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1. Is it acceptable to place furniture, large items or overflow trash next to a dumpster or trash container?

No. Routine trash collection services DO NOT include the following: furniture, construction materials, large items, appliances, tires, landscaping materials, hazardous materials, and paint. All trash must be placed in the trash container and containers should not be overfilled. 

See the Special Waste Disposal for more information about disposing of electronics, paint, and hazardous household waste.

See the Trash and Recycling Services page for details about the city's collection services for materials that are not allowed in its routine collection services.

Special Waste Disposal Services

2. How can I schedule special trash pickup services and what is the cost?

The city offers special sanitation services for some items, such as tree limbs, appliances, and furniture, that are not included in the routine residential service.  Extra pickup services can be scheduled using the city's automated Utility Information Hotline at 240-1401, or by calling 240-1480. Fees for special residential services will be included on your monthly utility bill. A detailed listing of the city's service fees is available in Chapter 3-1 of the City Regulations Manual.

3. If my normal trash pickup day falls on a city-observed holiday, what day will it be collected?

Scheduled trash collection days that fall on a city-observed holiday will be rescheduled to occur on alternative days on the same week. The Holiday Collection Schedules and Maps document provides collection information for each holiday. The holidays observed by the city are: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Notices are routinely placed on utility bills to alert customers to changes in collection schedules due to holidays.

4. How do I dispose of household hazardous waste?

There is no facility in Montrose for disposing of hazardous waste. Events that the city may sponsor for collecting household hazardous waste, paint, electronics, and similar materials will be advertised in the City Beat newsletter and on the city's website. Hazardous materials and electronic wastes should never be placed in city trash containers. See the Special Waste Disposal page for more detailed information.

Helpful tips for handling special waste ...

5. What day does my trash get picked up?

Residential trash collection services are provided once each week on a designated pick-up day that is specific to location. See the Collection Routes Map for the designated collection day for a specific location.

6. Why wasn't my trash picked up today?

Missed pickups are usually due to one of the following: 

• Failure to get the container to the street by 6:00 a.m.
• Obstructions, such as vehicles, that block access to the container(s). Maintain four feet of clearance on either side of trash and/or recycling containers. If trash and recycling pickups are scheduled for the same day, maintain four feet of clearance between containers.
• Overfilled containers and/or prohibited items
• Holiday service interruptions. See the Holiday Collection Schedules and Maps for specific rescheduling information.

The city is not responsible for the customer's failure to use sanitation services properly. If the city is responsible for the missed pickup, please call 240-1480 to correct the problem.

7. What time do I have to have my trash container at curbside?

Containers must be placed curbside by 6:00 am on the scheduled collection day. A $35 charge will be assessed if the customer requests the driver to return for service on the same day.

8. How do I get my trash container repaired?

Call 240-1480 or 240-1400 to schedule a repair. The city will not clean or trade-out smelly containers. Washing containers with a mild bleach solution will help control odors.

9. What should I do if I regularly exceed the capacity of my residential trash container?

A single 90-gallon container (the standard size of residential trash containers) will provide adequate capacity for most households. Those who regularly exceed the capacity of their container have three options: 1) reduce the amount of waste created, 2) divert waste by recycling and composting, and 3) acquire one additional trash container for an additional monthly fee. To minimize administrative costs, customers requesting additional containers will be required to maintain the service for a minimum of eight months. Call 240-1400 for further information about obtaining an additional trash container.

10. Who is responsible for caring for trash in alleys?

Loose trash in alleys often results from overfilling trash containers or from placing trash bags alongside a full container. Residents and businesses adjoining the alley are responsible for abiding by the city's sanitation rules and for keeping the alley clean. Illegal dumping should be reported immediately by calling 970-252-5298.

11. Will the city pick up discarded refrigerators?

Yes. A pick-up fee will be charged, plus an additional $20 fee for the removal of freon. If the refrigerator/freezer is delivered to the City Shop, located near the northwest corner of the intersection of San Juan and Park Avenues, the customer will be charged only the $20 freon removal fee. Freon must NOT have been previously removed. Certified technicians will remove freon from each unit before it is sent to a recycler. Refrigerators may be delivered to the City Shop Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. by appointment (customer should bring adequate assistance to unload). Payment by cash, credit card, or check at the time of delivery. To schedule an appliance pickup or an appointment to deliver, call 240-1480. 

12. Who operates the Montrose County landfill?

The Montrose County landfill, located at 67999 Landfill Road, is owned by Montrose County and operated under a contract with Waste Management of Colorado. Information about the landfill's hours of operation, disposal fees, and other details are available on the Montrose County website.