City rules only
Colorado organic waste rules, city by city
Colorado has no statewide organic waste law. The rules are set city by city: Denver, Aspen, Boulder, Longmont and Fort Collins each have their own, and Durango is deciding on one now.
At a glance City rules only
Read the official rules (opens in a new tab)
- The law
- None statewide. SB23-191 study (2024) recommended policy like Aspen's; no 2026 bill
- Who’s covered
- Varies by city
- Thresholds and key dates
- Denver Sept 1, 2026; Aspen multifamily Jan 15, 2026
- Local rules
- Denver URCO, Aspen Ord. 4-2023, Boulder UZWO, Longmont URO, Fort Collins (grocers)
01 / City and county rules
Local rules
-
Denver
In effect- Who’s covered
- Multifamily 8+ units, manufactured home communities, congregate living, licensed food businesses, permitted events (350+ daily attendees), C&D; non-residential buildings recycling only
- Apartment buildings must provide compost
- Yes
- Key dates
- Compliance Sept 1, 2026; rules dated June 26, 2026
-
Aspen
In effect- Who’s covered
- Phase 1: Retail Food License holders; Phase 2: all commercial businesses + multifamily; Phase 3: every owner/occupant
- Apartment buildings must provide compost
- Yes
- Key dates
- Oct 15, 2023 / Jan 15, 2026 / Jan 15, 2028
-
Boulder
Enforcement paused- Who’s covered
- All property owners (incl. multifamily), businesses, food businesses, special events
- Apartment buildings must provide compost
- Yes
- Key dates
- Adopted 2015, enforced from 2017
-
Longmont
In effect- Who’s covered
- Food wholesalers/grocers (Jan 2025), all food businesses (June 30, 2025), landscapers (2029); multifamily recycling only
- Apartment buildings must provide compost
- Recycling only
- Key dates
- Jan 1, 2025 / June 30, 2025 / Jan 1, 2029
-
Fort Collins
In effect- Who’s covered
- Food stores (grocers) must separate food scraps; all businesses + multifamily must recycle
- Apartment buildings must provide compost
- Recycling only
- Key dates
- Recycling since June 30, 2021
-
Durango
Pending- Who’s covered
- Options include residential + commercial organics requirements
- Apartment buildings must provide compost
- To be decided
- Key dates
- Staff recommendation to council Oct 20, 2026
Other places in Colorado
- Pitkin County (unincorporated)Voluntary program onlyCo-runs compost program with Aspen at county landfill
- Summit County / Breckenridge / FriscoRecycling only (no compost)Food scraps: voluntary drop-off + restaurant program
- Louisville, Lafayette, GoldenVoluntary program onlySingle-family residents (fee charged); Lafayette businesses/apartments must recycle by 2025
- Vail, Avon (Eagle County)Recycling only (no compost)Recycling
- Boulder County, Superior, Erie, Lakewood, Loveland, Telluride, Steamboat, Crested Butte, Carbondale, Basalt, Snowmass, Colorado Springs, Aurora, Arvada, Westminster, Englewood, Littleton, Castle Rock, Northglenn, Broomfield, Glenwood SpringsVoluntary program onlySome offer voluntary curbside/drop-off compost
✦ Keep an eye on
What’s changing
Durango council decides on organics rules – staff rec Oct 20, 2026
- Oct 20, 2026Council gets staff recommendation on organics rules
- 2027 session?SB23-191 study recommends Aspen-style policy; no bill yet
02 / Our job
What Melly’s handles
- Which rules apply to each of your Colorado locations
- File the paperwork for you
- Set up pickup or a compliant hauler
- Keep your records current so you are ready if an inspector asks
✦ Where this comes from
Sources
Last checked October 14, 2026. Laws change. If something here looks out of date, tell us.
These are plain-English summaries for general information, not legal advice. Always confirm with the official source.
✦ Get a compliance plan
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✦ Let Melly’s handle it
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