When that Pumpkin on your Stoop begins to Droop, Bring it to Us! - LeafDrop Sites are open the next three weekends and weekdays through November

[Karvaski, Cynthia A. - DOTI Marketing and Communications Specialist]

 

 

	Cyndi Karvaski Cyndi.K...@denvergov.org 303-819-0111
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 1, 2024
When that Pumpkin on your Stoop begins to Droop, Bring it to Us! LeafDrop Sites are open the next three weekends and weekdays through November; We’ll turn your jack o’ lanterns and fallen leaves into compost   DENVER – Denver’s Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI) is encouraging residents to give their fallen leaves and pumpkins a second life by donating them to be turned into compost through our annual LeafDrop program. In addition to offering three weekday drop-off sites, DOTI now has five weekend drop sites open tomorrow through November 17.   Composting is nature’s way of recycling and returning valuable organic matter and nutrients to soil to be used again to help plants thrive. Compost created through Denver’s LeafDrop Program is made available to Denver residents in the spring.   On Saturdays and Sundays from November 2 to November 17, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Denver residents can drop off their leaves and pumpkins for free at the following weekend locations:   Cherry Creek Transfer Station* – 7301 E. Jewell Ave. (enter on E. Jewell Ave.) Bruce Randolph High School – E. 40th Ave. and Steele St. Kennedy High School – Newland St. and Brown Pl. Sloan’s Lake Northwest Parking Lot – W. Byron Pl. and Yates St. Veterans Park – S. Vine St. and E. Iowa Ave. Three other LeafDrop locations are open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and also Saturday, November 30. Cherry Creek Transfer Station* – 7301 E. Jewell Ave. (enter on E. Jewell Ave.) Havana Nursery – 10450 Smith Rd. (enter on Smith Road) Central Platte Campus – 1271 W. Bayaud Ave. (Enter through the gates at Bayaud and Navajo, go past the Denver Animal Shelter to dumpsters in front of Building 2 on the right.) Note that the Cherry Creek Transfer Station is the only site that accepts loose leaves and hitched trailers (6 ft in length or less); otherwise, leaves should be bagged. Residents can download a coupon to receive a free five-pack of compostable paper leaf bags at participating Ace Hardware stores while supplies last. Leaves dropped off in plastic bags must be emptied on site.  Here are a few more helpful tips: Refrain from including branches or other materials in your leaf bags Don’t use twine or staples to secure paper leaf bags, just roll and crimp Never rake or blow leaves into the street; they can clog our storm sewer inlets and street sweepers. If you are a current city compost customer, you can put leaves and pumpkins in your compost cart!    To learn more about Denver’s LeafDrop Program, please visit denvergov.org/leafdrop. # # #

 

[DOTI Communications]

Cyndi Karvaski Cyndi.K...@denvergov.org 303-819-0111

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 3, 2024

LeafDrop Sites Open This Weekend Reminder of Solid Waste Collection Schedule for the Holiday Season   DENVER – Denver’s Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI) is encouraging residents to give their fallen leaves and pumpkins a second life by donating them to be turned into compost through our annual LeafDrop program. In addition to offering three weekday drop-off sites through November 21, five weekend drop sites are open this Saturday and Sunday, November 8 and 9. Information on drop-off sites can be found at denvergov.org/leafdrop. Compost created through Denver’s LeafDrop Program is made available to Denver residents in the spring.   Fallen leaves and branches can also be placed in your compost cart. Denver trash customers can sign up for compost service at no additional charge at www.denvergov.org/compost.   Solid Waste Management Schedule Modifications Denver’s Solid Waste Management Division is modifying collection schedules to accommodate upcoming staff schedules and holidays.   Veteran’s Day Solid Waste Management will be working on Veteran’s Day Tuesday, November 11, collecting trash, compost, recycling, and large items as usual.   Week of November 24 Denver will not collect compost or recycling, as staff work Monday-Wednesday, observing Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 27, and the citywide furlough day on Friday, November 28.   Thanksgiving week, Denver is asking ALL customers to set out their trash by 6 a.m. the day before regular day of service starting Monday, November 24 and DOTI will collect carts over the course of the 3-day workweek. Monday collections should set their carts out on Monday, Tuesday collections should set their carts out on Monday, Wednesday collections should set their carts out on Tuesday, etc. Residents scheduled to receive Large Item Pickup service the week of November 24 should also set out their items by 6 a.m. the day before regular day of service starting Monday morning, November 24, for collection over the course of Monday through Wednesday.   Week of December 1 Compost collection will resume, and Solid Waste will reset its recycling collection calendar as follows:   ·         Customers currently scheduled to set out their recycling Thanksgiving week (week of November 24) should set their carts out the week of December 1 instead, and then every other week after that for the remainder of the year. ·         Customers currently scheduled to set out their recycling the week of December 1 should set out their recycling the week of December 8, and then every other week after that for the remainder of the year.    In keeping with staff schedules and the holidays outlined above, the Cherry Creek Recycling Center will be closed November 27 - December 1.   Updated collection schedules are displayed on the city’s website and Trash and Recycling App. This schedule change information can also be accessed at www.denvergov.org/trashschedule.   ###

[Karvaski, Cynthia A. - DOTI Marketing and Communications Specialist]

Cyndi Karvaski Cyndi.K...@denvergov.org 303-819-0111

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 9, 2025

Recycle Your Old Holiday Lights for FREE! Now through January 2, 2026   DENVER – Did you find broken, burned-out or impossibly tangled sets of lights stored away with last year’s holiday decorations? Don’t throw them out! Recycle them instead by dropping them off at our Cherry Creek Recycling Center or Blue Star Recyclers through January 2. Please note, holiday lights will only be accepted for recycling at drop off locations and should not be placed in purple recycling carts. Last year, Denver residents recycled 2,153 lbs. of holiday lights - that’s more than one ton of lights!   How to Recycle Your Lights:   Here’s What’s Accepted: Light strings and wires with incandescent, LED, and "icicle" lights Attached bulbs okay   Here’s What’s Not Accepted: Bubble lights (liquid-filled) or neon lights Lights contained in plastic bags or cardboard boxes; please remove light strings from packaging material   FREE Drop-off Locations:   Cherry Creek Recycling Center Located near the intersection of S. Quebec St. and E. Cherry Creek South Drive. Enter going south on Cherry Creek Dr. South (follow the signs) Drop off Tuesday-Friday: 9am-12pm and 1pm-4.30pm (closed 12-1pm), Saturday: 8am-12pm and 1pm-3pm (closed 12-1pm) Closed on Sundays, Mondays, and city holidays   Blue Star Recyclers 953 Decatur St. Denver, CO 80204 Drop off Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Closed on Sundays Note: Blue Star will be closed December 24 - January 1; the drop site will reopen Thursday, January 2   ###

 

[Karvaski, Cynthia A. - DOTI Marketing and Communications Specialist]

Cyndi Karvaski Cyndi.K...@denvergov.org 303-819-0111

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 23, 2025

DOTI Selects the City’s Next Shared Scooter and Bike Operator; Negotiations with Veo to Begin   DENVER – Denver’s Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI) has selected Veo to be the city’s next shared scooter and bike operator, with the transition anticipated to occur in the spring of 2026 when the city’s license agreements with Bird and Lime expire.    The selection of Veo was made after a review of proposals submitted by micromobility companies this fall that were asked to address Denver’s key priorities including:   growing programs that expand access for low-income residents and people with disabilities strengthening outcomes around safety and parking supporting lasting mode-shift and maximizing public benefits   “Denver’s micromobility program is one of the most successful and popular in the nation,” said Amy Ford, Executive Director of DOTI. “Our goal is to build on that success with an emphasis on safety for riders and pedestrians, keeping sidewalks clear and organized, and expanding access to micromobility to serve more residents and support the sustainability of our city with convenient, attractive, and affordable transportation options.”   Veo was selected for its proposal that highlighted a:   Diverse fleet of attractive scooters and bikes with leading safety and accessibility features Veo’s in-house designed and manufactured fleet includes a seated e-scooter that appeals to riders of all ages and abilities, and a modular e-bike that is configurable with a rear cargo rack or a second seat for tandem riding. Veo will also pilot the industry’s first three-wheeled, self-balancing trike for riders with mobility impairments and those who need to carry large cargo loads. Commitment to affordability and a flexible equity program Veo will provide a range of pricing choices to ensure shared bikes and scooters remain truly affordable for riders of all income levels and riding habits, including a pricing plan that prioritizes Denver residents by offering a Resident Plan with significant discounts. Strong track record of safety and technology innovations Veo will educate users before, during, and after each ride through in-app messaging, online materials, on-vehicle decals, and in-person events, with a special focus on first-time users and those new to the city. Veo Voice is a unique feature that sends riders customized, multi-lingual spoken messages and warnings when they have entered specific zones or remind users of responsible riding behavior. Veo addresses unsafe riding through a sensor system designed to detect sudden movements, swerving, and sharp trajectory changes. Riders are alerted in real time and through post ride feedback and riders with repeat offenses are suspended. Veo is also integrating pressure sensors capable of detecting when more than one person boards a vehicle. Veo uses in-app Helmet Detection that gives riders a discount if they are wearing a helmet when they start their trip. Full compliance with recently passed legislation from Denver City Council 100% of Veo’s fleet will feature sidewalk detection technology and the industry’s first full deployment of radar to prevent collisions and injuries. Veo will use an AI Parking Coach technology that will analyze every trip end in Denver, providing real-time feedback to riders and corrective coaching whenever a rider fails to demonstrate compliant parking. If a user continues to park incorrectly, they will be fined. Veo requires riders to pass a quiz before their first ride, tailored to Denver's requirements. Riders will be required to retake the quiz periodically and Veo will provide ride credits for subsequent completion to incentivize safety education. Commitment to a 100% in-house workforce that offers full-time employment Veo has committed to hiring 100% in-house employees and field staff who will earn a living wage, creating over 100 stable jobs for residents. This model is shown to improve operational performance, enhance customer service, and increase accountability.   Negotiations with Veo on a three-year license agreement are likely to last several months. Final outcomes are subject to these negotiations and approval of the agreement by Denver City Council. DOTI will provide details on how people currently enrolled in Lime and Bird programs in Denver will transfer to Veo in 2026.   Denver’s Shared Bike and Scooter program has become a critical part of the city’s transportation system, expanding affordable and sustainable transportation options for Denver residents and visitors while reducing car trips. The program has delivered more than 26 million shared bike and scooter trips and reduced an estimated 13 million car trip since May 2021.   More info about Veo and the city’s micromobility program can be found in the attached FAQ.   ###