Governor Jared Polis and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) are marking Colorado Recycles Week, which runs from November 11 to 15. The initiative aims to encourage residents to participate in efforts to reduce waste, reuse materials, and recycle.
“As we continue our work to provide free and accessible recycling to more Coloradans, I am thrilled to celebrate Colorado Recycles Week,” said Governor Polis. “Recycling is more than just reducing waste — it is a way to boost our economy and protect the natural spaces we love. Together we can reduce, reuse, and recycle to lead our beautiful state to a cleaner and more sustainable future.”
Jill Hunsaker Ryan, executive director of CDPHE, added: “Colorado Recycles Week is a reminder that we all play a part in protecting our environment and creating a greener, more sustainable Colorado for all. We are excited about the work that we’ve done with our partners to implement sustainable, long-term solutions that meet the unique needs of each community in Colorado.”
The department continues its efforts by preparing for broader recycling access through several programs. The Producer Responsibility Program for statewide recycling implementation remains on track for launch in 2026. Once approved, this program will establish a cost-effective system offering free recycling services across Colorado. Officials expect it could raise recycling rates for paper and packaging from 25% up to 58% by 2035 while expanding curbside service at no additional cost.
Another ongoing initiative is the Paint Stewardship Program operated by PaintCare under CDPHE oversight. Since its inception in 2015, PaintCare has collected over 7.7 million gallons of unused paint via more than 200 drop-off sites statewide.
To address organic waste diversion, CDPHE introduced the Organics Infrastructure Toolkit as part of its Organics Diversion Study published in 2024. Updated compost regulations earlier this year have led to an increase in small-scale compost operations; the number has doubled from 22 registered facilities before the regulatory change to 44 as of October.
Recognition was also given recently through CDPHE’s Colorado Green Business Network (CGBN), which awarded Arapahoe Basin Ski Area with its top sustainability honor for diverting over 185,000 pounds of waste from landfills via comprehensive recycling initiatives. Across the state, nearly two hundred certified green businesses collectively diverted over twenty-one thousand tons of waste—an amount similar to what around nineteen thousand average Coloradans produce annually.
Efforts toward advancing circular economic practices have also progressed with the establishment of the Colorado Circular Communities Enterprise by legislation passed last year (HB24-1449). In 2025 alone, this enterprise awarded about $24 million through twenty-six grants aimed at supporting communities’ transitions toward sustainable economies. Technical support was provided through programs like Strategic Technical Expertise for the Public Sector (STEPS), assisting local governments—including towns such as Granby and Windsor as well as school districts—in developing customized long-term solutions.
Additionally, funding supports initiatives like Colorado’s Circular Economy Development Center focused on building new markets within the state and attracting entrepreneurs committed to sustainability.
More information on these programs can be found through resources offered by CDPHE online.
