The Denver LeafDrop 2020 is underway with weekday locations open now and weekend drop sites opening as of October 31st. We've also gathered leaf recycling information for the greater metro area, plus Boulder and surrounding communities like Erie and Longmont.
So, Why Recycle Your Leaves?
Programs like the Denver LeafDrop were started to keep leaves out of landfills. That's right, if you toss your leaves in your garbage cans for pickup, they end up with all the other waste in local landfills. So, give Mother Nature a hand and keep your fall leaves out of the trash.
All you have to do is properly bag and bring your leaves to any of the programs listed here (some even pick up, so check out those dates), and they'll be turned into compost, aka "black gold." Added to your gardening soil, compost improves the structure of the soil, helps the needed microbial activity, suppresses common pests and plant-killing diseases, and holds in nutrients throughout the growing season. Plus, it minimizes the need for chemical fertilizers and helps lower your carbon footprint.
For the Denver LeafDrop program, the final compost product can even be purchased by residents for a discounted price during the Mulch Giveaway & Compost Sale in May. And don't forget to download a coupon for FREE compost-friendly leaf bags!
2020 Denver Metro LeafDrop and Leaf Recycling Locations | Printable PDF
Denver*
Weekday Drop-Off Locations:
Central Platte Campus | 1271 W. Bayaud Avenue
Cherry Creek Transfer Station | 7301 E. Jewell Avenue
Havana Nursery | 10450 Smith Road
Leaves brought to Havana and Central Platte Campus must be in bags.
Dates & Times:
Monday–Friday | October 5–December 4, 8am–2pm
Weekend Drop-Off Locations:
Bruce Randolph High School | E. 40th Avenue & Steele Street
Cherry Creek Transfer Station | 7301 E. Jewell Avenue
Kennedy High School | 2855 S. Lamar Street
Sloan’s Lake Park | 1700 N. Sheridan Boulevard
Veterans Park | 2100 E. Iowa Avenue
Dates & Times:
Saturdays & Sundays | October 31–November 15, 11am–3pm
Info at bit.ly/denverleafdrop2020
Arvada
Drop-Off Locations:
Stenger Soccer Complex (east entrance) | 5675 Oak Street
Permagreen Organics Company | 5520 Harlan Street
Dates & Times:
Saturdays, November 7, 14 and 21 | 9am–3pm
Info at bit.ly/arvada20
Englewood & Littleton
Drop-Off Location:
A1 Organics Mountain States
2300 W. Radcliffe Avenue
Dates & Times:
October 31 and November 7 | 8am–1pm
Info at bit.ly/littleton20
Thornton
Place leaves in compostable BPI certified or paper bags. All other bags may be opened on site. Proof of residency is required.
Drop-Off Location:
Thornton’s Infrastructure Maintenance Center
12450 Washington Street
Drop-Off Date & Time:
Weekdays | 7am–4pm
Saturday, November 7 | 8am–Noon
Info at bit.ly/thornton20
2020 Boulder & Surrounding Areas Leaf Recycling | Printable PDF
Boulder
Pick-Up: Unlimited bags of yard waste in compostable bags included with trash service. Carts by request and bundled branches (size/weight limits apply) collected for free. Compostables are collected every other week.
Monday–Saturday
Ongoing with standard trash pick-up set out by 7am.
Info at bit.ly/boulderleafpickup20
Drop-Off: Yard and wood waste drop-off is subsidized by the City of Boulder and Boulder County. Residents pay 40% less than standard trash disposal rates. Bring ID.
Location:
Trash & Recycle Center
5880 Butte Mill Road
Drop-Off Times:
Monday–Saturday
7am–5pm
Info at bit.ly/boulderleafdrop20
Erie
Free to residents. Bring leaves in loosely tied plastic or paper bags. No garden waste, large brush, branches or stumps. No commercial.
Drop-Off Location:
Erie Recycling Center
1000 Briggs Street
Drop-Off Dates & Times:
Saturday, 11/7 and Sunday, 11/15
9am–3pm
Info at bit.ly/erieleafdrop20
Lafayette
This is a self-service program. Residents may dispose of leaves and pumpkins. Leaves collected in plastic bags must be emptied at the drop-off area. Tree branches not accepted.
Drop-Off Location:
City of Lafayette Service Center
1700 Avalon Avenue
Drop-Off Dates & Times:
Monday–Friday, 10/26–11/20
6:30am–3:30pm
Saturday, 11/14
9am–1pm
*Closed Veterans Day and Thanksgiving
Info at bit.ly/lafayetteleafdrop20
Longmont
Free collection of bagged leaves (free bags available at 140 Martin Street beginning 10/1 while supplies last). Bags must be out on the curb (not an alley) before 7am on the Monday of your scheduled collection week and left out until collected:
For residences north of 9th Avenue:
Monday, November 2
For residences south of 9th Avenue:
Monday, November 9
Info at bit.ly/longmontleafdrop20
Louisville
Free curbside collection available to residents with up to 20 compostable bags, unlimited shrubbery bundles and tree limbs no more than 18" in diameter cut to 4' and tied with twine or rope.
Tuesday and Wednesday Customers:
Saturday, November 14
Thursday and Friday Customers:
Saturday, November 21
Materials on the curb by 7am.
Drop Off Location:
1000 Empire Road
Residents may drop off leaves and grass clippings. No plastic bags, trash, branches or other garden waste. Open the first full weekend of each month, 8am-4pm.
Info at bit.ly/louisvilleleafdrop20
*In Denver, LeafDrop is for residents only. Loose leaves are only accepted at the Cherry Creek Transfer Station, otherwise, all leaves must be in bags. Due to COVID-19, all Denver residents must wear a face mask/covering while they are on the site. They must also follow proper social distancing guidelines which require that they remove their own bags from their vehicles and place them in the designated drop areas for the LeafDrop team to handle. Visit websites for all details. Costs may apply. Only bring your leaves to designated drop sites during specified dates and times. Otherwise, it is considered illegal dumping.
