Trash & Recycling

Holiday Delay Information

City trash/recycle collection service will be on a one day delay beginning Wednesday, December 25.  City offices will also be closed in observance of the Christmas holiday.

​The Environmental Services Team provides curbside trash and recycling collection services to over 32,000 homes in the City, as well as a number of other collection services for our citizens. The collection service program is operated as an enterprise fund, meaning that all costs associated with providing the various services are covered by user fees.

The Trash & Recycling Collection Schedule applies to city of Thornton trash and recycle customers only.

Holiday Wrap Collection

City trash/recycle customers may place flattened holiday boxes and bagged wrapping paper at the curb for collection on your normal pick up day December 26 - December 31.  Please fill black trash containers first!

Christmas Tree Curbside Collection

City trash/recycle customers may place natural Christmas trees at the curb for collection on their regular trash day December 30 - January 10.  Do not wrap trees in plastic and remove all ornaments and lights.

*Trees may be picked up by a truck/trailer separate from the trash collection truck.  If it is not picked up with your containers, please do not call us.  As long as your tree was at the curb by 7 a.m., please leave it out at the curb and it will be picked up.  Thank you!

Christmas Tree Drop-off

Date: Saturday, January 11, 2025

Time:  8 a.m. - noon

Location: Thornton's IMC, 12450 Washington Street.  Use the north entrance with access from 126th Avenue, east of Washington Street (126th Ave. & Ogden St.)

Guidelines: Thornton residents may drop off natural Christmas trees for recycling.  Proof of residency is required. Do not wrap trees in plastic and be sure to remove all lights and ornaments.

City of Thornton trash/recycling customers are now able to download a mobile app to their cell phone or tablet! Please look for City of Thornton Recycles in the App Store and on Google Play.

Use the Trash & Recycling Calendar Wizard

Not sure how to properly dispose of something? Simply type the name of the material into the Wizard and find out!

What can I bring to the IMC?

The Infrastructure Maintenance Center (IMC) is located at 12450 Washington Street. Thornton residents only (no commercial or landscaping companies) may bring or drop-off the following on weekdays from 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.:

• ATTENTION - Cooking oil is no longer accepted for drop-off at the IMC.
• Motor oil, antifreeze - in sealed gallon (or smaller) containers.
• Appliances such as refrigerators, dishwashers, & water heaters.
• Compost material such as grass clippings, leaves, flowers, coffee grounds, food scraps.  Be prepared to open all bags on site. Only 3 gallon compostable kitchen bags will be accepted.
• Please call 720-977-6200 ahead of your arrival for instructions or head to the north gate entrance with access from 126th Avenue, east of Washington Street.  Once at the gate, press the Infrastructure button for access into the yard and let the operator know you are there to drop off compost.

Access to the north gate from 126th Avenue is now restricted other than on event days.

Solid Waste Fee Structure 

The current fee for Thornton’s Solid Waste Collection Program is $17.50 per month, and will appear on your water bill. The $17.50 per month charge includes a weekly collection of solid waste and every other week collection of recycling materials. This service is limited to ONE black container for solid waste. There is an additional charge for each additional black container with a maximum of four containers. However, green containers filled with trash will not be emptied.

*There will be a monthly rate increase effective January 1, 2025.

Current Rates                           Rates as of 1/1/2025                                

• One black container - $17.50                            One black container - $19.00
• Two black containers - $22.00                        Two black containers - $23.89 
• Three black containers - $33.90                      Three black containers - $36.82
• Four black containers - $45.80                         Four black containers - $49.74

Solid waste collection dates are address specific. If you are unsure of your trash/recycle collection day, please click the Trash & Recycling Calendar tab on the left hand side of this page.

Order an Additional Container or Lid Replacement