Recycling in Colorado
Where to recycle, donate or get rid of things in 149 cities and towns across Colorado. Pick your city, or search for your item. We also pick up anywhere in the state.
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Adams County
Alamosa County
- Alamosa12
Arapahoe County
Archuleta County
Boulder County
Chaffee County
City and County of Broomfield
City and County of Denver
- Denver17
Clear Creek County
Custer County
Delta County
Douglas County
Eagle County
El Paso County
Fremont County
Garfield County
Gilpin County
Grand County
Gunnison County
Hinsdale County
Huerfano County
Jackson County
Jefferson County
Kiowa County
Kit Carson County
La Plata County
Lake County
Larimer County
Las Animas County
Lincoln County
Logan County
- Sterling10
Mesa County
Moffat County
- Craig11
Montezuma County
- Cortez14
Montrose County
Morgan County
- Brush10
- Fort Morgan12
Otero County
Ouray County
Park County
- Fairplay12
Phillips County
Pitkin County
Prowers County
Pueblo County
Rio Blanco County
Rio Grande County
Routt County
Saguache County
San Miguel County
Sedgwick County
Summit County
Teller County
Washington County
Weld County
Yuma County
Colorado rules
- In Colorado, there is no charge to drop off paint at a PaintCare drop-off site. Source: PaintCare: Colorado paint recycling and drop-off locations (opens in new tab)
- Lead-acid batteries (such as car batteries) are prohibited from disposal at Colorado solid waste sites and landfills. Source: CDPHE: Materials prohibited from landfill disposal (opens in new tab)
- Waste tires are prohibited from disposal at Colorado solid waste sites and landfills unless the person has done due diligence and found no other option. Source: CDPHE: Materials prohibited from landfill disposal (opens in new tab)
More Colorado rules (87)
- Freon must be removed from refrigerators and air conditioners before disposal. Source: CDPHE: Preparing products found in your home for disposal (opens in new tab)
- CDPHE advises having an appliance repair company with a certified CFC technician remove the freon and tag the appliance as CFC-free. Source: CDPHE: Preparing products found in your home for disposal (opens in new tab)
- Waste electronic devices and computers are prohibited from disposal at Colorado solid waste sites and landfills. Source: CDPHE: Materials prohibited from landfill disposal (opens in new tab)
- Under the Battery Stewardship Act, collection sites will be added across Colorado starting in 2028, and recycling at them will be free for residents. The program is not running yet. Source: CDPHE: Battery Stewardship and Recycling (opens in new tab)
- CDPHE says old or unused paint can be dropped off at a participating PaintCare location at no cost to the consumer. Source: CDPHE: Paint frequently asked questions (opens in new tab)
- PaintCare's Colorado drop-off sites are open to households, businesses, government agencies and others with leftover paint. Source: PaintCare: Colorado paint recycling and drop-off locations (opens in new tab)
- PaintCare sites accept house paint, primers, stains, sealers and clear coatings such as shellac and varnish. Source: PaintCare: Products We Accept (opens in new tab)
- PaintCare sites do not accept aerosol coatings (spray paint), solvents, or products labeled for industrial or non-architectural use. Source: PaintCare: Products We Accept (opens in new tab)
- Paint must be in its original container, 5 gallons or smaller, with the manufacturer's printed label. Source: PaintCare: Products We Accept (opens in new tab)
- PaintCare drop-off sites do not accept containers that are leaking, empty, or missing the original printed label. Source: PaintCare: Products We Accept (opens in new tab)
- PaintCare's general FAQ (not specific to Colorado) says sites limit how much paint they take per visit, but every site accepts at least 5 gallons; call ahead. Source: PaintCare: FAQs (opens in new tab)
- For a limited time, PaintCare offers a door-to-door pickup service in Colorado for households in certain counties with more than ten gallons of leftover paint, stain and varnish. Source: PaintCare: Colorado paint recycling and drop-off locations (opens in new tab)
- The door-to-door paint pickup covers El Paso, Teller, Arapahoe, Adams, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas and Jefferson counties; call (720) 854-8722 to see if you qualify. Source: PaintCare: Colorado paint recycling and drop-off locations (opens in new tab)
- There is no charge for PaintCare's door-to-door household paint pickup; it is paid for by the PaintCare fee on new paint. Source: PaintCare: Colorado paint recycling and drop-off locations (opens in new tab)
- For 100 gallons or more of unwanted paint, PaintCare offers a free large-volume pickup service. Source: PaintCare: Colorado paint recycling and drop-off locations (opens in new tab)
- PaintCare says paint that has completely dried out (rock hard) can go in the trash, with the lid off so collectors can see it holds no liquid. Source: PaintCare: FAQs (opens in new tab)
- PaintCare drop-off sites do not accept empty paint cans. Source: PaintCare: FAQs (opens in new tab)
- Not every paint store takes back paint; retailers are PaintCare drop-off sites voluntarily. Source: PaintCare: FAQs (opens in new tab)
- PaintCare lists 225 year-round paint drop-off sites in Colorado. Source: PaintCare: Colorado paint recycling and drop-off locations (opens in new tab)
- Since July 1, 2015, the Architectural Paint Stewardship Act has allowed PaintCare, a nonprofit, to collect unused paint in Colorado. Source: CDPHE: Paint stewardship and recycling (opens in new tab)
- Collected latex paint is reused or recycled into new paint; oil-based paint can be used as fuel. Source: CDPHE: Paint stewardship and recycling (opens in new tab)
- Colorado's paint stewardship law is the Architectural Paint Stewardship Act (C.R.S. 25-17-401 et seq.). Source: Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, Title 25 (Part 3 of Article 17: Electronic Recycling Jobs Act) (opens in new tab)
- The law requires the paint stewardship plan to give at least 90% of Colorado residents a permanent paint collection site within 15 miles of home. Source: Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, Title 25 (Part 3 of Article 17: Electronic Recycling Jobs Act) (opens in new tab)
- The PaintCare fee, added to the price of new paint in Colorado, funds the program; it is not a tax or a deposit. Source: PaintCare: Colorado paint recycling and drop-off locations (opens in new tab)
- CDPHE says automotive lead-acid batteries are prohibited from disposal in Colorado landfills. Source: CDPHE: Preparing products found in your home for disposal (opens in new tab)
- Car batteries are generally turned in for recycling when you buy a replacement; some retailers take extra car batteries without a purchase. Source: CDPHE: Preparing products found in your home for disposal (opens in new tab)
- CDPHE expects most household batteries and smaller rechargeable batteries (under 11 pounds) to be accepted at program drop-off locations by October 2028. Source: CDPHE: Battery Stewardship and Recycling (opens in new tab)
- CDPHE says the best option for rechargeable batteries (nickel-cadmium, nickel-metal hydride, lithium, most button and small sealed lead-acid) is recycling; many stores take part in Call2Recycle. Source: CDPHE: Preparing products found in your home for disposal (opens in new tab)
- Many household hazardous waste collection events and programs accept rechargeable batteries. Source: CDPHE: Preparing products found in your home for disposal (opens in new tab)
- CDPHE says batteries can cause fires in recycling facilities and garbage trucks and should not be put in the trash or recycling. Source: CDPHE: Battery Stewardship and Recycling (opens in new tab)
- CDPHE's household-disposal guidance says US-made alkaline batteries no longer contain mercury and can go in the regular trash, with terminals taped or batteries bagged. Source: CDPHE: Preparing products found in your home for disposal (opens in new tab)
- Starting January 1, 2030, people must take certain unwanted batteries (those covered by the stewardship program) to a program collection site or event; disposing of them in a landfill is prohibited. Source: Colorado General Assembly: SB25-163 Battery Stewardship Programs (opens in new tab)
- The Battery Stewardship Act prohibits disposing of certain batteries in a landfill. Source: Colorado General Assembly: SB25-163 Battery Stewardship Programs (opens in new tab)
- SB25-163, the Battery Stewardship Programs bill, became law in 2025. Source: Colorado General Assembly: SB25-163 Battery Stewardship Programs (opens in new tab)
- The law requires the battery stewardship plan to set up collection sites that are free to use for anyone. Source: Colorado General Assembly: SB25-163 Battery Stewardship Programs (opens in new tab)
- Batteries covered by the program include single-use household batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, 9-volt) and rechargeable batteries up to 11 pounds. Source: CDPHE: Battery Stewardship and Recycling (opens in new tab)
- Car batteries over 11 pounds, built-in batteries, medical device batteries, EV batteries and damaged, defective or recalled batteries are excluded from the program. Source: CDPHE: Battery Stewardship and Recycling (opens in new tab)
- Once the program runs, most Colorado residents will live within 15 miles of a permanent battery collection site. Source: CDPHE: Battery Stewardship and Recycling (opens in new tab)
- The program will have at least 15 permanent collection sites for medium-format batteries (11 to 25 pounds, such as e-bike batteries) within six months of launch. Source: CDPHE: Battery Stewardship and Recycling (opens in new tab)
- Retailers may not charge a point-of-sale fee for the battery program. Source: CDPHE: Battery Stewardship and Recycling (opens in new tab)
- Since January 1, 2026, Colorado's Waste Tire Management Enterprise collects $1.50 on each sale of a new tire. Source: CDPHE: Waste Tire Management Enterprise (opens in new tab)
- The new tire fee funds waste tire collection events; the state accepts applications to host events held in or after August 2026. Source: CDPHE: Waste Tire Management Enterprise (opens in new tab)
- The Waste Tire Management Enterprise was created by SB 24-123, signed June 6, 2024. Source: CDPHE: Waste Tire Management Enterprise (opens in new tab)
- CDPHE says only a few landfills have staff equipped and trained to remove and capture freon. Source: CDPHE: Preparing products found in your home for disposal (opens in new tab)
- Once freon is removed, most landfills can accept refrigerators and other appliances for recycling or disposal. Source: CDPHE: Preparing products found in your home for disposal (opens in new tab)
- Some communities have large-item pickup days to help homeowners dispose of items that can't go in regular trash; CDPHE suggests checking with your city or county. Source: CDPHE: Preparing products found in your home for disposal (opens in new tab)
- Electronics built into a clothes washer or dryer are not "electronic devices" under Colorado's e-waste law, so the electronics landfill ban does not apply to them. Source: Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, Title 25 (Part 3 of Article 17: Electronic Recycling Jobs Act) (opens in new tab)
- Electronics built into a microwave oven are not "electronic devices" under Colorado's e-waste law, so the electronics landfill ban does not apply to them. Source: Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, Title 25 (Part 3 of Article 17: Electronic Recycling Jobs Act) (opens in new tab)
- Electronics built into a refrigerator or freezer are not "electronic devices" under Colorado's e-waste law, so the electronics landfill ban does not apply to them. Source: Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, Title 25 (Part 3 of Article 17: Electronic Recycling Jobs Act) (opens in new tab)
- Printers, fax machines, DVD players and VCRs are among the consumer electronics covered by Colorado's electronics landfill ban. Source: Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, Title 25 (Part 3 of Article 17: Electronic Recycling Jobs Act) (opens in new tab)
- Telephones are excluded from the definition of electronic devices in Colorado's e-waste law, so the electronics landfill ban does not cover them. Source: Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, Title 25 (Part 3 of Article 17: Electronic Recycling Jobs Act) (opens in new tab)
- Computers, peripherals, printers, fax machines, DVD players and VCRs are among the electronic devices covered by Colorado's landfill ban. Source: Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, Title 25 (Part 3 of Article 17: Electronic Recycling Jobs Act) (opens in new tab)
- Computer monitors and laptop, notebook, ultrabook and netbook computers are covered electronic devices (screen-based devices are covered when the screen is larger than 4 inches diagonally). Source: Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, Title 25 (Part 3 of Article 17: Electronic Recycling Jobs Act) (opens in new tab)
- Keyboards, mice and similar devices sold only for external use with a computer count as covered peripherals. Source: Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, Title 25 (Part 3 of Article 17: Electronic Recycling Jobs Act) (opens in new tab)
- Televisions are listed among the covered video display devices that cannot go in Colorado landfills. Source: Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, Title 25 (Part 3 of Article 17: Electronic Recycling Jobs Act) (opens in new tab)
- Screen devices such as TVs and monitors are covered when they have a CRT or flat panel screen larger than 4 inches measured diagonally. Source: Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, Title 25 (Part 3 of Article 17: Electronic Recycling Jobs Act) (opens in new tab)
- CDPHE says you are responsible for protecting personal information on your computer's or printer's hard drive before recycling it. Source: CDPHE: Residential electronics and computer waste (opens in new tab)
- CDPHE notes that several major computer and electronics manufacturers offer consumers recycling and reuse options; check your manufacturer's website. Source: CDPHE: Residential electronics and computer waste (opens in new tab)
- Packaging covered by the program includes paper, plastic, glass, metal, cartons and other packaging materials. Source: CDPHE: Producer Responsibility Program for Statewide Recycling Frequently Asked Questions & Answers (opens in new tab)
- Secondary or grouped packaging, including boxes and cartons, is covered material (not exempt) even for regulated drugs and medical devices. Source: CDPHE: Producer Responsibility Program for Statewide Recycling Frequently Asked Questions & Answers (opens in new tab)
- Colorado's statewide curbside recycling guide from Circular Action Alliance lists flattened cardboard, egg cartons, and food and beverage cartons as recyclable. Source: RecycleOn Colorado (Circular Action Alliance): Free Recycling Service, From Peaks to Prairies (opens in new tab)
- The statewide list is a guide for curbside (mixed) recycling and not all communities have the same services yet, so residents should check with their local program. Source: RecycleOn Colorado (Circular Action Alliance): Free Recycling Service, From Peaks to Prairies (opens in new tab)
- CDPHE says Colorado residents can no longer put household electronics in their trash. Source: CDPHE: Information for landfill operators and waste haulers on electronic waste (opens in new tab)
- CDPHE tells households to expect to pay a fee when recycling electronics. Source: CDPHE: Residential electronics and computer waste (opens in new tab)
- Colorado law allows charitable organizations to refuse donated electronic devices (and to set a surcharge for accepting them). Source: Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, Title 25 (Part 3 of Article 17: Electronic Recycling Jobs Act) (opens in new tab)
- Colorado does not allow waste electronics and computers to be thrown away in solid waste landfills, whether they come from homes or from businesses and other non-residential sources. Source: CDPHE: Electronics and computer waste (opens in new tab)
- Under the Electronic Recycling Jobs Act, from July 1, 2013 no one may dispose of an electronic device, or a component of one, in a Colorado landfill (subject to a limited county opt-out). Source: Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, Title 25 (Part 3 of Article 17: Electronic Recycling Jobs Act) (opens in new tab)
- Local governments may, in limited situations, vote to opt out of the electronics landfill ban, but only after a good-faith effort to provide minimum recycling options. Source: CDPHE: Residential electronics and computer waste (opens in new tab)
- A county exemption from the electronics landfill ban lasts two years; the county board can then vote again after another good-faith effort. Source: Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, Title 25 (Part 3 of Article 17: Electronic Recycling Jobs Act) (opens in new tab)
- A local government's good-faith effort before opting out must include trying to provide two electronics drop-off events a year or an ongoing e-waste recycling program for residents. Source: CDPHE: Information on computer waste for local governments (opens in new tab)
- Local governments are not required to fund public electronics recycling programs or collection events. Source: CDPHE: Residential electronics and computer waste (opens in new tab)
- The law covers electronic devices that manufacturers market for use by consumers. Source: Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, Title 25 (Part 3 of Article 17: Electronic Recycling Jobs Act) (opens in new tab)
- Colorado's electronics landfill ban is in the Electronic Recycling Jobs Act (C.R.S. Title 25, Article 17, Part 3). Source: Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, Title 25 (Part 3 of Article 17: Electronic Recycling Jobs Act) (opens in new tab)
- Since July 1, 2013, Colorado landfills, transfer stations and waste haulers must post a sign saying waste electronic devices are prohibited from disposal. Source: CDPHE: Information for landfill operators and waste haulers on electronic waste (opens in new tab)
- Colorado's 2022 Producer Responsibility Program for Statewide Recycling Act requires companies that sell packaging and paper products to fund a statewide recycling system for those materials. Source: CDPHE: Producer Responsibility program (opens in new tab)
- According to CDPHE's FAQ (updated August 2026), Circular Action Alliance began implementing the program plan in June 2026. Source: CDPHE: Producer Responsibility Program for Statewide Recycling Frequently Asked Questions & Answers (opens in new tab)
- When residents see changes depends on where they live and local recycling infrastructure; CDPHE says the rollout is gradual ("a dial, not a switch"). Source: CDPHE: Producer Responsibility Program for Statewide Recycling Frequently Asked Questions & Answers (opens in new tab)
- Circular Action Alliance says residents will no longer be charged for recycling services that it pays for. Source: RecycleOn Colorado (Circular Action Alliance): Free Recycling Service, From Peaks to Prairies (opens in new tab)
- Waste haulers may not charge consumers a collection fee to recoup their costs for recycling services provided under the program. Source: CDPHE: Producer Responsibility Program for Statewide Recycling Frequently Asked Questions & Answers (opens in new tab)
- If a resident's municipality does not participate, the resident can contact a participating waste hauler serving the area for recycling service at no cost. Source: CDPHE: Producer Responsibility Program for Statewide Recycling Frequently Asked Questions & Answers (opens in new tab)
- Waste haulers are not required to provide recycling under the program; haulers that opt out are not reimbursed. Source: CDPHE: Producer Responsibility Program for Statewide Recycling Frequently Asked Questions & Answers (opens in new tab)
- The program plan initially covers recycling services only for homes (residential covered entities). Source: Colorado General Assembly: HB22-1355 Producer Responsibility Program For Recycling (opens in new tab)
- CDPHE approved Circular Action Alliance's program plan in December 2025, and the alliance must begin implementing it by summer 2026. Source: CDPHE: Producer Responsibility program (opens in new tab)
- CDPHE projects the approved plan will bring no-cost recycling to an estimated 700,000 more Colorado households. Source: CDPHE press release: New statewide recycling plan paves the way for free recycling access (opens in new tab)
- The program plan must describe how recycling will expand to applicable nonresidential locations (such as small businesses and schools), beginning no later than 2028. Source: CDPHE: Producer Responsibility Program for Statewide Recycling Frequently Asked Questions & Answers (opens in new tab)
- Circular Action Alliance says the program begins with residential recycling and adds schools, government buildings and more by 2030. Source: RecycleOn Colorado (Circular Action Alliance): Free Recycling Service, From Peaks to Prairies (opens in new tab)
- The program provides recycling services to covered entities: residences, public places, small businesses, schools, hospitality locations, and state and local government buildings. Source: Colorado General Assembly: HB22-1355 Producer Responsibility Program For Recycling (opens in new tab)