Arvada council approves solid-waste code changes, opens review of single-hauler program

The Arvada City Council on March 4 approved an ordinance amending several sections of Chapter 90 (Solid Waste) of the Arvada City Code to give the council greater discretion over how the city's minimum service, or "opt-out," fee is applied and to clarify fee types and licensed hauler requirements. The ordinance, CB25-005 (Ordinance No. 4891), passed 7-0.

Council members said the change responds to questions about how fee increases are allocated among program participants, opt-out households and the citywide program that funds bulky-item and yard-waste events. "What we were attempting to do with this ordinance modification is adjust some of the language ... to add language that gives the city council a bit more discretion in the allocation of the minimum service fee," said Jessica Morales, the city attorney, during the public hearing on the ordinance.

The council followed the vote with an extended staff-led workshop on the single-hauler contract with Republic Services, program participation and possible next steps. Staff and Republic Services representatives outlined the contract timeline and current fee structure: the hauler portion of the negotiated opt-out fee is $4.55 per month; the city program fee that funds bulky-item events and yard-waste drop-offs is currently $1.50 per month; and the combined current charge shown to residents was described in workshops as $6.05 per month for households that opt out of cart service.

Staff said the Republic Services contract began in July 2021 and runs through July 2026, with two consecutive one-year renewal options that could extend the contract to July 2028. Under the current contract terms, annual contract increases for the hauler portion are limited to a 3.5% ceiling; staff noted the Bureau of Labor Statistics' 12-month running index for water, sewer and trash was 4.89% as of January 2025.

The workshop reviewed program participation and clarifications staff has made in presentations. Staff reported 18,248 enrolled cart services (a count Republic uses, described as per-cart) and 16,474 households for which the city assesses enterprise and cart-replacement charges; 8,224 accounts were identified as paying the minimum-service opt-out fee. Staff described the distinctions among the city program fee (bulky-item and yard-waste events and program administration), enterprise charges (cart purchase financing) and the contractual minimum-service fee.

Council and staff also discussed composting options and costs. Staff said a subscription organics curbside program would require a minimum take rate (presented as roughly 3,000 subscribers) and an estimated price in the range of $16 to $19 per month per home. By contrast, a mandatory citywide organics program under the current single-hauler model would require participation from all 18,248 customers and was estimated in staff materials at roughly $6 to $9 per month. Staff added that implementing an organics collection with Republic would likely require a new five-year contract extension, approval of funds for staffing and carts, and that realistic start dates would be January 2026 at the earliest but more likely July 1, 2026.

Several council members pressed staff about fairness for customers who opt out and about the city's role in preventing double-charging for recycling once Colorado's producer responsibility program begins in 2026. Mayor Pro Tem Moorman and others asked staff to ensure contract and billing structures can segregate recycling costs so the city can capture state program reimbursements and avoid charging residents twice for recycling.

Council members expressed differing views on whether to pursue contract renewals or rebid the single-hauler contract when it nears expiration. Some members said keeping the existing contract and its price cap provided stability and reduced truck traffic; others said rebidding could identify lower rates or give an opportunity to add services such as organics collection.

Staff outlined next steps and a schedule of follow-up workshops: a supplementary information packet on April 22, a presentation of the waste diversion action plan when available (expected April'May), and a May workshop with updated fee scenarios ahead of a June 3 resolution. Councilmembers asked staff to include comparative rates from nearby cities and more detail on how program revenue is distributed among services.

Votes at a glance (key actions recorded during the March 4 meeting): - Consent items R25-020 through R25-023 (contracts and donation acceptances) approved 7-0. - R25-024, an IGA with Jefferson Center Metropolitan District No. 1 to finance the Zephyr Zone 5 tank, approved 7-0. - R25-025, an IGA with Adams County for the North Trunk Sewer Improvement Project (NT10), approved 7-0. - CB25-053 (annexing a section of 60th Avenue right-of-way) approved on first reading and set for public hearing 3/18/2025, 7-0. - CB25-005 (ordinance amending Chapter 90 Solid Waste; Ordinance No. 4891) approved on final reading, 7-0.

The council instructed staff to return with comparative municipal rates, more detailed fee scenarios and cost breakdowns for potential organics programs and to analyze how the state's producer responsibility program might affect municipal recycling charges.