Rake Up and Recycle Your Leaves at Free Denver Drop Sites

What do you do with all of those leaves after you’ve made a big pile and jumped in them a few times? Well, it’s time again for Denver’s Annual LeafDrop. Weekday drop off sites will be open from October 6 through Friday, November 21, 2025. Weekend sites are open  November 8 & 9 only. Leaves collected through the program will be turned into a high-quality compost and sold to residents next May. There’s lots of information, so let’s just get to it.

First, it’s FREE. However, it’s for Denver residents only.

Instead of plastic bags, paper are recommended, as paper bags can also be composted. Participating Ace Hardware stores are giving away FREE 5-pack 30-gallon paper leaf and yard bags, while supplies last (one per household)

You’ll need a coupon for the freebie. Additional 5-packs are around $2.50.

You cannot drop leaves at the sites, except for the times and dates below. (It’s considered public dumping, if you do so.)

Hitched trailers (6-feet in length or less) are only accepted at the Cherry Creek Transfer Station.

Where are the drop sites?

WEEKDAYS: Now through November 21 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., you can drop them at:

Cherry Creek Transfer Station (7301 E. Jewell Ave.)

Havana Nursery (10450 Smith Rd. – south of I-70)

Central Platte Campus (1271 W. Bayaud — next to the Denver Animal Shelter).

All leaves brought to Havana or Central Platte collection sites MUST be in paper bags.

WEEKENDS (SATURDAY & SUNDAY): November 8 & 9 only from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. you can drop them at:

• Bruce Randolph High School — 3955 Steele St. (E. 40th Ave. & Steele St.)
• Veterans Park — 2100 E. Iowa Ave. (S. Vine St. & E. Iowa Ave.)
• Cherry Creek Transfer Station — 7301 E. Jewell Ave. (Quebec St. & Cherry Creek Dr. South)
• Kennedy High School — 2855 S. Lamar St. (Newland St. & Brown Pl.)
• Sloan’s Lake Northwest Parking Lot — W. Byron Pl. and Yates St.

All leaves brought to weekend sites, except Cherry Creek, MUST be in paper bags.

Note: Compost customers can put leaves and other yard debris in their green carts.

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