Boulder County, CO Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing ordinance
- Boulder County 2019-3
- Zero Waste basis
- Resolution 2005-138
- Recycling
- Unlimited curbside (Region 1)
- Organics
- 32-gal food + yard waste service
- Mandate falls on
- Licensed haulers, by region
Summary
Under the Waste Hauler Ordinance (2019-3), haulers must provide curbside single-stream recycling in many regions and, in denser areas, curbside organics (food and yard waste) collection. Boulder County's Zero Waste goal (Resolution 2005-138) drives these mandates.
In this region, haulers must provide pay-as-you-throw trash service and unlimited recycling. Starting Jan. 1, haulers are required to provide 32-gallons of organics collection service, either weekly or every other week.
Full Breakdown
Boulder County advances recycling and composting through hauler mandates rather than resident fines. Ordinance 2019-3 requires curbside single-stream recycling collection and curbside organics collection in specified regions, with food-waste and yard-waste service phased in by area. In single-family Region 1, haulers must provide unlimited recycling, and beginning January 1 haulers were required to provide 32 gallons of organics collection service weekly or every other week, letting residents put food scraps and yard trimmings in a separate bin. These requirements support Resolution 2005-138's goal of 'Zero Waste – or darn near' throughout Boulder County, including unincorporated areas.
Violations & Fines
The mandates fall on licensed haulers: failing to provide required recycling or organics service for a region violates Ordinance 2019-3 and can affect the hauler's annual county license. Residents are not fined for the service level itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is recycling mandatory in unincorporated Boulder County?
Do I have to compost food scraps?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Boulder County
Compare Boulder County to another location·View the Colorado trash & recycling overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.