Golden's Next Pay-As-You-Throw Waste Collection Contract
Waste Hauler Bids and Proposals available for review
After a public bidding process, four bids were received for consideration of the next five-year residential waste contract. New this year, is the inclusion of the State of Colorado's Extended Producer Responsibility program, a financial rebate for recycling services to all Coloradoans.
This summary of pricing is inclusive of the EPR rebate, which will be passed along as a benefit to all Golden customers of the program. A nominal cart maintenance fee will be added before City Council finalizes exact pricing to Golden customers.
| Apex Waste | 5280 Disposal | Republic Services | Waste Management | |
| 32 gallon waste | $16.00 | $6.38 | $9.06 | $12.63 |
| 64 gallon waste | $23.00 | $15.30 | $17.50 | $20.21 |
| 96 gallon waste | $31.00 | $27.20 | $28.58 | $30.31 |
| Two 96 gallon waste | $40.95 | $62.91 | $43.58 | $60.62 |
| 2 cubic yard waste dumpster | $86.70 | $51.01 | $48.21 | $46.06 |
| 3 cubic yard waste dumpster | $119.95 | $65.88 | $73.21 | $69.09 |
for more detailed information, please see the comparison and bid proposals.
How can I provide my opinion or input before a decision is made?
- email goldensustainability@cityofofgolden.gov
- Call Theresa Worsham, Sustainability Manager at 303-384-8117
- Attend the Community Sustainability Advisory Board meeting on Wednesday, May 27th at 6:00 pm at City Hall. The board and staff will make recommendations to City Council for the selection of a hauler. The City staff recommendation is available for review.
- Attend the City Council review, scheduled for June 9th at 7:00 pm
Share Your Input for Golden's Waste Services
The City is preparing for the next Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) waste collection contract--thank you everyone who responded to the survey!
Golden’s residential PAYT program reduces landfill waste by offering recycling and composting alongside trash service. Since adding these services, the community’s diversion rate has increased more than 15%, conserving landfill space and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Landfill capacity in our region is limited, and disposal costs are expected to increase over time. Recycling and composting extend the life of our landfill and create valuable products—compost becomes healthy soil, and recyclables are made into new materials. These efforts support Golden’s goal of diverting 80% of waste from landfills by 2030.
An RFP has been issued to find a new waste hauler for the city.
Timeline
- Oct. 1-15, 2025: Community survey open for feedback.
- Oct. – Dec. 2025: Survey results reviewed by city staff and the Community Sustainability Advisory Board.
- Jan. – Aug. 2026: City issues a request for proposals, reviews bids, and negotiates a contract with the selected waste hauler.
- Sept. 1, 2026: New PAYT contract begins.
History of Golden's Pay-As-You-Throw Program
Golden’s PAYT program was created to support the City’s sustainability goals and reduce the community’s reliance on landfills.
- In 2007, City Council set a goal to reduce Golden’s solid waste stream by 25% by 2017, leading to the development of a single-hauler waste program.
- In 2010, Council passed Ordinance 1868 and launched PAYT, contracting Waste Management to provide trash and recycling services for residential households.
- In 2015, the City selected Alpine Waste & Recycling for a new five-year contract, which expanded the optional compost program citywide to all single-family neighborhoods.
- In 2020, this contract was extended for one year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- In 2021, a new contract with Republic Services expanded the PAYT program to include curbside compost as a standard service and seasonal yard waste collections.
Today, the PAYT program provides trash, recycling, and compost service to more than 4,700 households. These services, along with bundled yard waste and large-item pickup options, have helped Golden increase its waste diversion rate by more than 15% since the program began.
For more information about current PAYT services, visit our Trash, Recycling and Compost page.$
