Nationally, approximately 93% of the real Christmas trees are recycled through community programs. Colorado is no exception with most cities and/or counties offering FREE Christmas Tree Recycle. Some programs have already started and run into January, with drop-off sites open various length of time, from the first week in January to as long as January 31.
A few municipalities offer curb-side pick-up, others ask you to take your tree to a drop-off site. There is no comprehensive site, but here are links to many Front Range programs.
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Arvada
Residents can drop off Christmas trees from December 26, 2023, through January 15, 2024 at Stenger Sports Complex (West 58th Ave. at Oak St.) between 6:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. TBD 2025
Aurora
Has three self-service sites — Del Mar Park, Olympic Park and Saddle Rock Golf Course open December 26, 2023, to January 8, 2024. Please remove all nails, decorations and stands for the tree. Free mulch is available anytime (while supplies last) at all drop-off locations. Please bring your own truck, bags, shovel and containers. Call 303-739-7177 for more information. TBD 2025
Boulder (City & County)
Accepting trees at Western Disposal (2051 63rd St., Boulder) through January 31. Trees can also be picked up curbside on your residential compost day. TDB 2025
Denver Treecycle 2024/2025
Starts December 26, 2024. Locations open to January 31, 2025.
Douglas County
(Including Parker, Castle Rock and Highlands Ranch) has a number of drop-off locations starting December 26, 2024, to January 31, 2025.
County operated sites (drop off anytime) include:
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
Find additional municipal sites and recycling details here for Parker, Castle Rock and Highlands Ranch.
Erie
Accepting trees daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Erie Recycling Center (1000 Briggs St.) year-round!
Lakewood
Offers Christmas tree recycling to city residents from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. December 26 through January 5, 2025. Drop trees off at Lakewood’s Greenhouse (9556 W. Yale Ave.). Learn more by calling 720-963-5240.
Littleton
Is partnering with South Suburban Parks & Recreation to offer recycling at two locations from December 26 through January 10, 2025. Locations include South Suburban’s Willow Spring Service Center (7100 S. Holly St. in Centennial) and Cornerstone Park (5150 S. Windermere St., Centennial).
Residents can drop off their tree seven days a week from sunrise to sunset at both locations.
Longmont
Accepting trees from December 26 through January 6, 2025, at four satellite Christmas tree drop-off 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.
Also, accepting trees at the Longmont Recycling Center, Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Closed on January 1, 2025)
Please be sure to bring a current City of Longmont Utility Bill and identification to show that you are a City resident.
Superior
Accepts trees from December 26 through January 31 daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Yard Waste Recycling Site (2125 Honey Creek Dr.).
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Before you take advantage of a recycling program, please be sure to check with the recycle site for important instructions about how to prepare your tree. It is important for the safety of the crews and machinery that all ornaments, lights, tinsel, nails, wire, garlands and stands be removed.
Many recycling programs cannot accept flocked trees. A good rule of thumb is to take your tree to the recycle site in the same condition as you would find it naturally in the forest.