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A public resource guide
Free yard waste removal in Aurora, CO
Every free and paid way to get rid of yard waste in Aurora, verified October 2026.
Checked against City of Aurora
Home › By item › Yard waste › Aurora
A public resource guide
Every free and paid way to get rid of yard waste in Aurora, verified October 2026.
Checked against City of Aurora
0
city trash or bulky service; every home contracts a licensed hauler
Your hauler
schedules bulky pickups for a fee that varies by company
Cleanup events
city-organized neighborhood events a few times a year
Every route for yard waste in Aurora, checked in October 2026 against the city’s current rules and the drop-off sites named. The full Aurora guide covers every other item.
Here is how each route works in Aurora, starting with the city program and ending with paid pickup.
Aurora bulky item disposal: yard waste
Your hauler, for a feeMost haulers offer a yard waste subscription, and the city runs seasonal leaf and branch drop-off events; check auroragov.org/recycle.
Who qualifies: Aurora has no city trash collection. Every home, HOA, or building arranges service with one of the city's licensed private haulers, and bulky pickups are arranged with that hauler for a fee.
How to schedule: Call your hauler (Republic, Waste Connections, Waste Management, HBS, Mountain High, and others) to schedule a bulky pickup; fees vary. Self-haul to the Denver Arapahoe Disposal Site for a fee, or use the city's periodic neighborhood cleanup events. The 2021 free large-item pickup was a one-time program.
Limits: Set by your hauler. City cleanup events have their own rules and run a few times a year.
Set-out: Only on a date your hauler confirms; Aurora code requires trash to be contained and out of street view otherwise.
Freemoval (free pickups through partner organizations)
FreeFreemoval funds free junk removal and cleanouts for households referred by trusted partner organizations, such as nonprofits, housing programs, and senior services. Families don’t apply directly. A partner submits the request and vouches for the need.
Status in Aurora: Not yet available. Freemoval currently serves metro Atlanta and plans to expand nationwide.
How it works where it operates: One free pickup per household, covering yard waste, furniture, appliances, and bulk household items within standard LoadUp marketplace service. Funded by LoadUp customer round-ups and direct contributions, spent at standard LoadUp rates.
If you run a nonprofit or housing program in Aurora: you can start the conversation now through the For partners page.
Aurora, Colorado is the 51st-largest U.S. city and one of the few major cities where the city itself does not provide trash or recycling collection. Aurora requires all residences to have weekly trash service, but residents choose from the city’s licensed private haulers list. Aurora Water does run a citywide HHW pickup program through Waste Management’s At Your Door service: year-round curbside HHW pickup for $10 for Aurora residents (discounted from the $20 standard rate). Pedal Point LifeCycle Solutions partners with the city for electronics recycling events with rotating 2026 dates. Trash containers must be screened from street view per city code. This guide covers every disposal option for City of Aurora residents.
The Aurora rule for yard waste: Most haulers offer a yard waste subscription, and the city runs seasonal leaf and branch drop-off events; check auroragov.org/recycle.
Program basics: Set by your hauler. City cleanup events have their own rules and run a few times a year. Only on a date your hauler confirms; Aurora code requires trash to be contained and out of street view otherwise.
What the city will not take: Nothing is collected free citywide. Electronics are banned from Colorado landfills.
How we checked this. The rules on this page were verified in October 2026 against: City of Aurora: Trash and Recycling (private hauler system). Programs change; confirm fees and limits before you go.
Why yard waste are different from ordinary bulk. Bundling rules are where most yard waste gets skipped. Branches typically must be under 4 feet long and 4 to 6 inches in diameter, tied in bundles under 40 to 50 pounds, and limited to a number of bundles per week. Leaves go in paper bags or carts, not plastic, in most programs because the material is composted. Plastic bags of leaves are the most common curbside rejection.
Three mistakes that get yard waste left at the curb:
Paid options cover stumps, large tree removals, and heavy loads of sod and soil.
Stump grinding
$100 to $400 per stumpGrinding a stump in place to below grade is cheaper and easier than removing it. The grindings can be left as mulch or bagged as yard waste where the program allows wood chips.
Mark utilities first. Call 811 before grinding near service lines.
LoadUp paid yard waste pickup
$80+For Aurora households needing in-home pickup, items beyond your hauler’s bulk policy, or service when crew labor is needed (heavy items, multiple-piece sets), LoadUp connects you with independent loaders in the Denver metro for upfront-priced pickup.
What’s included: Loading, hauling, and licensed disposal of your yard waste. No prep needed beyond pointing out what goes.
Pricing: Starts around $80 for a single item; full-truck pickups range from $300 to $600 depending on volume.
If you can pay for a pickup, your booking helps fund free pickups for someone else. Every paid LoadUp customer can opt in to round up at checkout, and 100% of round-ups go directly to Freemoval’s subsidized jobs.
Book yard waste pickup in Aurora with LoadUp → Round-up option appears at checkout. Optional, opt-in only.
Rules change at city limits. If you are outside Aurora proper, start with the guide for your own city:
Related guides: the complete Aurora junk removal guide (every item type, city services, hazardous waste, and how to report dumping) and the national yard waste disposal guide with rules for all 117 cities we cover.
Other free removal guides for Aurora: mattress, couch, refrigerator, washer and dryer, furniture, tv and electronics, dresser, bed frame and box spring.
Does Aurora pick up yard waste for free?
Hauler yard waste service, or a city seasonal drop-off event.
How much does paid yard waste removal cost in Aurora?
Through the LoadUp marketplace, a single yard waste pickup in Aurora starts around $80 to $100 with upfront pricing, and full-truck loads run $300 to $600 depending on volume. For Aurora households needing in-home pickup, items beyond your hauler’s bulk policy, or service when crew labor is needed (heavy items, multiple-piece sets), LoadUp connects you with independent loaders in the Denver metro for upfront-priced pickup.
How do I put yard waste out for pickup?
Leaves and clippings in paper lawn bags or the green cart, not plastic. Branches cut to the length limit (usually 4 feet), under the diameter limit (usually 4 to 6 inches), tied in bundles under 40 to 50 pounds. Check your city’s weekly bundle limit and season in the directory below.
Why can’t I use plastic bags?
Because yard waste is composted or ground into mulch, and plastic contaminates the product. Most programs require paper bags or carts; a few accept plastic bags that crews empty and leave behind.
Which states ban yard waste from landfills?
More than 20 states ban some or all yard waste from landfills, including Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Arkansas, and Delaware among others. That is why curbside programs are so common.
What do I do with a tree stump?
Grind it in place ($100 to $400), dig it out and take it to a transfer station as inert material, or list it free for someone who wants firewood or a planter. Most curbside programs exclude stumps and root balls.
Is this Aurora page maintained?
Yes. Freemoval maintains this page as a public resource alongside the full Aurora guide. We update it when programs change rules, fees, or contact methods. Last updated October 2026. If you find outdated information, let us know.