Westminster to Launch Free Curbside Recycling in 2027
Westminster City Council unanimously approved free curbside recycling, with haulers required to offer compost and variable-rate trash pricing.
Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in City Hall
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Westminster City Council unanimously approved free curbside recycling for residents, to begin January 1, 2027. Haulers will also be required to offer curbside compost services and a variable-rate price structure for trash collection.
Why it matters
The changes are part of efforts to make living and working in Westminster more affordable, and residents have requested free recycling for years. Variable-rate pricing is expected to encourage households to produce less trash and recycle and compost more.
Westminster's ordinance requires haulers to offer curbside recycling starting January 1, 2027, and fines can reach $500 for a second violation and $1,000 for a third under the city's alignment with state law. The stub does not specify the variable-rate pricing structure or the expected cost impact on residents.
The players
Westminster City Council
The elected governing body of the city of Westminster, which approved the curbside recycling, compost, variable-rate pricing and single-use plastic changes.
The details
The council's code change lets city staff verify curbside recycling is offered during hauler license renewals and approvals. The city will also align with House Bill 21-1162, which phased out single-use plastic carryout bags and banned polystyrene food containers statewide, and allows staff to enforce fines for noncompliance.
Timeline
2021: Colorado House Bill 21-1162 phased out single-use plastic bags.
November 11, 2026: Westminster City Council approved the changes.
January 1, 2027: Free curbside recycling and hauler requirements take effect.
Political Context
Westminster's changes build on Colorado House Bill 21-1162, which phased out single-use plastic carryout bags and banned polystyrene food containers statewide. The city is adding local enforcement and curbside recycling and composting requirements on top of that state framework.
Residents will receive free curbside recycling starting January 1, 2027, and haulers must offer compost and a variable-rate trash price structure. Households that generate less trash may see savings under the new pricing model.
The takeaway
Households that reduce trash and use recycling and compost services are likely to benefit most from the new variable-rate pricing. Residents should watch for hauler service changes ahead of the January 2027 start date.
What happens next
Free curbside recycling and hauler requirements take effect January 1, 2027.
Further reading
For more on local government decisions in the city, see City Hall coverage for Westminster.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Westminster Window.
Live Poll
Should Westminster charge households by how much trash they throw away?
