Colorado Springs, CO Trash & Recycling: Bin Placement Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Allowed location
- Rear or side yard, or a secured structure
- Front yard
- Prohibited except on collection day
- Secured structure
- Garage, shed or building that blocks bear access
- Section
- City Code § 6.4.104(F)
- Max penalty
- $2,500 fine / 189 days jail (§1.1.201)
Summary
Colorado Springs City Code Sec. 6.4.104(F) confines trash and recycling carts to the rear or side yard, or inside a secured structure, between collection days. Rolling a container to the curb the night before is fine for the pickup itself, but it can't live in the front yard the rest of the week.
F. Waste containers shall be located in the rear or side yard areas of all properties or within a secured structure. The containers shall not be placed in front yards except for collection purposes.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-21: Code current through: Ord. 26-23, passed June 9, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 104(F) sets a location rule for every waste container on a residential or commercial property: 'Waste containers shall be located in the rear or side yard areas of all properties or within a secured structure. ' A 'secured structure' is defined in Sec. 101 as 'any building, shed, garage, or other structure that could reasonably prevent access by a bear', so a garage or enclosed shed satisfies the rule as an alternative to a side or rear yard spot. The 'except for collection purposes' carve-out means residents may roll a cart to the curb or alley on trash day and bring it back, but a container left visible from the street on the other six days is out of compliance.
This sits on top of the Bear Management Area rules in Sec. the same day. A container left in the front yard between collection days is an improper accumulation the Administrator can pursue under Sec. 105 and the Article 5 abatement process, notice and order, a correction deadline, and a ten-day appeal window to the Municipal Court Referee.
Violations & Fines
A waste container left in the front yard outside collection hours violates Sec. 6.4.104(F) and can draw a Sec. 6.4.105 notice and order under the Article 5 abatement process: a deadline to move it, and a ten-day window to appeal to the Municipal Court Referee. Because Article 4 sets no separate fine for this offense, prosecution defaults to Sec. 1.1.201's general penalty: up to $2,500 in fines, 189 days in jail, or both, on top of any contractor abatement costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I leave my trash cart at the curb all week?
Can I keep my trash can in the garage instead of the yard?
What happens if my cart sits in the front yard all week?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Colorado Springs
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