Is it legal to put furniture on the curb for people to pick up in Denver?
It's not exactly uncommon to see things like chairs, tables, file cabinets and other furniture sitting on the side of the road, sometimes with a 'free' sign.
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But before you haul a piece of furniture to the curb in hopes that someone will come take it off your hands, be warned that you could be hit with a fine.
In the city and county of Denver, placing furniture or other large items on the curb is considered illegal dumping. Violations for illegal dumping or unlawful disposal of trash can come with a fine starting at $150 for the first citation, $500 for the second and $999 for the third and each following citation, according to the Denver Code of Ordinances.
Fines are higher for larger items. The penalty for illegal dumping or unlawful disposal of trash over 50 lbs., 32 gallons or two cubic feet starts at $500 for the first citation, jumps to $750 for the second and $999 for the third and each subsequent citation.
There are occasional days, however, when placing large items on the curb is allowed. Denver's Solid Waste Department has large item pickup days about once every nine weeks. On these days, residents can place large items on the curb to be picked up by waste management crews, including:
Furniture
Large toys
Non-electric bicycles
Rugs
Exercise equipment
Bundled branches (no more than 4 feet long and 4 inches in diameter)
Mattresses and box springs (must be bagged and wrapped)
Large item pickup days are the only time placing furniture on the curb is legal in Denver. By the end of those days, the items will be gone as crews will have come and picked them up.
The large item pickup days do not include service for electronic waste, construction materials, automotive materials, loose trash, hazardous materials, commercial and industrial waste or appliances.
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Residents can schedule pickup anytime for appliances like refrigerators and washing machines. The city also has programs for household hazardous waste, paint recycling, appliances, and electronic waste.
For those looking to get rid of large items outside of their large item pickup day, the Department of Solid Waste recommends donating items to local thrift stores, selling on online marketplaces, taking items to the landfill or finding a private disposal company.
Denverites can put their address into a tool on the city's website to find out when their regular trash services are scheduled and when large item pickup days are scheduled. This information can also be found in the Denver Trash and Recycling App.
The city of Denver recommends reporting concerns regarding trash or illegal dumping by calling 311.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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