Denver Dump Fees & Landfill Guide for Junk Removal Operators
Executive Order 115 mandates Denver waste goes to DADS. Tower Landfill at ~$42/ton (2023) for suburban loads. 5 facilities mapped.
Last updated: Mar 2026
~$42/ton (Tower/Foothills 2023 commercial rate) – per-load flat rates at Tower for smaller vehicles
Typical dump fee range
Fee basis
Per ton for commercial vehicles, per vehicle/per yard for smaller loads
Common materials
Biggest cost trap
Executive Order 115 requires ALL Denver-generated waste to go to DADS in Aurora — a significant drive from west Denver. Operators picking up junk within Denver city limits cannot legally use Tower, Foothills, or Front Range Landfill for that waste.
Typical Costs in Denver
Baseline pricing before you dig into individual facilities.
MSW (Household Junk)
~$42/ton commercial (Tower/Foothills 2023) – DADS rates not published
3-ton minimum for commercial vehicles at Tower/Foothills (~$172 estimated with fees)
Basis: Per ton for commercial vehicles; per vehicle or per yard for smaller loads
infoDenver'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.
1For 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
2For 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
3DADS 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
C&D (Construction & Demolition)
~$28/cu yd for pickups at Tower (2023) – call DADS for per-ton C&D rates
5 cu yd minimum at Tower/Foothills for per-yard pricing
Basis: Per cubic yard for smaller loads; per ton for commercial vehicles
infoTower 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.
Specialty Items & Surcharges
$38/appliance (no Freon) – $64/appliance (Freon) at Tower/Foothills (2023)
$3 safety vest fee at Tower/Foothills
Basis: Per item
infoTower 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.
Mandatory Add-On Fees (Tower/Foothills)
$19.71/load (ERF) + 8–15% of load (FRF) + $3.17/ton (SWUF)
Applies to every load — no exceptions
Basis: Per load and per ton
infoRepublic 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.
Facilities in Denver
Recommended facilities first, then additional options.
Top Recommended (3)
Denver Arapahoe Disposal Site (DADS)
MANDATORY for all Denver city-generated waste under Executive Order 115 — largest facility with extended hoursRate
Not publicly posted — call Scalehouse at (720) 876-2624. Historical data suggests approximately $70–$95 per car/pickup load. Commercial accounts: Tech Sales at (800) 963-4776 or TSWestern@wm.com.
Call for details
Hours
Mon–Fri 6:00 AM – 7:30 PM · Sat 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM · Closed Sun
Area
Aurora (3500 South Gun Club Road, Aurora, CO 80018)
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.
Tower Landfill (Republic Services)
Competitive per-ton rates for suburban waste — ~$42/ton commercial base rate (2023) with detailed published fee scheduleRate
2023 rates — call (303) 371-5115 for current 2026 pricing. Commercial vehicles: $42/ton (3-ton min). Cars: $35. Passenger van/SUV: $47. Commercial van/pickup (to cab): $85. Pickup over cab: $102–$28/yd. Shingles: $30/yd (5+ yd). Plus mandatory FRF (8–15%), ERF ($19.71/load), SWUF ($3.17/ton).
3-ton minimum for commercial scale rates ($126+ base before surcharges)
Hours
Mon 5:00 AM through Sat 3:00 PM (continuous operation) · Closed Sun · Closed Christmas, New Year's
Area
Commerce City (19260 E. 88th Ave, Commerce City, CO 80022)
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.
Foothills Landfill (Republic Services)
West metro jobs (Lakewood, Arvada, Golden, Wheat Ridge) — same rates as Tower with Saturday hoursRate
Same rates as Tower — call (720) 590-4040 for current 2026 pricing
Same as Tower (3-ton min for commercial)
Hours
Mon–Fri 6:00 AM – 4:30 PM (hand unloading stops 4:30 PM) · Sat 7:00 AM – 1:00 PM (hand unloading stops 12:30 PM) · Closed Sun
Area
Golden (8900 Highway 93, Golden, CO 80403 — Jefferson County)
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.
Rules & Restrictions
Know before you go — avoid rejected loads and fines.
Executive Order 115 requires ALL waste generated within Denver city limits to go to DADS in Aurora. Operators picking up junk in Denver cannot legally use Tower, Foothills, or Front Range Landfill for that waste. Suburban waste (Aurora, Lakewood, Arvada) can go to any permitted facility.
Uncovered loads incur DOUBLE the standard load price under Colorado state law — not a surcharge but a full doubling. This is enforced at every facility in the metro.
Electronics are banned from Colorado landfills. Tires, batteries, and liquids are prohibited at Tower and Foothills. Propane tanks must have the valve removed 72+ hours prior to arrival at Tower/Foothills.
DADS requires a WM commercial account with waste approval profiles for special waste. Contact Tech Sales at (800) 963-4776 or TSWestern@wm.com to register.
Tower and Foothills add three mandatory surcharges: FRF (8–15%), ERF ($19.71/load), and SWUF ($3.17/ton). These add approximately $33–$39 to a typical 2-ton load on top of base rates.
CDPHE Solid Waste User Fee surcharge at all Colorado landfills: $1.50/ton through June 2026, $1.74/ton (July 2026–June 2027), $2.00/ton (July 2027+).
Executive Order 115 creates a routing constraint — DADS is located far east in Aurora, making it a significant drive from west Denver. Operators working both Denver and suburban jobs should plan loads by origin: Denver waste to DADS, suburban waste to the nearest Republic or Waste Connections facility.
Denver's Waste No More Ordinance takes effect September 2026 — C&D projects over 500 sq ft must divert 50% of materials (concrete, asphalt, masonry, untreated wood, metal, corrugated cardboard). This creates business opportunities for operators who can offer sorted/diverted waste streams.
DADS has approximately 150+ years of remaining capacity (expected closure 2158) — no near-term closure concerns. Tower processes the adjacent Commerce City and Thornton free landfill days — avoid those specific Saturdays for shorter lines.
Cost-Saving Tips
Margin protection playbook — sorting, timing, and routing.
Sorting Strategy
Divert recyclables to Cherry Creek Recycling (free, 7699 E Jewell Ave) or DADS Recycling Convenience Center (free) before weighing MSW at the scale. Cardboard, paper, glass, and metals diverted = lighter load = lower tipping fee.
Sell scrap metal at Denver Scrap Metal ((303) 297-1818, open 7 days), Rocky Mountain Recycling (rmrscrap.com), Atlas Metal and Iron (largest wire chopping in the Rockies), or Iron and Metals Inc. (drive-in scale). Copper at approximately $2.12/lb and brass at approximately $1.16/lb make metal separation highly profitable.
Donate working appliances and furniture to Habitat for Humanity ReStore at 70 Rio Grande Blvd, Denver ((303) 722-5863, open daily 10 AM–6 PM). Free pickup available for Metro Denver zip codes. Freon appliance handling fee is $20/unit. Additional ReStore locations in Aurora, Littleton, and Arvada.
Timing Strategy
DADS has the longest hours in the metro — weekdays until 7:30 PM and Saturdays until 5:00 PM. Use the extended evening window for late-day Denver dumps instead of rushing to beat earlier cutoffs at suburban landfills.
Tower Landfill runs continuously from Monday 5:00 AM through Saturday 3:00 PM — no overnight closing on weekdays. Early morning (6–7:30 AM) mid-week is consistently the lowest traffic. Avoid Saturdays and spring cleanup season (April–June).
Avoid Commerce City and Thornton free landfill days at Tower — specific Saturday events that cause significant line backups. Check with the city for scheduled dates.
Routing Strategy
Denver city-origin jobs: DADS at 3500 S Gun Club Road, Aurora (mandatory under EO 115). Use the Recycling Center on-site for free recyclable and e-waste diversion before hitting the MSW scale.
West metro suburban jobs (Lakewood, Arvada, Golden): Foothills Landfill at 8900 Highway 93 in Golden. Avoids the long cross-metro drive to DADS or Tower.
North metro suburban jobs (Commerce City, Thornton, Westminster, Erie): Tower Landfill at 19260 E 88th Ave or Front Range Landfill at 1830 Weld County Road 5 in Erie. Route based on job location to minimize windshield time.
Best Practice
Denver's Executive Order 115 means operators working both Denver and suburban jobs are forced to route by waste origin — you can't just go to the cheapest facility for every load. ScaleYourJunk logs dump fees per job automatically so you can see your actual blended disposal cost across DADS (Denver loads) and Tower/Foothills (suburban loads) — and whether the mandatory Republic surcharges make suburban disposal more expensive than it appears at the base rate.
Two Disposal Systems, One Bottom Line
ScaleYourJunk tracks disposal costs per job across DADS and suburban landfills so you know your true blended rate — including all mandatory surcharges.
Dump Fees in Denver: FAQ
Related Resources
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DataColorado Springs Dump Fees
Facility data and disposal options for operators also servicing the Colorado Springs market, 70 miles south.
GuideAccounting Best Practices
Track disposal costs accurately — critical when mandatory surcharges inflate base rates by 40%+.
FeatureLoad-Based Pricing Engine
Build accurate disposal costs into every quote with volume-based pricing tiers.
Executive Order 115 + Hidden Surcharges = Track Everything
ScaleYourJunk logs disposal costs per job so you know your true blended rate across DADS and suburban landfills — including every mandatory surcharge.
Dump fee tracking included in all plans — Starter $149/mo