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Battery Recycling in Cortez, CO

The Montezuma County Landfill accepts small rechargeable batteries (up to one pound) free of charge for recycling, but not lead-acid car batteries.

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Check before you go

Official sources disagree on these details. We show what each source says; confirm with the operator before you go.

Checked October 26, 2026 · Call before you go · How we check

2 ways to get rid of a battery in Cortez

Tap an option to see the address, hours, cost and rules.

  1. CurbCycle PickupPickup from your home · CortezNo haulingWe recycle it for youFrom $75.00
    How it works

    Book online, set out your battery and we’ll pick it up and recycle it for you. You see your price before you book and pay only after pickup.

    Book a pickup →

  2. Montezuma County LandfillCounty service · Montezuma CountyConditions applyFree
    How it works

    Montezuma County site at 26100 County Road F, Cortez, CO 81321 (unincorporated Montezuma County). Hours: Monday–Saturday 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Closes for the day when winds reach 40 mph.

    Cost & rules
    • Small rechargeable batteries (up to one pound) only; lead-acid batteries cannot be disposed of at the landfill.

    Official page (opens in new tab)

Before you go

  1. Tape the terminals of lithium and rechargeable batteries before transport.
  2. Keep damaged, swollen or leaking batteries separate and tell the operator.
  3. Ask which battery types are accepted; car batteries often go somewhere different.
More about batteries

Colorado rules

More Colorado rules (16)
Where this information comes from (22)

Where this information comes from

Checked October 26, 2026

  • Montezuma County Landfill: Special Wastes (opens in new tab) · Montezuma County
    • The landfill accepts small rechargeable batteries (up to one pound) through RBRC. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Rechargeable batteries are recycled at no charge to customers. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Lead-acid batteries cannot be disposed of at the landfill. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • City of Cortez: Unacceptable Waste (opens in new tab) · City of Cortez
    • Mattresses, batteries, Freon appliances, tires and paint must be taken to the Montezuma County Landfill. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • CDPHE: Materials prohibited from landfill disposal (opens in new tab) · Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
    • Lead-acid batteries (such as car batteries) are prohibited from disposal at Colorado solid waste sites and landfills. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • CDPHE: Battery Stewardship and Recycling (opens in new tab) · Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
    • 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. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • CDPHE expects most household batteries and smaller rechargeable batteries (under 11 pounds) to be accepted at program drop-off locations by October 2028. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • CDPHE says batteries can cause fires in recycling facilities and garbage trucks and should not be put in the trash or recycling. Checked October 25, 2026 (automated check) · sources disagree.
    • Batteries covered by the program include single-use household batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, 9-volt) and rechargeable batteries up to 11 pounds. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Car batteries over 11 pounds, built-in batteries, medical device batteries, EV batteries and damaged, defective or recalled batteries are excluded from the program. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Once the program runs, most Colorado residents will live within 15 miles of a permanent battery collection site. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • 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. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Retailers may not charge a point-of-sale fee for the battery program. Checked October 26, 2026.
  • CDPHE: Preparing products found in your home for disposal (opens in new tab) · Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
    • CDPHE says automotive lead-acid batteries are prohibited from disposal in Colorado landfills. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Car batteries are generally turned in for recycling when you buy a replacement; some retailers take extra car batteries without a purchase. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • 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. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • Many household hazardous waste collection events and programs accept rechargeable batteries. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • 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. Checked October 25, 2026 (automated check) · sources disagree.
  • Colorado General Assembly: SB25-163 Battery Stewardship Programs (opens in new tab) · Colorado General Assembly
    • 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. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • The Battery Stewardship Act prohibits disposing of certain batteries in a landfill. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • SB25-163, the Battery Stewardship Programs bill, became law in 2025. Checked October 26, 2026.
    • The law requires the battery stewardship plan to set up collection sites that are free to use for anyone. Checked October 26, 2026.

“Checked” means we read the official page on that date. Things can change, so call before you go.

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