Friday, December 29, 2023

Christmas Tree Recycling 2024 by Vicky Spelman


Many municipalities across Colorado have free tree recycling or composting programs for holiday pines that have served their festive purpose.

What happens to the trees? In most cases, the trees are chipped and made into a mulch which is usually made available free to city or county residents. 

Trees must be stripped of all ornaments, hardware, strings of lights and tinsel.

Here are five in Jefferson County that have Christmas tree recycling programs.  

Arvada:
December 26 - through mid-January 
No restricted days or times
Lake Arbor Lake park - 6400 Pomona Drive
Stenger Fields - at West 58th Avenue and Oak Street
The mulch will be available free of charge at all drop-site locations.
For more information, contact Parks Department at 720-898-7410

Evergreen:
Recycle your holiday tree and block Styrofoam
- Jan 6, 2024, 1-4pm at vacant lot (old McDonalds) across from King Soopers, 1246 Bergen Parkway, Evergreen
- Jan 6,2024 9am-3pm at vacant lot (1246 Bergen Parkway) and Evergreen Lutheran Church (5980 Hwy 73)
- Jan 13, 2024, 9am-3pm at vacant lot (1246 Bergen Parkway) and Evergreen Lutheran Church (5980 Hwy 73)
Trees are mulched by LamTreeServices for community use.
Phone: (720) 536-0069  
Email: info@sustainevergreen.org

Golden: 
Christmas Tree recycling is provided by the City of Golden Forestry Division. 
December 27 – January 27
West of the intersection at Highway 93 & Golden Gate Canyon Road. Please place your tree near the sign posted for tree recycling. The trees will be turned into mulch, which will eventually be available for free at the public pickup site on 11th Street, just west of the Clear Creek History Park. 
For further details, contact the City of Golden Forestry office at 303-384-8141.

Lakewood:
Tree recycling is free for Lakewood residents.  Mulch is available on request.
December 26 – January 7
Hours: 7am – 3pm
Lakewood's Greenhouse - between Estes and old Kipling streets, 9556 W. Yale Ave.
For more information, please call 720-963-5240.

Wheat Ridge:  
Dec. 27th through the end of January for Wheat Ridge Residents. 
Hours: 7:00am - 6:00pm 
Tree drop off locations 
 * East Parking Lot of Anderson Park - 4355 Field St.
 * East Parking Lot of Panorama Park by the Ballfields - W 33rd Ave & Fenton St.
Trees are chipped into mulch that is recycled for use in planter beds and around trees in City parks.  The Program is open to City of Wheat Ridge Residents only. No trailers or dump trucks. Drop off only during park hours.

For additional cities and counties in Colorado:




Courtesy:
 KINGA KRZEMINSKA//GETTY IMAGES

To recycle your old Christmas and Holiday Lights:

Lakewood wants you to recycle your old, broken or unwanted holiday lights by dropping them off at the 1068 Quail St. Recycling Center.  Collection will be available through Sunday, January 21st between 7am and 5pm.  

Hardware stores: Retailers like The Home Depot, Lowe's, Ace Hardware and True Value will accept your Christmas lights for recycling.  Check with your local hardware store for specifics, including drop-off locations.