Enforcement paused
Boulder Universal Zero Waste Ordinance
Enforcement paused
Compost enforcement PAUSED for commercial, multifamily & events (A1 Organics accepts less); food-business compost still required
Boulder's Universal Zero Waste Ordinance requires every property owner, business and special event to subscribe to compost, recycling and trash. Compost enforcement is paused for commercial, multifamily and events. Food businesses must still compost.
At a glance Enforcement paused
Read the official rules (opens in a new tab)
- Ordinance
- Universal Zero Waste Ordinance – B.R.C. 6-3-13 to 6-3-18 (2015)
- Who’s covered
- All property owners (incl. multifamily), businesses, food businesses, special events
- Apartment buildings must provide compost
- Yes
- What you have to do
- Subscribe to compost/recycling/trash; tell tenants; signs + employee training; food businesses report compliance
- Key dates
- Adopted 2015, enforced from 2017
✦ The state picture
Rules in Colorado
Boulder sits inside Colorado. State rules can apply on top of city rules.
01 / Our job
What Melly’s handles
- Which rules apply to each of your Boulder 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 If something here looks out of date, tell us.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
Get a plan for Boulder, CO
What do you run there? Pick all that apply.
✦ Let Melly’s handle it
Get a compliance plan
Tell us where you operate. We tell you what applies, then we file and keep you compliant.