Fort Collins, CO Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)

Article V of Chapter 20 ("Dirt, Debris and Construction Waste") targets illegal dumping tied to construction activity. Section 20-62 provides that no person shall allow the tracking, dropping or depositing of dirt, debris, construction waste or any other material by or from any vehicle onto any street or right-of-way, and requires the responsible party to promptly remove all material and return the street or right-of-way to its prior condition. Section 20-63 separately forbids letting construction materials, waste, debris or rubbish accumulate in the street or right-of-way at a construction site, and requires removal of tools, machinery and surplus materials if public access is restricted.

Section 20-64 places responsibility on any person functioning as a general contractor or superintendent for violations committed by agents, employees, subcontractors or material haulers on the job. The City can also step in directly: § 20-65 authorizes the City Manager to remove illegally dumped material and bill the general contractor, superintendent, property owner or other responsible party for the full removal cost, and bars that person from getting further City construction permits until the bill is paid. Unlike most of Chapter 20's nuisance articles, which are charged as civil infractions, Article V is a misdemeanor offense: § 20-66 states flatly that any person who violates any of the provisions of this Article commits a misdemeanor.