Editor's Note: This story was published in 2016 and some information may be outdated. Call ahead before dropping off branches at any of the locations listed below.
If you live in an area that was impacted by this weekend's storm, chances are, you may be dealing with some broken tree branches.
Damaged trees and branches in Denver
In the City of Denver, property owners are responsible for pruning and cleaning up debris from trees located on private property within the public right of way adjacent to their property.
The city says to remove snow from trees with caution. Make sure they are clear of utility poles. Then, use a broom to remove snow from larger trees or limbs. Don't try to climb trees or use ladders to reach higher limbs.
If you have damaged trees or broken branches, the City of Denver gives this list of licensed and insured tree care contractors: http://bit.ly/1qBWcGH.
If the city determines that immediate tree work is needed for safety reasons, a city contractor will perform the work and the cost of the work will be billed to the responsible property owner.
People who have questions should contact 311 or the Office of the City Forester for help at forestry@denver.gov.
Denver Public Works Solid Waste Management collects limited amounts of branches as part of its regular trash collection. Branches must be no larger that four inches in diameter, cut into lengths of four feet or less and weigh no more than 50 pounds. Branches need to be bundled and tied.
People who use Dumpsters may place up to five bundles of tied branches in a bin, or they may set up to ten bundles in the alley at their scheduled trash collection time.
Manual and cart customers may set out up to ten bundles of branches at their scheduled pick up time.
Residents can drop off branches at the Cherry Creek Recycling Drop-off center located near East Cherry Creek Drive South and South Quebec Street. Find more information here: http://bit.ly/1XEQPkT.
Damaged trees and branches in Jefferson County
The Jefferson County Board of Commissioners is opening two short-term drop-off sites for residents to bring tree limbs and debris that may have accumulated on their properties after the recent snow storms.
The collection locations and dates are:
- On April 30 and May 1 at the JeffCo Fairgrounds, located at 15200 West 6th Avenue in Golden, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- On May 7 and 8 at the Road and Bridge South Shop, located at 9509 West Ute Avenue in Littleton, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The sites are monitored and there is a $20 credit card only per load fee collected at the site.
Damaged tree limbs and branches no larger than six inches in diameter and no longer than eight feet will be accepted. They will not take trash, stumps, metal, construction material or lumber, rocks or yard waste.
Damaged trees and branches in Lakewood
The City of Lakewood has two options for clean-up for its residents. The city will re-open its tree limb drop off location. It will be open on April 29, April 30 and May 1 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 9556 W. Yale Ave. in Lakewood. There are no size restrictions for that drop-off.
The city is also holding its annual yard waste clean up event from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 7 and Saturday, May 14, outside the Jefferson County Public Schools building, located at 809 Quail St.
Residents can drop off everything from yard clippings, to leaves, to logs. That event does have restrictions for branches. They have to be smaller than 24 inches long and six inches in diameter. There's more information about that event here.
Damaged trees and branches in Boulder
The City of Boulder will conduct a curbside collection program for downed limbs starting April 25 and ending just before Memorial Day.
Only tree limbs will be collected. Other yard waste, like grass clippings or leaves should be placed in curbside compost collection containers, either against the curb or on the landscaping strip next to the street. There are no requirements for sizing or bundling materials aside from piling and placing material in the appropriate location.
Bike and pedestrian lanes must be kept clear and traffic flow should not be impeded.
Collection will be scheduled across Boulder by zone:
- April 25 to 29: Zone 1 - Center section of the city, including houses on the north side of Baseline Road to the south side of Mapleton Avenue.
- May 2 to 13: Zone 2 - North section of the city, including houses on the north side Mapleton Avenue to the north city limits, including residential streets with blue signs in Gunbarrel.
- May 16 to 27: Zone 3 - South section of the city, including houses on the south side of Baseline Road to the south city limits.
Find a map here: http://bit.ly/1T9G74k. Call 303-441-1856 for more information.
If you live in another part of the metro area, call your city government for more information.
Damaged trees and branches in Aurora
Aurora' s Park, Recreation and Open Space Division has opened a storm damage drop-off site. It opened Monday and will remain open until May 1. Its operating hours are from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m., at Lowry Park, which is at 1001 N. Dayton St.
Only storm damage and tree limbs will be accepted there, but there are no size restrictions. No other debris or trash will be allowed.
If residents have small twigs and sticks bundled up into a "collectable size," they can be left out with trash on trash pick-up day. The other option is to bring storm debris to the City of Aurora's dump.
Damaged trees and branches in Westminster
The City of Westminster has extended its drop-off hours for tree limbs following this weekend's big storm. Tree limbs can be dropped off starting April 20 through April 29 from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday - Friday, at 10001 Alkire St. Limbs can be any length, but must be less than 8 inches in diameter.
There's more information on the City of Westminster's website.
