Denver proposes $2.5 million increase to compost contract, food-soiled paper expansion

Denver is proposing to add $2.5 million to its compost-processing contract with Waste Management Disposal Services of Colorado Inc., extend the agreement through Jan. 31, 2029, and add food-soiled paper to the city’s residential compost program.

The proposed amendment would raise the contract ceiling from $6 million to $8.5 million and extend the current term by two years, according to the Denver Department of Transportation and Infrastructure’s contract request, dated Aug. 27, 2026.

The contract covers compost processing for Denver’s residential and municipal program, including single-family homes, multifamily buildings with up to seven units and municipal buildings. More than 80,000 customers were participating when the request was prepared.

The amendment would add food-soiled paper — including paper towels, napkins, greasy pizza boxes, coffee filters, tea bags, paper bags, uncoated paper products, newspaper and paper egg cartons — to the accepted materials. The program also accepts food scraps, yard debris, compostable bags certified by the Compost Manufacturers Alliance and paper yard-waste bags.

The city’s request says the additional funding would support the expanded processing arrangement. Waste Management would process the material at its permitted composting facility at the DADS Landfill, 3500 S. Gun Club Road in Aurora. The finished compost is intended for lawns, gardens and landscapes. Denver’s Volume Based Pricing funds, which support the city’s waste-diversion program, would pay for the amendment.

The proposal has not yet been approved. Denver’s Legistar meeting record lists Council file 26-1338 for consideration by the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on Sept. 16. The available records do not set a start date for accepting food-soiled paper.