Junk removal in Colorado: what it costs and your cheaper options
Before you pay for junk removal in Colorado, check two cheaper routes: your city's bulk pickup, which is often already paid for in your trash bill, and hauling it yourself to the county landfill or transfer station. Here's what each costs with real Colorado fees, and when a crew is worth it.
Start with your city's pickup
Colorado's best free option is in Denver; elsewhere the county landfill is your cheap route:
- Denver's Large Item Pickup comes every nine weeks with your regular trash collection and takes up to 5 large items and 10 bags. Set items out only on your scheduled day; find it in the City's Trash and Recycling app.
- Larimer County's landfill takes a carload of household items at a flat vehicle price, with mattresses, appliances and tires priced separately.
Haul it yourself: what Colorado dumps charge
If you have a truck or trailer, the gate fee is usually small next to a hauler's price. Here is what the Colorado sites we cover charge:
| Area | Small load (minimum) | Per ton after that | The catch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Junction and Mesa County | $10 covers up to 380 lbs | $32 a ton; demolition debris $32 | Out-of-county waste not accepted; uncovered loads pay double |
| Garfield County (Rifle) | $8 minimum | $46 a ton in-county; $100 out-of-county | Closed Sundays from October through March |
| Chaffee County (Salida and Buena Vista) | $20 minimum | $64 a ton, or $20 a cubic yard for household loads | Closed Wednesdays; out-of-county $245 a ton (1-ton minimum) |
| Summit County (SCRAP) | $20 covers up to 300 lbs | $72 a ton; bags $5 each | Unsorted construction debris $150 a ton, sorted $85 |
| Fort Collins and Larimer County | $20 a carload, $37 a pickup | Not weighed: trailers pay $13.25 a cubic yard | The landfill closed August 3, 2026; Fort Collins now uses the Trilby Road transfer station |
| Colorado Springs (WM landfills) | Not posted | Not posted | WM doesn't publish its public rates; call first |
| Denver (DADS, Aurora) | Not posted | Not posted | Denver Large Item Pickup takes 5 items every nine weeks |
Bring proof of address: resident rates and free allowances almost always require it, and many sites charge outsiders more.
What Colorado won't let you throw away
Pull these out before the junk goes to a landfill, whether you haul it or hire it out; a crew will charge extra to handle them:
| Item | Colorado rule |
|---|---|
| Whole tires | Banned — unless there's truly no other option |
| Car batteries | Lead-acid banned — CDPHE prohibited-materials list |
| Appliances | No state ban |
| TVs and computers | Yes — since July 1, 2013 (C.R.S. Title 25, Article 17, Part 3) |
Paint, chemicals and other household hazardous waste go to a county drop-off, usually free for residents.
When hiring junk removal is worth it
Hire a crew for heavy furniture, appliances, stairs, several loads, or a cleanout on a deadline. You pay for the crew's labor and the space your junk takes in their truck; their disposal cost is the same landfill rate shown above, so a small load you could fit in a pickup is usually cheaper to haul yourself.
Moving out? Start four weeks ahead: bulky pickups and hazardous waste drop-offs often run on limited schedules. Our moving cleanout guide has the week-by-week plan.
For every Colorado landfill, transfer station and drop-off we cover, start from our Colorado page, or see what it costs to dump in Colorado.
Common questions
How much does junk removal cost in Colorado?
Does Denver pick up large items?
What can't junk removal take in Colorado?
Hours, fees and rules change. Always call the facility to confirm before you load up. Sources: what it costs to dump in Colorado; our Colorado city pages; moving cleanout guide.