Fort Collins, CO Trash & Recycling: Yard Waste Collection (2026)
Key Facts
- Season
- Weekly, April 1 to November 30 of each year
- Set-out method
- Loose in the cart, no bags (even paper), lid fully closed
- Set-out time
- By 7 a.m. on collection day
- Cart included
- One 65 or 95 gallon cart; extra cart $15 per month
- Decline option
- Saves $5 per month, except on XS cart service
- Hauler
- Republic Services, 970-416-2012
- Leaf drop-off
- Timberline Recycling Center: $5 entry plus $11 per cubic yard
Summary
Fort Collins takes leaves in the weekly yard trimmings cart, loose with no bags and the lid fully closed, from April 1 to November 30. City Code § 15-414 binds every licensed hauler to that season, and Republic Services runs the city contract. The city's Street Sweeping page says raking or blowing leaves into the street is against City Code.
(a)Residential service required. Each solid waste collector licensed by the City shall make available to each residential customer receiving solid waste collection services, including customers receiving solid waste collection services through a group account, and shall provide to a residential customer upon request curbside collection of residential yard trimmings at least once per week from April 1 to November 30 of each year. As of September 30, 2024, each solid waste collector licensed by the City shall enroll each residential customer receiving solid waste collection services, including customers receiving solid waste collection services through a group account, in curbside collection of residential yard trimmings to be serviced at least once per week from April 1 to November 30 of each year and offer each residential customer the option to decline such service. ... Except where suitable treatment has been provided, no person shall discharge any pollutant or contaminated water into or upon any:(1)Public street, highway or other right-of-way;(2)Watercourse (whether natural or manmade);(3)Storm drainage facility; or
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Supplement 155 | Transitional Land Use Code (for project before May 17, 2024): Supplement 61 | Traffic Code: Supplement 27).
Full Breakdown
Fort Collins writes the leaf season into the City Code rather than leaving it to a hauler's calendar. Section 15-414(a) requires every solid waste collector licensed by the City to provide residential yard trimmings collection at least once per week from April 1 to November 30 of each year, and § 15-411 defines yard trimmings as yard clippings, wood, branches, leaves, and twigs as designated for collection by the City Manager under § 15-416. Since September 30, 2024, collectors must enroll each residential customer and offer the option to decline. Section 15-414(b) folds yard trimmings into the basic service charge unless the customer has declined, and § 15-414(c) bars collectors from commingling yard trimmings with solid waste or recyclable materials or disposing of them at a landfill.
The city contract covers single family homes and residences with seven or fewer units per building, and Republic Services (970-416-2012) is the hauler. The Curbside Trash and Recycling page lists leaves first among accepted items, followed by lawn clippings, garden waste, untreated wood and twigs, and small branches under 3 inches in diameter that fit with the lid closed. Trimmings go in the cart loose. Bags are refused even when paper, and open lids or overflow will not be collected. Set the cart out by 7 a.m.; Republic collects from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and needs 3 feet of clearance on the sides and 16 feet overhead. Section 15-411 defines curbside as at or near the perimeter of the premises, not on the sidewalk. The page says carts left out longer than 12 hours risk code warnings.
Service includes one cart of 65 or 95 gallons. A second cart costs $15 per month, and a bulk bag of yard trimmings costs $4 per 32-gallon bag, which the city says goes to the landfill instead of the composting facility. Declining yard trimmings saves $5 per month, except on XS cart service. The city pages cited here print no leaf-only dates, zone map or make-up day, so your day comes from Republic's online tool or its phone line.
Violations & Fines
The city cites § 26-498 for leaves in the street, and § 26-499 makes any violation of that article a criminal misdemeanor under § 1-15, where an unclassified misdemeanor carries a fine and surcharge total not to exceed $2,650, imprisonment not exceeding 180 days, or both. Each day the condition is maintained is a separate offense. A hauler that skips the § 15-414 season can face license suspension or revocation under § 15-428 after at least ten days' written notice.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Fort Collins pick up leaves?
Should I bag my leaves or rake them to the curb?
Can I rake or blow leaves into the street in Fort Collins?
Where can I drop off extra leaves, and what does it cost?
Can I burn leaves in Fort Collins?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fort Collins
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