Trash Collection

The City adopted Ordinance No. 1187, Series 2014 that makes unauthorized dumping in trash receptacles and dumpsters a municipal offense and punishable by law.

Information flyers:

Residential trash service

Upcoming side-load trash service

What to do with extra trash?

From April 1 to November 1 each year, the city offers a flatbed truck service to help with bulk trash collection.

  • Minimum truck user fee must be paid at the City Service Center, 110 West Progress Circle, in the Cortez Industrial Park, by noon of the requested delivery date.
  • The flatbed load cannot contain any construction debris (including roofing, remodeling or demolition materials); chemicals; batteries; hazardous materials; insecticides; pesticides; medical waste; hot ashes; asbestos; wet paint; oil; unacceptable wastes; or liquids of any kind.
  • Appliances are accepted as an additional fee, if prior arrangements have been made and appliances paid for.
  • Do not place tires on the flatbeds.  Residents can dispose of their tires at the County Landfill (for a fee) and various locations in town. View a list of recycling resources for Cortez and the surrounding area.

For more information on our flatbed services please call us at 970-565-7320.

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.

Also, the city provides a "Clean Up Week" each year to encourage residents to clean out their garages, clean up their yards, and beautify the town. Clean-up items are set out at the curb (even if your regular trash is picked up in the alley) and picked up by city crews, at no extra cost to the homeowner. See our flyer on "Clean Up Week" and get more information.