Waste Hauler Licensing

All solid waste haulers who collect and haul waste in the City & County of Denver must have a license. Solid Waste includes recyclables, organics, junk, construction & demolition, and other bulky materials.

The program creates a fair operating environment for all solid waste haulers:

  1. It requires that haulers meet the same baseline collection safety requirements.
  2. It also provides basic solid waste tonnage data for the commercial sector in Denver.

New Haulers may apply at any time during their first year and will expire on January 31st. 

Renewing Haulers must apply each calendar year between January 1st and January 31st.

Hauling without a license or an expired license can result in penalties and fines up to $999.

Read D.R.M.C Sec 48-61 here.

   

Expectations of Wastehaulers

  • Report tonnage quarterly. (Starting in 2021) Haulers must report tonnage hauled quarterly for 2021. Haulers can report tonnage any time during the year. Yet tonnage reports must complete before renewing next year’s license.
  • Become licensed. Stay Licensed. Haulers need to keep a copy of their license and must present it upon request in the following locations:
    1. In each vehicle hauling within the City & County of Denver.
    2. At the address listed on their application.  
    Companies must renew their waste hauler license between January 1st and January 31st each year. 
  • Keep solid waste receipts. Haulers must keep and log receipts from all disposal sites and facilities for one year.  
  • Sign vehicles and containers. All containers and vehicles must display company name and phone number. Signage letters must be at least 3 inches tall. 
    1. Labeling on vehicles: must be on the left and right door 
    2. Labeling on containers: must be on the street-facing or alley-facing side.

Denver Hauler License Application

The information required below: 

  1. Quarterly Tonnage Data (new as of 2021). Hauler must report total quarterly waste tonnage collected. Info required includes: sector, material type, facility used, and unit of weight.  
  2. Company contact information. Provide your company’s primary contact information and type of ownership.  
  3. Safety information. Verify your U.S. Department of Transportation information  
  4. Operations & Data. Provide vehicle description information, types of services provided, collection methods.  
  5. True and Accurate Information. You acknowledge your company and vehicles are following local, state, and federal requirements. Including, insurance coverage minimums and vehicle licensing.  
  6. Other Documents:  
    • Certificate of Insurance. See example on the right-hand side of the webpage under “Helpful Documents.”
    • For new applicants only: copy of a state ID and signed copy of Statement of lawful presence.  

Frequently Asked Questions

I want to contract with a hauler in town, how do I know if they are licensed?

  1. Check our Current Licensed Hauler list above.  
  2. If you don’t see them, call 3-1-1 (720-913-1311) or email HaulerLicense@denvergov.org to confirm. (New haulers may not have made the list yet).  
  3. If they are not licensed, encourage your hauler to become licensed. Direct them to our website and/or use a hauler who is in compliance with the ordinance.  

 

Why does the city need a Waste Hauler License Program?

  1. To ensure safe conditions on City streets and in City neighborhoods 
  2. To collect data on waste tonnage generated & diverted by haulers within the City of Denver

What does the Waste Hauler License Program do?

The program creates a fair operating environment for all solid waste haulers.  

  1. It requires that haulers meet the same baseline collection safety requirements.  
  2. It also provides basic solid waste tonnage data for the commercial sector in Denver.  

 

Who does the waste hauler license apply to?

All solid waste haulers who collect and haul waste in the City & County of Denver must have a license. "Solid waste" includes recyclables, organics, junk, construction & demolition, and other bulky materials.  

How do I apply?

Starting in 2021, applicants must apply through our self-service web portal that can be found under the “Apply Now” section. Follow the “How to Apply for License Instructions”. See under “Helpful Documents” section on the right-hand side of the screen.

  1. First create a tonnage report if you haven’t already.
  2. Report tonnage.
  3. Apply or renew your application. 

Can I collect and haul solid waste without a license?

No. To haul within the City & County of Denver, you must have a hauler license. 

What are the reporting requirements?

For any license after 2021, haulers must report annual tonnage data by quarter. If a hauler does not report by quarter, they will not be able to renew their license.  

See "Helpful Documents" for the “Hauler Tonnage Tracking Tool." This is an optional tool that can help you keep track of your Denver waste tonnage.  

How often do haulers need to renew their license?

Solid waste haulers will need to renew their license each calendar year. Window to renew: January 1st - January 31st.  

What is the fee for a waste hauler license?

Application fee is $25, plus a motor vehicle fee, based on the number of vehicles that hauler within Denver.  

  • 1 - 2 vehicles - $100 
  • 3 - 9 vehicles - $300 
  • 10 - 20 vehicles - $600 
  • 21 and more vehicles - $1,200 

What methods of payment does the Department of Excise and Licenses accept?

Applicants buy licenses using a credit card, on the self-service portal.  

Who enforces this ordinance?

The Department of Excise and Licenses can issue fines, suspensions, or hearings. A license can be revoked from a hauler if a hauler:  

  1. Does not follow the ordinance.  
  2. Violates any other local or state law.  

Can a license be suspended or revoked?

Yes, only after an investigation and hearing. The Director of Excise and Licenses then may suspend, revoke, or fine any licensee for a violation.  

How will I receive my license?

After we approve your license, it will be emailed via the Department of Excise and Licenses. 

I collect waste outside of the City and County of Denver limits, but I drive through Denver. Do I need a license?

Per Sec 48-61 Article V, you do not need a license. Licensing is for haulers that collect solid waste within the City and County of Denver. 

I made a mistake on my tonnage report, how do I fix it?

Email HaulerLicense@denvergov.org with details on the error. Or call 311 (720-913-1311) for help.  

My company uses a third-party hauler carrier. Do they need a license?

Yes. They must get licensed if, they use motorized vehicles to haul solid waste from Denver. In this case, report tonnage data only once to prevent double counting.  

I registered more vehicles after I licensed for the year. Do I need to add these vehicles to my license?

No. That said, do the following: 

  1. Have a copy of the license in the vehicle. Make note on the license, that the vehicle was registered post-license.  
  2. Register the vehicle the next calendar year.  

 

 

Apply Now!

Helpful documents:

Hauler Tonnage Tracking Tool(XLSX, 30KB)

How to Apply for a License Instructions(PDF, 2MB)

Example Certificate of Insurance(PDF, 221KB)

More Information:

WE ARE HERE TO HELP!

For any questions during your application and reporting processes, please contact 311 (720-913-1311). 


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