Refuse

Ordinance No. 742, Series 1991, establishes rules and regulations for trash service provided by the city of Cortez. The refuse division is responsible for weekly trash collection service for residential and commercial accounts within the city limits. Learn what day your trash is picked up.  Please help keep our refuse and recycling collection workers safe on the streets - Slow Down to Get Around.

Fees from residents and commercial users pay for the expenses incurred to operate the Refuse Division. The refuse division works to keep the services strong and is always looking for ways to keep costs down and provide high-quality service at a reasonable price. As an "enterprise" fund, no extra financial support is needed from the City's general fund. View Current fees.

The normal residential household uses one 96-gallon Polycart. Additional Polycarts are available for an additional fee. Commercial users use larger dumpsters with the number of pick-ups based on specific refuse generated.

Cleanup Dumpster:  The city of Cortez has cleanup dumpsters available to rent for residential use.  These dumpsters can be used for light cleanup or lite-duty home renovation projects and can be picked up multiple times a week.  Not accepted: concrete, large amounts of tile, large limbs or stumps, electronic waste, tires, batteries, or appliances.  Overloaded dumpsters may not be serviced.  Call 970.564.4012 for current rates and to schedule service.

FLATBED TRUCK SERVICE: MAY 1 - NOVEMBER 1

When the weather warms up, and people start cleaning their yards, the City of Cortez provides flatbed trucks to be used to assist property owners in neighborhood cleanup. Removing yard debris and junk items from around homes greatly improves the appearance of neighborhoods, and the City as a whole.

Since the trucks are provided for residential property cleanup only, NO COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION USES WILL BE ALLOWED. Commercial Users also include private contractor work at residences. The fee for the flatbed plus any additional charges at the landfill for tires, appliances, overload fee (over one ton), etc. can be found in the Public Works fee schedule.  NOTE:  Additional charges at the landfill for tires, appliances, unacceptable waste, and an overload fee (over one ton) will be billed back to the user.  Please call the City Service Center at 565.7320 to schedule a flatbed for the evening.

CHIPPER / MULCH SERVICES:  MAY 1 - NOVEMBER 1

The city also provides a Chipper/Mulching service to assist property owners in neighborhood clean-up. The removal of dead branches and yard waste from around homes greatly improves the appearance of neighborhoods and the city as a whole.

The chipper is provided for residential property clean-up only, NO COMMERCIAL USERS ARE ALLOWED. Commercial users also include Private Contractors’ work from home users.  The minimum chipper fee must be paid prior to scheduling the chipping job. Additional minutes/charges are to be paid when the chipping job is concluded, or within one week of completion.