Council approves modest increases to Arvada residential waste fees; opt-out fee held through 2028
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Summary
The City Council adopted a resolution updating the waste-hauling fee schedule and a third amendment to Republic Services’ contract, increasing most cart fees by 59¢–90¢ per month and keeping the minimum opt-out fee at $4.55 per month through July 1, 2028; the council voted 6–0.
The Arvada City Council voted unanimously June 17 to adopt an updated fee schedule for residential solid-waste services and to authorize a third amendment to the city’s contract with Allied Waste Transportation, doing business as Republic Services of Denver.
City staff said the changes are needed to align Arvada’s program with Republic Services’ costs and the National Water Sewer Trash Index. The resolution—R25-051—also extends the contract through July 1, 2028 and preserves the current minimum service opt-out fee of $4.55 per month through that date.
Miss Rhodes, a city staff presenter, told the council that the overall vendor-proposed adjustment equates to a 3.5% increase tied to the index. Under the adopted fee schedule, monthly cart service totals will be $9.34 for a 35‑gallon cart, $13.92 for a 65‑gallon cart, and $18.50 for a 95‑gallon cart. The city program fee for HOA residents who receive minimum services will increase by $0.19 to $1.69 per month; non‑HOA minimum-service customers will see a $0.19 increase for a total program fee of $6.24 per month because the Republic minimum remains $4.55.
The amendment also adds city-priced roll-off containers—one for yard waste and one for solid waste—available to Arvada residents who participate in the city’s waste-hauling program. City staff said the amendment includes language related to the state’s producer-responsibility recycling law (HB22-1135) and that the city intends to participate in the program and work with Republic Services to separate recycling costs from trash collection as needed.
Council member Ambrose asked Republic Services to clarify a “dry run” fee shown on the schedule. A Republic representative explained a dry-run fee is applied when a roll-off container is requested for pickup but the truck is unable to access the container (for example, a vehicle blocks the container), and the company documents the attempt with photographs.
Council member Marriott said he would support the measure because the opt-out fee did not increase; council members voted 6–0 in favor of the resolution.
The new fee schedule takes effect July 1, 2025, and the contract extension runs through July 1, 2028.
