside Denver 720-913-1311).

Sources

1
Trash, Recycle & Compost - City and County of DenverCity · denvergov.org · checked October 30, 2026
2
Trash, Recycle, Compost: Collection Schedules and Guidelines - City and County of DenverCity · denvergov.org · checked October 30, 2026
3
Trash - City and County of DenverCity · denvergov.org · checked October 30, 2026
4
Recycle - City and County of DenverCity · denvergov.org · checked October 30, 2026
5
Accepted for Recycling - City and County of DenverCity · denvergov.org · checked October 30, 2026
6
Recycling Service - City and County of DenverCity · denvergov.org · checked October 30, 2026
7
How to Compost - City and County of DenverCity · denvergov.org · checked October 30, 2026
8
Start Composting Today! - City and County of DenverCity · denvergov.org · checked October 30, 2026
9
Large Item Pickup - City and County of DenverCity · denvergov.org · checked October 30, 2026
10
Cherry Creek Recycling and Compost Drop-off - City and County of DenverCity · denvergov.org · checked October 30, 2026
11
Household Hazardous Waste At-Your-Door - City and County of DenverCity · denvergov.org · checked October 30, 2026
12
Treecycle - City and County of DenverCity · denvergov.org · checked October 30, 2026
13
LeafDrop and Pumpkin Recycling - City and County of DenverCity · denvergov.org · checked October 30, 2026
14
Solid Waste Collection Areas (ArcGIS layer)City · services1.arcgis.com · checked October 30, 2026
15
Seasonal Programs - City and County of DenverCity · denvergov.org · checked October 30, 2026

Something changed? Report a change

Second-pass verification against every source: October 30, 2026. Not affiliated with any city, county or hauler.