Local guide
Where to Dump Junk Yourself in Denver
We are at these gates every week, so here is the guide we wish existed: where to go, what it costs, and when DIY dumping stops making sense.
How Dump Pricing Works
Every facility charges two ways: a minimum load fee for small loads, typically in the $30 to $60 range at metro facilities, and a per-ton rate for anything bigger, generally running $40 to $80 for household and construction debris depending on the facility and material. Uncovered loads get fined at most gates, often double the fee, so bring a tarp and straps. Rates change without much notice, so call before you load.
The Main Facilities
- Denver Arapahoe Disposal Site (DADS), 3500 S. Gun Club Rd, Aurora. The big one: owned by the City of Denver, operated by Waste Management. Open early on weekdays and Saturday daytime. No hazardous or liquid waste; appliances, tires, and electronics carry separate charges.
- Tower Landfill, 8480 Tower Rd, Commerce City. Republic Services facility on the north side, convenient for Thornton, Commerce City, and Brighton loads.
- Front Range Landfill, Erie. Northern option for Boulder and Broomfield county loads; published disposal pricing starts around $46 and climbs with load size and material.
- East Regional Landfill, Bennett. Weekday-only option east of Aurora.
- Cherry Creek Recycling Drop-off (Denver residents) for cardboard, metal, and yard waste, and Rooney Road Recycling Center in Golden for household hazardous waste like paint, chemicals, and oil.
What the Trip Actually Costs
The gate fee is the visible cost. The real bill includes the truck or trailer you need, fuel, the line at the scale on a Saturday morning, the loose nails in the lot, and the half day it eats. One pickup load with a $40 minimum fee is a fine DIY errand. Four loads of remodel debris is a full weekend plus $150 or more in fees, and that is the point where a $350 flat trailer that holds four to five pickup loads, delivered and hauled for you, beats the math.
What No Landfill Will Take
Liquid paint, chemicals, motor oil, and anything hazardous get rejected at the gate. Electronics like TVs and computers are banned from Colorado landfills entirely and must go to an e-waste recycler. Tires carry separate fees everywhere. Worth knowing: we take electronics and tires in our own loads and handle the routing, so the bans above are a DIY problem, not a Mayer problem. See our material guides below for the details.
Or skip the whole trip: our 15 cubic yard trailer is $350 flat delivered to your driveway, or we load it for you. Call or text (303) 521-9910.
Related
Material Guides
Common questions