Loveland's Trash & Recycling: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles trash & recycling a little differently. In Loveland, Colorado, there are 3 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Bulk Item Disposal

Loveland Solid Waste runs two bulk disposal programs: (1) curbside Large Item Pickup, scheduled by calling (970) 962-2529, with size-based fees billed to the utility bill; and (2) the Household Clean-up Program, which gives each city utility customer an Annual Household Cleanup Voucher for one free drop-off (up to 2.7 cubic yards / standard pickup load) at the Recycling Center. Vouchers are valid for one year and can only be used once. Many appliances and electronics are excluded from both programs and must be processed through the Larimer County Hazardous Waste facility or e-waste recyclers.

Key details: Programs: Curbside Large Item Pickup + Annual Household Cleanup Voucher. Governing Code: LMC Chapter 7.16 Solid Waste Collection and Removal. Voucher: 1 free drop-off per year per utility customer; max 2.7 cu yd. Curbside Pickup Fees: Size/volume-based; billed to utility account. Scheduling: (970) 962-2529 (Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-5 p.m.).

Illegal dumping of bulk items in alleys, parks, or the public right-of-way is a separate offense under LMC Chapter 7.16 and is prosecutable in Loveland Municipal Court under the LMC general penalty provisions (Title 1), plus restitution for cleanup. Placing excluded items (refrigerators, electronics, hazardous waste) at the curb for Large Item Pickup will result in the items being left at the curb and may trigger a code-enforcement abatement charge billed to the utility account. Vouchers are non-transferable and limited to one use per household per year.

Pickup Rules & Schedules

Loveland Solid Waste is a city-operated, three-stream curbside utility regulated by LMC Chapter 7.16 (Solid Waste Collection and Removal). The 95-gallon trash cart runs $27.00/month at the 2025 rate adopted by City Council Resolution R-91-2024 on October 15, 2024. Trash is collected weekly; recycling is collected every other week on the same day; yard waste is collected weekly April through November (no service December through March). Residents may set out up to five 32-gallon/50-pound bags next to the cart at $4.00 per bag for occasional overflow.

Key details: Governing Code: LMC Chapter 7.16 Solid Waste Collection and Removal. Operator: City of Loveland Solid Waste Division (municipal). 95-Gallon Trash Cart: $27.00/month (2025 rate). Overflow Bags: Up to five 32-gal/50-lb bags at $4.00 each. Recycling: Included with trash; every other week.

Service violations are enforced under LMC Chapter 7.16. Failing to pay utility account balances can result in service termination and lien-based collection against the property's utility account. Setting out excluded items, illegally dumping in the right-of-way, or using unauthorized private haulers for residential service where the city utility provides service violates Chapter 7.16 and is prosecutable in Loveland Municipal Court under the LMC general penalty provisions (Title 1). Repeat illegal dumping can trigger code enforcement abatement and restitution charges.

Bin Placement Rules

Loveland Solid Waste service guidelines under LMC Chapter 7.16 require carts to be at the curb by the early-morning set-out time on the scheduled collection day, placed in the street at the curb (not blocking the sidewalk) with clearance around the cart for the automated arm. Carts should be returned out of the public right-of-way after collection. Up to five 32-gallon/50-pound overflow bags may be placed next to the cart at $4.00 per bag.

Key details: Governing Code: LMC Chapter 7.16 + City Solid Waste Service Guidelines. Set-Out: Early morning of scheduled collection day. Placement: In street at curb; not blocking sidewalk. Clearance: Several feet around cart for automated arm. Overflow Bags: Up to 5 bags, 32 gal / 50 lb each, $4.00/bag.

Improperly placed carts may be skipped at the driver's discretion. Carts left blocking the sidewalk, blocking the street, or stored in the public right-of-way beyond collection day violate LMC Chapter 7.16 and the city service guidelines and can be cited by Code Enforcement. Municipal Court general penalty under LMC Title 1 applies for violations. Damaged or city-owned carts that go missing while improperly stored may be charged to the customer's utility account. Overflow bags exceeding the 50-pound weight limit or the five-bag maximum will be left at the curb.

The Bottom Line

Loveland's trash & recycling rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Loveland is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from Loveland's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.