How To Recycle Your Christmas Tree In Western Colorado

Some residents of Colorado love to keep their Christmas tree up until after the New Year, while others take it down on December 26th. As soon as the lights come down and the decorations are put away, the living room can feel a little empty. You may be staring at your Christmas tree, wondering, “What now?”

That pine or fir tree doesn’t need a lift to the landfill. Western Colorado communities are committed to eco-friendly ways to recycle real Christmas trees in Grand Junction, Fruita, Delta, and Montrose, offering options for compost, mulch, and even animal feed at no extra cost.

Grand Junction & Fruita Recycling Options

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To recycle your “real” Christmas tree in Grand Junction, simply remove the lights, tinsel, ornaments, and the tree stand, then bring it down to the Mesa County Organic Materials Composting Facility at 3071 U.S. Highway 50, Grand Junction, CO 81503. They will accept trees from Wednesday to Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., until the end of January. You can call with questions at 970-263-9319.

In Fruita, the city’s Solid Waste & Recycling program, run by Waste Management, says its 96-gallon carts can handle yard trimmings as well as a Christmas tree. You can contact the City of Fruita at 325 E Aspen Ave, Fruita, CO 81521, or call 970-858-3663 for service info.

Delta & Delta County Options

In Delta, Colorado, and in Delta County, Christmas trees should go to the Delta Solid Waste Management Authority (DSWMA) at the Delta County landfill. They will accept Christmas trees until late January, with drop-off hours on Monday to Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon. Trees must be free of all decorations. Residents can call 906-786-9056 or email dswma1@hughes.net to schedule curbside pickup or confirm hours.

Montrose & Montrose County Options

In Montrose, the city offers a Christmas tree pickup program that begins just after the New Year. In January, residents can place their Christmas tree behind the curb in front of their home (no artificial trees, flocked trees, ornaments, or tinsel) and call 970-240-1480 to schedule a pickup. By mid-January, crews do a city-wide sweep for trees, with organic trees to be mulched and donated locally.

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