Denver Dump Fees & Landfill Guide for Junk Removal Operators

Denver's disposal market is split by Executive Order 115: waste generated within Denver city limits must go to DADS (WM-operated, rates not published). Suburban waste (Aurora, Lakewood, Arvada) can go to any permitted facility. Tower Landfill and Foothills Landfill (both Republic Services) posted 2023 commercial rates at $42/ton with a 3-ton minimum — call to confirm 2026 rates. Every load at Tower/Foothills also carries mandatory surcharges: Fuel Recovery Fee (8⁠–⁠15% of load), Environmental Recovery Fee ($19.71/load), and Solid Waste User Fee ($3.17/ton). These add significantly to the base rate. Colorado's CDPHE Solid Waste User Fee adds $1.50/ton through June 2026.

• For Denver city waste, DADS is mandatory — call (720) 876-2624 for commercial rates and set up an account through Tech Sales at (800) 963-4776
• For suburban waste, Tower and Foothills at ~$42/ton (2023) are competitive — but add mandatory ERF ($19.71/load) and FRF (8⁠–⁠15%) to get your true per-load cost
• DADS has the longest hours in the metro (Mon–Fri until 7:30 PM, Sat until 5 PM) — use the extended window for late-day dumps

Tower and Foothills Landfills charge shingles-specific pricing at $30/cu yd (2023, 5+ yards) — call to confirm 2026 rates. Stump and concrete over 3 feet diameter costs $59/cu yd. DADS accepts C&D but does not publish rates. The upcoming Denver Waste No More Ordinance (effective September 2026) will require C&D projects over 500 square feet to divert 50% of materials (concrete, asphalt, masonry, untreated wood, metal, corrugated cardboard) — creating business opportunities for operators who can offer sorted waste streams.

Tower and Foothills Landfills (2023 rates — call for 2026): appliances without Freon $38 each, appliances with Freon $64 each, mattresses/box springs $38 each (on top of load fee), boats/trailers/mobile homes $38 per linear foot. Pull-off services cost $110. Safety vest available for $3 — required for anyone exiting the vehicle. Propane tanks must have the valve removed 72+ hours before arrival. DADS surcharges are not posted — call for details. Habitat for Humanity ReStore at 70 Rio Grande Blvd charges a $20 handling fee for Freon appliances but accepts working appliances for free.

Republic Services' Tower and Foothills Landfills add three mandatory surcharges to every load: Fuel Recovery Fee (FRF) at 8⁠–⁠15% of the load charge, Environmental Recovery Fee (ERF) at $19.71 per load, and Solid Waste User Fee (SWUF) at $3.17 per ton. On a typical 2-ton commercial load at the 2023 base rate of $42/ton ($84 base), these fees add approximately $6.72⁠–⁠$12.60 (FRF) + $19.71 (ERF) + $6.34 (SWUF) = roughly $33⁠–⁠$39 in surcharges — increasing the effective rate to approximately $58⁠–⁠$62/ton. Always factor these mandatory fees into your job pricing.

County-owned, WM-operated facility — 2,364 acres total, 1,363 acres permitted, expected closure year 2158. Executive Order 115 mandates ALL Denver-generated waste goes here. The longest operating hours in the metro — weekdays until 7:30 PM and Saturdays until 5:00 PM — gives operators maximum dump-window flexibility. Includes a Recycling Convenience Center (free single-stream recycling drop-off), plus separate areas for e-waste, appliances, scrap metal, and tires. Dedicated 26-acre asbestos monofill for both friable and non-friable asbestos (requires waste approval profile). Materials for sale: compost at $26/cu yd, crushed concrete at $23/cu yd, crushed asphalt at $35/cu yd, dirt at $9/cu yd. Register for a commercial account with WM Tech Sales at (800) 963-4776. Uncovered loads incur DOUBLE fees under Colorado state law.

Materials accepted: MSW, C&D debris, Yard waste, E-waste (Recycling Center), Appliances (Recycling Center), Tires, Scrap metal, Mattresses (extra charge), Asbestos — friable/non-friable (26-acre monofill), Free single-stream recycling

Documentation needed: Commercial account via WM Tech Sales: (800) 963-4776 or TSWestern@wm.com; Waste approval profile required for asbestos and special waste; All loads must be covered — DOUBLE fees for uncovered loads (CO state law)

Surcharges: Uncovered loads: DOUBLE the standard fee; Mattresses/box springs: extra per-item charge; CDPHE Solid Waste User Fee: $1.50/ton (through June 2026)

Republic Services-operated landfill serving the north/east metro. The most detailed publicly available fee schedule in the Denver market (2023 rates — 2026 PDF exists but requires calling). The continuous Mon–Sat operation (opens 5 AM Monday, runs through Saturday 3 PM) is unique. For suburban waste NOT subject to Executive Order 115, this is often the most competitive option at ~$42/ton base. Contact Coleen Gay at (303) 204-5525 or CGay4@republicservices.com for MSW/C&D commercial rates. Special waste: Sam Hatmaker at (720) 490-0230. Safety vest required for anyone exiting the vehicle ($3). Tires, electronics, batteries, and liquids are NOT accepted.

Materials accepted: MSW at $42/ton commercial (2023), C&D at call-for-rate, Shingles at $30/yd (5+ yd), Appliances: $38 (no Freon), $64 (Freon), Mattresses: $38 each, Stumps/concrete >3ft: $59/yd

Documentation needed: MSW/C&D: Coleen Gay (303) 204-5525; Special Waste: Sam Hatmaker (720) 490-0230; Safety vest required ($3)

Surcharges: Fuel Recovery Fee: 8⁠–⁠15% of load; Environmental Recovery Fee: $19.71/load; Solid Waste User Fee: $0.18/car, $0.95/yd, $3.17/ton; Uncovered loads: DOUBLE the load price (CO state law)

Republic Services-operated landfill serving the west metro — Lakewood, Arvada, Golden, Wheat Ridge. Uses the same rate structure as Tower Landfill (shared gate rate pricing sheet). Processes approximately 1,600 tons per day and 450,000 tons per year. For west Denver suburban jobs NOT subject to Executive Order 115, this avoids the long drive east to DADS or northeast to Tower. Saturday hours are shorter than Tower (7 AM–1 PM vs. Tower's continuous schedule). Email foothills@republicservices.com for commercial inquiries.