Should Denverites Be Paying For Trash Pickup?
Denver is sooooo bad at recycling and composting. In fact, our diversion rate — the amount of waste we divert from landfills to recycling and composting — is a paltry 26%. So how did Denver get so far behind when it comes to trash? And what are we doing to catch up? Councilman Jolon Clark has been pushing for one surprising, seemingly counter-intuitive measure since he was elected to City Council in 2015, and it looks like he might finally have the support to make it happen this year. So Bree sat down with Councilman Clark to hear why he wants Denverites to start paying for our trash.
Councilman Clark mentioned an initiative that’s going to be on Denver’s ballot this fall to require all businesses, including apartment buildings, offer recycling and composting bins. Here’s a link to learn more about the Waste No More initiative.
The City of Denver’s Office of Climate Action, Sustainability, and Resiliency recently adopted Clark’s new pay-for-trash proposal and incorporated it into their broader plan to increase our diversion rate to 50% by 2027.
After complaints from the neighbors, Number 38 is no longer allowed to host super loud concerts in RiNo. Peyton’s got the whole story and all the news you need to know to start your week right here in our daily newsletter: https://denver.citycast.fm/newsletter/
Hang out with us on Twitter @citycastdenver]
Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise
Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Stay connected to City Cast Denver and get ready to join the local conversation.
Latest Episodes
Backlash Mounts Against Gov. Polis Over Tina Peters. Plus, Denver Halts Data Centers
Governor Jared Polis’ controversial decision to commute former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters’ prison sentence last week is still reverber...

What’s Tipping the Scale on Colorado’s Population?
After decades of super-charged economic and population growth, Colorado is at a turning point. So, is this state growing or shrinking? An...

Is Mayor Mike Coming for Mutual Aid Mondays? Plus, the Unhoused Woman Dividing Wash Park
Mayor Johnston promised to solve unsheltered homelessness in his first term – nearly three years into it, there are still questions about...

'Your City Could Be Better': Do DC’s Hated Traffic Cameras Really Make the City Safer? — Presented By City Cast Denver
Would Denver be safer if there were more automated traffic cameras? In 2025, Washington, DC, brought in nearly $270 million from more tha...

Was DIA Negligent in Plane Collision? Plus, the Oatmeal Creme Pie Bandit and Are You a Real Denverite?
It’s been exactly one week since a man named Michael Mott jumped over the 8-foot security fence around Denver International Airport and d...

Is Good Food Enough for a Denver Restaurant to Thrive?
Between Michelin stars and James Beard Awards, it’s safe to say that Denver has secured its place in the food world. But, a lot more goes...

Is Denver Constantly Watching You? Plus, Unvaxxed Singles and Bike Riders: Make Your Voices Heard!
Flock cameras have been dominating Denver’s recent conversations about surveillance technology, but since 2008 the city has been watching...

AI Talks End in ‘Near-Total Rewrite,’ Trump vs. Denver’s Assault Weapons Ban, and New Scooter Problems
The 2026 Colorado legislative session is in its final week, so we’re looking into the hot-button issue of AI, which continues to divide D...

After the Bandstand Fire, the Key to City Park’s Future Lies in the Past
After City Park’s iconic bandstand was damaged beyond repair in an overnight fire in late March, the park’s neighbors and city leaders ha...

'Your City Could Be Better': Philly's Bold Nightlife Experiment — Presented By City Cast Denver
Denverites, would your city be better if the bars stayed open later? This summer, Philadelphia is anticipating a record-breaking number o...

