DENVER — The holidays have come and gone but that doesn’t mean your Christmas tree can’t have other uses in the new year.
"This is one of those really great opportunities to just be a little bit more conscious about about our waste and find a more sustainable outlet for it," said Nina Waysdorf, Denver's Waste Diversion and Recycling Manager.
"These trees came out of the ground. We can mulch them up and put them back on the ground to help with our gardens and farms," she said.
In Denver, the mulch gets redistributed back to the public for free at a mulch giveaway the first Saturday in May. And many other cities do the same.
Even if you're still enjoying your tree for now, Denver's Treecycle program runs through the end of January, "so there's plenty of opportunity to take care of it whenever you're done," Waysdorf said.
Across the Front Range, you can drop off your old tree at the location closest to you — and some cities and counties even let you place your tree on the curb outside your home for pick up. Make sure all decorations, lights and tree stands are removed before dropping off your tree. No artificial trees will be accepted. Some locations require photo ID to prove you are a resident of the city or county where you're dropping off.
ARVADA
Arvada residents can drop off trees from Dec. 26 to Jan. 20 between 6:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., seven days a week. Residents dropping off trees can load up on free mulch at the same time at this location:
Stenger Sports Complex – West 58th Ave. and Oak St.
For more information, visit the Arvada Christmas Tree Recycling webpage.
AURORA
The city of Aurora will recycle your Christmas tree for free from Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024, through Monday, Jan. 6, 2025, at the following locations:
Del Mar Park – 12000 E. 6th Ave. (at Peoria St. in the west parking lot)
Saddle Rock Golf Course – 21705 E. Arapahoe Road (west of E-470)
Olympic Park – 15501 E. Yale Ave. (east of Chambers Road)
BOULDER COUNTY
Western Disposal accepts trees at its Materials Management Center at 2051 63rd Street in Boulder. Trees that are longer than six feet have to be cut in half. Customers with residential curbside compost service can also cut up their trees and place them in their compost bins on compost collection day.
For more information, visit the Western Disposal website.
BROOMFIELD
Broomfield residents can drop off their trees between Dec. 19 and Jan. 15. at any of these locations:
Bronco Park – Westlake Drive and Grove Circle. Drop-off is north of the backstop.
Broadlands Park West – Sheridan Boulevard and Meadow Mountain Drive. Drop-off is on the northwest side of the parking lot.
Lac Amora Park – Miramonte Boulevard and Oak Circle North. Drop-off is north of the playground.
Community Park Ball Fields – Community Park Drive and Spader Way. Drop-off is west of George Hall Field.
Broomfield Recycle Center – Industrial Lane and Commerce Street. Drop-off is west of the recycle bins.
Meridian Park – McKay Circle and Park Cove Way in McKay Landing. Drop-off is located north of the backstop.
Anthem Community Park Parking Lot – Approximately 1/2 mile east of Lowell on Sheridan Pkwy (not the small parking lot designated for reservoir access). Drop-off is located on the east side of the parking lot.
Tree Branch Recycling Facility – 2990 W. 124th Ave. Drop-off is located east of the guard shack by the mulch pile.
For more information, visit the Broomfield Tree Branch Recycling webpage.
CASTLE ROCK
From Dec. 26, 2024, through Jan. 31, 2025, head to the following locations in Castle Rock to have your tree recycled:
Founders Park, 4671 Enderud Blvd.
Metzler Ranch Community Park, 4175 Trail Boss Drive
Paintbrush Park, 3492 Meadows Blvd.
You can also head to Fairgrounds Regional Park, 500 Fairgrounds Drive in Castle Rock, to recycle your tree. Contact Douglas County Parks for information regarding this site at 720-733-6990.
DOUGLAS COUNTY
From Dec. 26, 2024, through Jan. 31, 2025, head to the following locations:
Bayou Gulch, 4815 Fox Sparrow Road, Parker
Challenger Regional Park, 17299 E. Lincoln Ave., Parker
Fairgrounds Regional Park, 500 Fairgrounds Drive, Castle Rock
Highland Heritage Regional Park, 9651 S. Quebec St., Highlands Ranch
Mulch is available on-site while supplies last on a self-serve basis.
CENTENNIAL
From Dec. 26 to Jan. 12, people in Centennial can drop off their Christmas tree at:
Lookout Park, 5455 S. Riviera Way
Piney Creek Hollow Park, 6140 S. Tower Road
Willow Spring Service Center, 7100 S. Holly St (use the designated enclosure by the front gate)
Residents can recycle their string lights at:
Lookout Park, 5455 S. Riviera Way
Piney Creek Hollow Park, 6140 S. Tower Road
Centennial Civic Center, 13133 E. Arapahoe Road
City’s Eagle Street Facility, 7272 S. Eagle Street
Artificial trees will not be accepted. Free mulch will be available on a first-come, first-served basis at Lookout Park and Piney Creek Hollow Park starting Jan. 1, 2025.
DENVER
From Dec. 26 to Jan. 31, Denverites can drop their Christmas trees on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the following locations:
Cherry Creek Transfer Station – 7301 E. Jewell Ave. (enter on E. Jewell Ave.)
Havana Nursery – 10450 Smith Rd. (enter on Smith Road)
Central Platte Campus – 1271 W. Bayaud Ave. (next to the Denver Animal Shelter)
Those looking to drop their trees on Saturdays can do so on Jan. 4 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the following locations:
Sloan’s Lake Park (Northwest Parking Lot) - W. Byron Pl. and Yates St.
Fred Thomas Park - 2400 Quebec St.
Evie Dennis School Campus - 4800 Telluride St.
John F. Kennedy High School - 2855 S. Lamar St.
Central Platte Campus - 1271 W. Bayaud Ave. EXTENDED HOURS UNTIL 4:00 p.m.
Those looking to drop their trees on Saturdays can do so on January 11th and January 18th from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the following locations:
Sloan’s Lake Park (Northwest Parking Lot) - W. Byron Pl. and Yates St.
Bruce Randolph School - 3955 Steele St.
Fred Thomas Park - 2400 Quebec St.
Evie Dennis School Campus - 4800 Telluride St.
Central Platte Campus - 1271 W. Bayaud Ave. EXTENDED HOURS UNTIL 4:00 p.m.
Cherry Creek Transfer Station - 7301 E. Jewell Ave.
Havana Nursery - 10450 Smith Rd.
Carson Elementary - 5420 E 1st Ave.
John F. Kennedy High School - 2855 S. Lamar St.
Congress Park - E. 9th and Josephine St.
Trees received at those Denver drop sites will be turned into mulch made available to Denver residents for free at the city’s annual Mulch Giveaway in the spring. Residents that don’t wish to recycle their tree can set their tree out for collection on their large item pickup day. Trees left out for large item pickup will not be turned into mulch.
Denverites can also recycle their broken or burned holiday lights for free at the Cherry Creek Recycling Drop-off or Blue Star Recyclers at 953 Decatur St. until Dec. 31. Please note: Holiday lights will only be accepted for recycling at drop off locations and cannot be placed in purple recycling carts.
ERIE
If you live in Erie, you can drop off your tree for free any weekday or weekend between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Just be sure to bring your photo ID.
Erie Recycling Center – 1000 Briggs Street
For more information, visit Erie's Tree Recycling webpage.
FORT COLLINS
For a fee of $5 per tree (plus a $5 entry fee at the Timberline Recycling Center), these locations in Fort Collins will recycle your Christmas tree from Dec. 26 to Jan. 16.
Ewing Landscape Materials – 3501 E. Prospect Ave.
Timberline Recycling Center – 1903 S. Timberline Road
Larimer County Green Waste Program – 5887 S. Taft Hill Rd.
For more information, visit the Fort Collins Live Christmas Tree Recycling webpage.
GREELEY
Any Greeley or Weld County resident can drop off their tree for free between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday, starting Dec. 26 through the end of January, except for Jan. 1 when the GROW Center will close for the New Year’s Day holiday.
Greeley Organic Waste (GROW) Recycling Center – 1130 E 8th St.
For more information, visit Greeley's Christmas tree recycling webpage.
GREENWOOD VILLAGE
Single-family homeowners in Greenwood Village can leave their Christmas tree curbside on their regularly scheduled trash day from Dec. 26 through Jan. 10 for crews to collect them to use as mulch.
Make sure the trees are separate from your household trash and all decorations have been removed. For more information, call Parks, Trails, and Recreation at 303-486-5773 or email ptr@greenwoodvillage.com.
After January 10, 2024, holiday trees can be disposed of through coordinating a Large Item Pick Up with Public Works. Large Item Pick Up is a free service for residents, but residents must call ahead to schedule a date and time to receive this service.
Greenwood Village resident can also drop their undecorated trees off in the north parking lot of Village Greens Park, 9501 East Union Avenue starting Dec. 23 through Jan. 31, 2024. For more information, call Parks, Trails, and Recreation at 303-486-5773 or email ptr@greenwoodvillage.com.
HIGHLANDS RANCH
From Dec. 25, 2024, through Jan. 16, 2025, head to the following locations in Highlands Ranch:
Dad Clark Park, 3385 Asterbrook Cir.
Redstone Park, 3280 Redstone Park Cir.
Toepfer Park, 9480 Venneford Ranch Rd.
Contact the Highlands Ranch Metro District at 303-791-0430 for information about any of the above locations.
You can also head to Highland Heritage Regional Park, 9651 S. Quebec St., to recycle your tree. Contact Douglas County Parks for information regarding this site at 720-733-6990.
LAFAYETTE
Republic Services will pick up Christmas trees for composting during regular weekly service throughout January, February and March, at no additional cost. Cut trees into four-foot lengths and bundle with rope or twine, then place your tree next to your compost cart during your weekly collection.
For more information, visit the Lafayette Christmas Tree Disposal webpage.
LAKEWOOD
The city of Lakewood will offer tree recycling from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 26 through Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025.
Tree drop-off will take place at Lakewood’s Greenhouse, 9556 W. Yale Ave. The greenhouse is located between Estes and old Kipling streets. Please follow posted signs and drop trees in the designated area.
This service handles Christmas trees from residents only.
Wreaths, garland, tree limbs, and trees from private contractors will not be accepted.
For more information, please call 720-963-5240 or visit Lakewood.org/TreeRecycling.
LITTLETON
From Dec. 26 through Jan. 10 between 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., you can drop off your tree at these locations any day of the week:
Cornerstone Park – 5150 S. Windermere Street at the corner of W. Belleview Avenue and S. Windermere Street
Willow Spring Service Center – 7100 S. Holly Street
For more information, visit Littleton's Christmas Tree Recycling webpage.
LONGMONT
From Dec. 26 through Jan. 6, the City of Longmont you can drop off your tree at any of these locations:
Roosevelt Park - In the parking lot south of 8th Avenue and Pratt Street, by Roosevelt Activity Pool.
Garden Acres Park - In the parking lot at 18th Avenue and Tulip Street.
Kanemoto Park - In the parking lot at South Pratt Parkway and South Coffman Street.
Centennial Park - In the parking lot at Alpine Street and Verdant Circle.
Longmont Recycling Center - 140 Martin St.
For more information, visit the Longmont Holiday Recycling webpage.
LOUISVILLE
Drop off your Christmas tree on Saturday, Jan. 4 between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the Branch Site Recycling Center
For more information and directions, visit LouisvilleCO.gov/LeafandBranch or contact City Forester Chris Lichty at 303-335-4733.
NORTHGLENN
Northglenn residents can cut up their tree and put it in their trash cart. However, the lid must be closed. Trees left on the curb will NOT be taken. You can also drop off your tree from Dec. 26 through Jan. 7 at any of these locations:
Maintenance and Operations Facility 12301 Claude Court
Northwest Open Space 112th Ave. and Ranch Dr.
Jaycee Park Leroy Dr. and Irma Dr.
For more information, visit the Northglenn Tree Recycling webpage.
PARKER
From Dec. 25, 2024, through Jan. 29, 2025, from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., head to the following locations in Parker:
Salisbury Park (West paved parking lot), 11920 S. Motsenbocker Rd.
Contact the Town of Parker at 303-840-9546 for more information about this site. Mulch is available on a self-serve basis on-site while supplies last for the first week in January.
You can also head to the following locations to recycle your tree:
Bayou Gulch, 4815 Fox Sparrow Road, Parker
Challenger Regional Park, 17299 E. Lincoln Ave., Parker
Contact Douglas County Parks for information regarding this site at 720-733-6990.
SUPERIOR
From Dec. 26 to Jan. 31, Town's Yard Waste site at 2125 Honey Creek Lane will open every day from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to accommodate Christmas tree recycling.
For more information, visit the Superior Yard Waste Site webpage.
THORNTON
Thornton residents have two options: curbside pick up or drop off.
City trash/recycle customers may place natural Christmas trees at the curb for collection on their regular trash day Dec. 30 through Jan. 10. Do not wrap trees in plastic and remove all ornaments and lights. Trees may be picked up by a truck/trailer separate from the trash collection truck. If it is not picked up with your containers, please do not call us. As long as your tree was at the curb by 7 a.m., please leave it out at the curb and it will be picked up.
You can also drop off your tree on Saturday, Jan. 11 between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Thornton's IMC, 12450 Washington Street. Use the north entrance with access from 126th Avenue, east of Washington Street (126th Ave. & Ogden St.)
For more information, visit the Thornton Trash and Recycling webpage.
WESTMINSTER
Westminster residents may recycle their Christmas trees at the lower parking lot of City Park Fitness Center (10475 Sheridan Blvd.) from Dec. 25, 2024 through Jan. 25, 2025, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
WINDSOR
People in the Town of Windsor can drop off their Christmas tree during daylight hours until Sunday, Jan. 28, at the Chimney Park Ballfields parking lot located at 501 Chimney Park Dr.
Artificial trees, wreaths, brush, and other yard waste are not accepted including trees from commercial or Christmas tree lots. Limit one tree per household.
Prior to being mulched, trees will be used one last time as part of Windsor’s nature play tradition, Magical Forest, scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 24 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Chimney Park Ballfields.
Families can enjoy complimentary hot chocolate from the Human Bean and build forts, giant bird nests and more. Learn more by viewing the winter Activity Guide at recreationliveshere.com/activityguide.
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