Denver residents can set trees out for recycling between Jan. 3-14.
Ah, the age-old question, ‘how long should Christmas decorations stay up?’ Once you’ve come to the conclusion that they can’t be forever you might next wonder what to do with that tree, those lights and all the remnants of your gifts. The good news is that you can recycle many things you used to display your holiday cheer.
Across Denver and Colorado, cities and programs will help take those items off your hands.
In Denver, you can recycle your old holiday lights for free from Dec. 6 to Jan. 8. Take the old lights to Cherry Creek Recycling Drop-off or Blue Star Recyclers and follow these instructions.
Those Christmas cards on your fridge or wrapping paper still scampered in the living room? Most often that too can be recycled and in your regular bin. Just make sure there’s no glitter or foil this can not be recycled. While tap is okay, metallic is not. And be sure to dispose of ribbons and batteries that might be on cards or paper before recycling.
As for the trees here’s where you need to go:
In Denver, Treecycle is a program for Denver residents from Denver Recycles. Discarded Christmas trees will be turned into mulch after the holiday season and free Treecycle mulch is made available to Denver residents at the Mulch Giveaway and Compost Sale in May.
All you have to do is be a Denver resident, set your tree out on your collection day between Jan. 3-14. One thing to keep in mind is that trash collection days are changing for many in the new year.
If you’re not in Denver here’s what you do with your tree around the metro area:
Adams County
Remove your decorations and head to Riverdale Regional Park. From Jan. 3 through Jan. 10 the Adams County’s Parks, Open Space & Cultural Arts Department is offering free live Christmas tree recycling from sunrise to sunset. For more details, call 303-637-8000.
Arvada
Head to Lake Arbor Lake Park or Stenger Fields and the City of Arvada will accept Christmas trees for free from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week through Jan. 24, 2022.
Aurora
There are several drop-off sites that offer free recycling until Jan. 10 including Del Mar Park, Saddle Rock Golf Course and Olympic Park. Call 303-739-7177 for more information.
Castle Rock
Residents of Castle Rock can goto Founders Park, Metzler Ranch Community Park or Paintbrush Park until Jan. 31.
Douglas County
Trees can be left at Bayou Gulch, Challenger Regional Park, Fairgrounds Regional Park or Highland Heritage Regional Park. Those sits will be available through Jan. 31 and mulch will be on site. If you need more information call 720-733-6990.
El Paso County
You can recycle trees at visitor center parking lot at Cheyenne Mountain State Park on Jan. 1 from 1-5 p.m., and Jan. 2, 8 and 9 from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. It is suggested you donate $5 per tree, with proceeds going to Friends of Cheyenne Mountain State Park. There’s also a TreeCycle program with seven locations.
Highlands Ranch
Dad Clark Park, Redstone Park and Toepfer Park are offering tree drop off with mulch available to residents through Jan. 17.
Lakewood
Drop off your trees at Lakewood’s Greenhouse from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Jan. 9 if you’re a resident. There’s more info at 720-963-5240.
Littleton
Residents can drop off their tree any day from from sunrise to sunset until Jan. 14 at Cornerstone Park, or at the Willow Spring Service Center.
Longmont
Through Jan. 9 drop-off sites for trees will be at, Roosevelt Park, Garden Acres Park, Kanemoto Park and Centennial Park. There’s more information here.
Northglenn
Residents can leave trees at Northglenn’s Maintenance and Operations Facility, Northwest Open Space or Jaycee Park through Jan. 7.
Summit County
There are several sites you can dispose of your tree. The Summit County Resource Allocation Park (SCRAP,) a collection site in Willowbrook across from Trent Park, Stilson Lot, the Recycling Center across from Town Hall in Dillon, and the Frisco Bay Marina dirt lot.
Visit Denver Post to learn more.
Related Links
If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.
