Denver Adopts New Rules for Universal Recycling and Composting
Published on July 10, 2026
The City and County of Denver has officially adopted new Rules and Regulations for the voter-approved Universal Recycling and Composting Ordinance (URCO), a significant milestone for one of the most impactful waste diversion policies in the city’s history. The new rules provide detailed guidance for three key sectors — buildings and food businesses, permitted events, and construction and demolition projects — and set the stage for the coming September 1, 2026, compliance date.
URCO is the result of the Waste No More ballot initiative, which was introduced on the ballot by community members and approved by 70% of Denver voters in 2022. URCO expands recycling and composting access across the city and is intended to keep valuable materials out of landfills. Denver City Council adopted updates to the ordinance in September 2025, and [these%20Rules%20and%20Regulations]these Rules and Regulations provide details and guidance to help buildings, businesses, event organizers, contractors, and developers understand how to comply with the new requirements.
“Denver voters sent a clear message in 2022, and these rules are how we deliver on that promise to reduce pollution, keep resources circulating in our community and further our climate and sustainability goals,” said Elizabeth Babcock, Executive Director of the City and County of Denver’s Office of Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency. “We’re committed to making this new law manageable and successful for every business, building, and project it touches. That means giving people clear guidance, practical tools, and real support as they work to comply with URCO. Compliance is within reach, and our job is to make sure everyone has what they need to get there.”
With the Rules and Regulations process now complete, the city is shifting its focus toward community education, outreach and resource development. Additional guidance materials, signage templates, best practices guides and other tools will be made available throughout the summer as the September 1 deadline approaches.
URCO requirements apply to multi-family residential buildings, non-residential buildings, food businesses, permitted events, and permitted construction and demolition projects
The newly adopted rules clarify how the ordinance requirements work in practice.
Requirements for Buildings and Businesses
Who must comply:
- Multi-family residential buildings with 8+ units
- Licensed food businesses
- Non-residential buildings (recycling only)
Who doesn’t need to comply:
- Townhomes or rowhomes that hold an account with Denver Solid Waste Management are not subject to URCO requirements.
What’s required:
- Provide recycling and composting services alongside trash
- Non-residential buildings: recycling required; compost optional
- Ensure collection containers are:
- Adequate in size
- Conveniently located
- Clearly labeled
- Post signage and offer waste sorting education
- Submit a Waste Diversion Plan
Standards Defined in the newly adopted Rules and Regulations:
The rules set clear expectations for:
- Minimum service capacity
- Where and how containers must be placed
- Container labeling and required informational signage
- What must be included in a Waste Diversion Plan
- How and when to request an exemption
Requirements for Permitted Events
Who must comply:
- Events with 350+ daily attendees
- Events held on public property
- Events requiring permits from Denver Arts & Venues, DOTI, or Parks and Recreation
What’s required:
- Provide recycling and composting services
- Ensure collection containers are:
- Adequate in size
- Conveniently located
- Clearly labeled
- Provide training and signage to reduce contamination
- Submit a Waste Diversion Plan prior to permit issuance
Standards Defined in the newly adopted Rules and Regulations
The rules set clear expectations for:
- Minimum composting requirements (must include food and food scraps)
- Container placement standards
- Container labeling and required informational signage
- Required training elements
- What must be included in a Waste Diversion Plan
- How and when to request an exemption
Requirements for Construction and Demolition Projects
Who must comply:
- New construction or demolition projects larger than 500 sq ft
- Interior remodel projects larger than 2,500 sq ft
What’s required:
- Divert at least 50 percent of onsite debris by weight through recycling or reuse
- Recycle or reuse a minimum of three covered materials
- Submit a Waste Diversion Plan prior to permit issuance
- Submit a performance security deposit prior to permit issuance
- Submit compliance documentation upon project completion
- Security deposit is refunded based on compliance demonstrated
Standards Defined in the newly adopted Rules and Regulations:
The rules provide:
- Examples of covered materials
- Required contents of a Waste Diversion Plan
- Examples of accepted compliance documentation
- Procedures, reasons, and documentation needed to request reduced requirements or a reduced security deposit
Education-First Approach to Compliance
The City and County of Denver is taking an education-first approach to implementing and enforcing URCO’s new requirements. The city will focus on making sure buildings, businesses, event organizers, and project permit holders have clear information, practical resources and time they need to understand what is required and comply successfully before fines enter the picture.
More resources, including sample signage, fact sheets and best practices guides will be made available throughout the summer ahead of the September 1, 2026, compliance date. Building owners, managers, food business operators, event organizers, and contractors are encouraged to review the newly adopted Rules and Regulations, talk to their hauler about recycling and composting options and reach out to the city with questions.
For More Information
For questions or more information about URCO, visit www.denvergov.org/universalrecycling or contact UniversalRecycling@denvergov.org.