Downtown Waste District

Considering How We Should Collect Waste Downtown

Purpose: The City of Golden is exploring a potential Downtown Waste Collection District to improve waste and recycling services in the downtown area. This voluntary program could provide more coordinated waste and recycling collection, including the use of an all-electric trash truck, while addressing ongoing downtown challenges such as limited space, alley congestion, inconsistent recycling access, odors, rodents, and grease trails.

The City is exploring whether a coordinated approach could solve challenges that individual businesses and property owners have struggled to address on their own. A district program could provide cleaner service areas, fewer collection trucks, expanded recycling opportunities, and more efficient use of limited downtown space.

Participation in any future program would be completely voluntary, allowing businesses, residents, and property owners to choose whether to participate.

• What’s happening now: Initial community engagement has begun, and City staff are now using early feedback to continue program design and prepare for a competitive solicitation process. The next phase will help identify potential service options, pricing, and operational details for a voluntary downtown waste collection program.
• Location/area affected: Downtown Golden, including areas with shared alleys, high service demand, and existing waste collection challenges.
• What to expect: The City is evaluating a coordinated, district-based waste collection system that could provide daily trash and recycling services, improve cleanliness, and expand access to recycling.
• How to participate: See the "Community Engagement & Feedback Opportunities” section below for ways to share your input.

Timeline / Schedule

• June - August 2026: Program design
  • Evaluation of operational and logistical considerations
  • Identification of service types and equipment needs
• August - September 2026: Pricing and program development
  • Competitive proposal process
  • Development of service options and pricing
• Fall 2026: Review and decision-making
  • Public feedback on proposed program
  • Review by City boards and consideration by City Council

Project Cost

• Estimated cost: To be determined.
• Funding source: The City has secured grant funding to support waste diversion efforts, including evaluation and startup costs for a potential Downtown Waste Collection District. If implemented, waste collection services would be funded primarily through user fees paid by participating customers, similar to other waste collection programs. The City would administer the program and manage service contracts. Over time, statewide funding is expected to help offset costs for recycling through the Producer Responsibility Program.
• Budget status: Pending.

Partners

• City of Golden Sustainability Division
• Community Sustainability Advisory Board
• Downtown Development Authority
• Private waste haulers (to be selected through a competitive process)

Current Challenges

• Limited space in alleys and service areas for storage and collection of waste and recycling.
• Multiple waste haulers operating downtown at different times and days.
• Alley conflicts between waste trucks, deliveries, service vehicles, and other users.
• Restricted access to recycling services for some properties.
• Odors, rodents, grease, and cleanliness concerns around waste storage areas.

Potential Benefits

• Daily trash and recycling collection, reducing the need for large dumpsters and long-term storage.
• Fewer waste collection trucks downtown, reducing congestion in alleys and service areas.
• Expanded access to recycling, cardboard collection, and other waste diversion services.
• Cleaner areas with fewer odor, rodent, and grease issues.
• Reduced noise and vehicle emissions with the use of an all-electric collection truck.

Project Impacts

• Who is impacted: Downtown residents, businesses, property owners, employees, and visitors.
• Type of impact: Changes to how waste and recycling services are provided. Potential changes to costs, service schedules, and container types.
• Duration: Impacts will vary depending on program design and would occur during implementation if the program is approved.

Exploring New Collection Equipment

As part of the City's evaluation of a potential Downtown Waste Collection District, staff hosted a demonstration of an all-electric trash truck on June 9 at the Astor House, followed by a downtown tour.

The all-electric truck represents the type of innovative equipment that could support a downtown collection district. Compared with traditional waste trucks, electric collection vehicles operate more quietly, produce no tailpipe emissions, and may be better suited for frequent service in downtown alleys and service areas.

Grant funding for the Downtown Waste Collection District includes funding for an all-electric mid-size collection truck, which could support future operations while reducing noise and emissions

Community Engagement & Feedback Opportunities

What would make this program worth joining?

The City is seeking feedback from downtown residents, businesses, and property owners about waste collection challenges, service needs, and what would make a voluntary district program valuable enough to participate in.

• Share your feedback using the comment tool at the bottom of this page.
• Attend Community Sustainability Advisory Board meetings and provide public comment.
• Email the Sustainability team: goldensustainability@cityofgolden.gov.

Additional opportunities will be shared as they become available.

Next Steps

• Develop program design and service options
• Conduct a competitive solicitation process to obtain pricing from qualified waste haulers
• Share program proposal with stakeholders for public feedback
• Present a final approach to City boards and City Council

Project Background

Waste and recycling collection in downtown Golden has evolved over several years and currently operates as an open market system, where building owners contract with their preferred waste hauler. The City has also administered a public bin waste collection program on Washington Avenue since 2008.

Feedback from businesses and residents has identified several challenges, including limited space for waste storage, restricted access to recycling services, alley congestion, and issues related to odors, rodents, and cleanliness.

The Downtown Waste Collection District is being explored as one option to address these challenges through a coordinated, city-managed approach.