
**Please excuse our appearance while the website is being updated with new services and information about Denver's URCO. The revamped site will be up September 1st. Thank you for your patience and understanding....
303.481.3404
richard@rockieshauling.com
www.rockieshauling.com
1500 N Grant St, Suite R
Denver, CO 80203
Denver Universal Recycling & Composting Ordinance (URCO) Overview
Denver's Universal Recycling & Composting Ordinance (URCO) takes effect September 1, 2026. URCO aims to conserve natural resources across the city. The ordinance, expands Denver's sustainability efforts by requiring the following services be available citywide:
Recycling and Composting Services Required for:
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Multi-family residential buildings of 8+ units;
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Food businesses
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Permitted events (events on city property or open to the public)
Recycling Services for:
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Non-residential buildings
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Construction Projects
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Demolition Projects
URCO COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS
Food
Waste Producers

Requirements
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Recycling services for customers, employees, and contractors (front-of-house and back-of-house)
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Composting services for employees and contractors (back-of-house, at minimum)
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Signage that clearly identifies each waste stream
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Training of employees on proper waste sorting
Compliance Checklist
1. Start or adjust recycling and composting services
2. Set up your containers and collectoon areas
3. Label your containers
4. Maintain your containers
5. Train your employees and contractors
6. Fill out your Waste Diversion Plan
Helpful Links:
Website Link: Denver.gov URCO Requirements
Website Link: Denver.gov URCO Compliance
Home Owner's Association (HOA's)

Requirements
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Recycling services for customers, employees, and contractors (front-of-house an back-of-house)
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Composting services for employees and contractors (back-of-house, at minimum)
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Signage that clearly identifies each waste stream
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Training of employees on proper waste sorting
Compliance Checklist
1. Start or adjust recycling and composting services
2. Set up your containers and collection areas
3. Label your containers
4. Maintain your containers
5. Update your tenants
6. Fill out your Waste Diversion Plan
Helpful Links:
Website Link: Denver.gov URCO Requirements
Non-Residential Buildings

Requirements
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Recycling services for customers, employees, and contractors.
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Recycling a minimum of 30% of the total weekly service capacity
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Signage that clearly identifies each waste stream
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Education on proper waste sorting for customers, employees, and contractors.
Compliance Checklist
1. Start or adjust recycling and composting services
2. Set up your containers and collec9on areas
3. Label your containers
4. Maintain your containers
5. Update your tenants and contractors
6. Fill out your Waste Diversion Plan
Helpful Links:
Website Link: Denver.gov URCO Requirements
Multi-Family Buildings

Requirements
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Provide recycling and composting services for tenants, residents, employees, and contractors
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Provide adequate and convenient collection containers
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Post appropriate signage and provide waste sorting education
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Create and maintain a waste diversion plan
Compliance Checklist
1. Start or adjust recycling and composting services
2. Set up your containers and collection areas
3. Label your containers
4. Maintain your containers
5. Update your tenants
6. Fill out your Waste Diversion Plan
Helpful Links:
Website Link: Denver.gov URCO Requirements
Construction Projects

Requirements
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A minimum of 50% of all debris generated on site must be reused or recycled.
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A minimum of three materials must be reused or recycled i.e. concrete, asphalt, masonry, untreated wood, metal, or corrugated cardboard.
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A performance security deposit, based on the type and size of the project, must be submitted to be issued a permit.
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A waste diversion plan must be submitted through an online platform (Green Halo) to be issued a permit.
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Compliance documentation must be submitted at the end of the project.
Helpful Links:
Website Link: Denver.gov URCO Requirements
Demolition Projects

Requirements
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A minimum of 50% of all debris generated on site must be reused or recycled.
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A minimum of three materials must be reused or recycled i.e. concrete, asphalt, masonry, untreated wood, metal, or corrugated cardboard.
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A performance security deposit, based on the type and size of the project, must be submitted to be issued a permit.
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A waste diversion plan must be submitted through an online platform (Green Halo) to be issued a permit.
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Compliance documentation must be submitted at the end of the project.
Helpful Links:
Website Link: Denver.gov URCO Requirements
Permitted Events

Requirements
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Provide recycling and composting services for event attendees, employees, contractors, customers and volunteers
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Provide adequate and convenient collection containers
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Post appropriate signage and provide waste sorting training and education
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Complete a Waste Diversion Plan and submit to the permitting agency(s)
Helpful Links:
Rockies URCO Services

Free URCO Waste Audit
The purpose of the Waste Audit is to determine if your business is URCO compliant.
During an in person visit to your business we will review:
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Current Waste Management Process
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Current Waste Management Equipment
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URCO Requirements
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Current Waste Services
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Business Needs
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Rockies Services
Following our meeting Rockies will provide their analysis and recommendations.
This is Free of Charge! Take Advantage..

Waste Receptacles
During the Waste Audit Rockies will make a determination then issue a recommendation on your current waste capacity.
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Rockies offers several sized waste receptacles to meet your needs.
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The receptacles are produced in required colors.
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We receive high-volume commercial discounts, which are passed on to our customers.
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Waste Receptacles are provided Free of Charge for all our Contract Customers

Compliance Documentation
After the Waste Audit, Rockies will inform the business whats needed to become URCO Compliant. Documentation typically needed includes:
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Waste Handling Training Materials
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Waste Diversion Plan
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Signage indicating Waste Disposal Procedures in Front and Back of Business
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Bilingual Signage
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Waste Disposal Records other...
Rockies is able to provide guidance on documentation needed for URCO Complaince.

Recycling & Composting Waste Collection
URCO Requires
Weekly Waste Collection
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Rockies provides dual-stream Recycling & Composting pickup
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Both categories of waste are picked up at the same time, while adhering to requirements for segregation
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Rockies picks up 7 days a week from dawn until dusk
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Service plans typically include pickup 1-3 times a week.
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Flexible scheduling, including overflow pickups are available
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Recycling & Composting Contracts are typically issue for 1-2 years
Rockies strictly adheres to Denver County Guidelines for the transport of waste including maintaining your business waste service records.


Consultation & Compliance Services



