CPD Blog: URCO starts Sept. 1, what you need to know

CPD Blog: URCO starts Sept. 1, what you need to know

Published on August 17, 2026

In 2022, 70 percent of Denver voters approved the Waste No More ballot initiative, a community-led effort to expand recycling and diversion from landfills. The initiative was updated as the Universal Recycling and Composting Ordinance (URCO) with new timelines and better guidance about how to put the rules into place.

The new ordinance will go into effect starting Sept. 1, 2026, which means building construction and demolition projects will be required to divert debris from a project for recycling or reuse.

What projects does this apply to?

URCO applies to most building construction and demolition projects, including new construction, additions or demolition projects larger than 500 square feet and interior remodels larger than 2,500 square feet.

What's required?

Starting Sept. 1, new applications for many building residential and commercial construction and demolition permits must:

• Submit a Waste Diversion Plan and pay a fully refundable performance security deposit before a permit is issued.
• Divert at least 50 percent of debris by weight from three covered materials through recycling or reuse. *
• Document compliance when the project is done.

*The City recognizes meeting the diversion requirements may not be possible for all projects. Therefore, applicants may request modified diversion requirements due to site-specific conditions and reductions in the performance security deposit due to economic hardship.

Next steps

If you are a contractor who works on residential or commercial building construction or demolition projects in Denver, you may already be aware of some of the upcoming requirements. If you aren't, here is information to familiarize yourself with the requirements:

• Read the Universal Composting & Recycling Ordinance
• Review the adopted Rules & Regulations and your current waste management practices
• Talk to your haulers about recycling and reuse options
• Check out the construction and demolition URCO requirements webpage for updates, resources, and guidance as the September 1st compliance date approaches.
• Email the URCO construction and demolition team with questions.

CPD is committed to helping applicants and permit holders understand these requirements so that all projects can be successful in diverting waste from landfills and receive the full security deposit refund at the completion of a project. As such, we'll be making additional guidance document resources available as the September 1st effective date approaches

• Community Planning & Development
• News
• Press release