Waste Hauler Licensing

1. Check our Current Licensed Hauler list above.  
2. If you don’t see them, call 3-1-1 (720-913-1311) 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.  

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

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.  

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.  

Starting in 2021, applicants must apply through our new self-service web portal. Follow the "How to Apply for a License Instructions". See under the “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 here.  

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

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.  

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

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 

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

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.  

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

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

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. 

Email DenverRecycles@denvergov.org with details on the error. Or, or call 311 or 720-913-1311 for help.  

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.  

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.