Regional Compliance Hub: Electronics & Paint (Tue–Sat) / Recycling (Daily) — Fort Collins, CO

This regional hub keeps residents compliant by directing “hard-to-recycle” items to the correct, approved facility. Unlike many cities where residents must drive to a county landfill for everything, Fort Collins has a dedicated in-town facility that handles most “banned” items: the Timberline Recycling Center. [1][2]

Electronics (Banned): Colorado prohibits disposal of computers and electronic equipment in landfills. Do not hide a laptop in the trash—use a recycling program and expect small item fees. [3][4]

Timberline Recycling Center = Two Yards (Two Different Schedules)

The “One-Stop” Solution: Timberline is split into two sections: (1) the Everyday Recyclables Yard (Free) and (2) the Hard-to-Recycle Materials Yard (Tue–Sat). Each has different hours and rules—use the correct entrance so you don’t end up in the wrong line. [1][2]

  • Facility: Timberline Recycling Center[1]
  • Address: 1903 S. Timberline Rd., Fort Collins, CO 80525[1]
  • Everyday Recyclables Yard (FREE): Open 7 days/week for common recyclables (e.g., cardboard, glass bottles & jars, cans, and plastic bottles).[1][5]
  • Everyday Yard Hours: Apr–Oct: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM  |  Nov–Mar: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM[1]
  • Hard-to-Recycle Materials Yard (Tue–Sat): Accepts electronics, paint, batteries, motor oil, and other fee-based materials.[1][2]
  • Hard-to-Recycle Yard Hours: Tue–Sat  |  Apr–Oct: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM  |  Nov–Mar: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM (Closed Sun/Mon).[1]

Paint Recycling (Insider Tip): Entry Fee Waived for Paint-Only (PaintCare) or Cardboard-Only

The Hard-to-Recycle yard typically has a $5 entry fee for many materials. Insider Tip: The City’s A–Z guidance states that no entry fee is required when only dropping off paint or cardboard. (Paint is handled through the PaintCare program rules; limits may apply.) [6][7]

Note: Electronics still have item fees. Timberline publishes a detailed electronics fee list (examples below). [1]

  • Hard-to-Recycle Entry Fee: $5 for many fee-based materials (unless paint-only or cardboard-only drop-off).[1][6]
  • Electronics Fee Example: Flat Screen Monitors / Flat Screen Televisions: $15 (in addition to any entry fee when applicable).[1]
  • Electronics Fee Example: Console Televisions: $50 (in addition to any entry fee when applicable).[1]

Batteries: Drop Off Here — Never in Trash or Recycling

Batteries: Household batteries can be dropped off at Timberline’s Hard-to-Recycle yard per the City’s accepted-materials guidance. Never put batteries in apartment trash or recycling—batteries can cause fires in collection trucks and facilities. [1][4]

Crucial Warnings: Chemicals (Pesticides/Solvents) & The Fort Collins Recycling Ordinance

Hazardous Waste (Pesticides / Herbicides / Heavy Solvents): Timberline’s hard-to-recycle system is excellent for paint and oil, but true toxic chemicals (pesticides, herbicides, strong solvents, etc.) generally belong at the County Household Hazardous Waste facility. Larimer County operates a free household hazardous waste drop-off program for Larimer County residents at the landfill site. [8][9]

The “Ordinance” Protection (Multi-Family Recycling Required): Fort Collins requires recycling service for multi-family and commercial customers with a minimum recycling service threshold of one-third (33%) of the overall waste service. If your apartment complex does not provide recycling bins, they may be out of compliance. [10][11]

Action: You can report concerns through the City’s request system, or use the City’s environmental compliance contact referenced in ordinance administration materials. [12][10]

Larimer County Household Hazardous Waste Facility (Chemicals That Timberline Won’t Take)

For pesticides, herbicides, strong solvents, and other toxic household chemicals, use the County facility: Larimer County Household Hazardous Waste (HHW). It is free for Larimer County residents (bring proof of residency if requested). [8]

  • Facility: Larimer County Household Hazardous Waste Facility[8]
  • Address: 5887 S. Taft Hill Road, Fort Collins, CO 80526[8]
  • Hours: Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri & Sat — 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM (Closed Wednesdays).[8]
  • Cost: Free for Larimer County residents (residential program).[9]

EEAT Sources: [1] City of Fort Collins: Timberline Recycling Center (two yards, hours, electronics fee list, “illegal to throw electronics in trash”)  |  [2] City of Fort Collins: Timberline Recycling Center FAQs (two sections, closures/holidays)  |  [3] Colorado CDPHE: Residential electronics & computer waste (prohibited from landfill disposal)  |  [4] Colorado CDPHE: Electronics and computer waste (landfill ban; battery fire risk references)  |  [5] City of Fort Collins A–Z: Glass bottles & jars accepted  |  [6] City of Fort Collins A–Z: Paint guidance (Timberline / HHW; rules vary by paint type)  |  [7] City of Fort Collins A–Z: Entry fee waived when only dropping off paint or cardboard  |  [8] Larimer County: Household Hazardous Waste (address, hours; closed Wednesday)  |  [9] Larimer County: HHW program overview (free for residents; Drop N’ Swap)  |  [10] City of Fort Collins: Community Recycling Ordinance variance instructions (33% minimum recycling service; environmental compliance contact reference)  |  [11] City of Fort Collins Ordinance PDF (one-third recycling service requirement language)  |  [12] City of Fort Collins: Code Compliance (how to report a code issue)

 
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In Fort Collins, recycling service is mandatory for multifamily and commercial customers via the City’s code — including a minimum recycling volume of one-third (⅓) of total service volume. The County’s hauler licensing ordinance requires licensed haulers to make curbside recycling available within the Fort Collins Urban Growth Area.

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  • Compliance Simplified: Program design that matches City §15-413 and County hauler rules.
  • Local Alignment: Code-backed service levels, signage, and documentation.

At a Glance: City of Fort Collins vs Larimer County (Unincorporated)

City of Fort Collins

  • Mandate Type: Mandatory Recycling (collector must provide; customer must receive service).
  • Applicability Threshold: All multifamily properties (no unit minimum) — minimum recycling volume = ⅓ of total service (trash + recycling).
  • Key Code: Fort Collins Code §15-413 (Recycling requirement; multi-family & commercial: (b)(1)–(3); minimum ⅓ volume: (b)(2)).
  • Enforcement & Variances: Variance allowed for good cause (space, self-haul, separate licensed recycler, safety) — §15-413(b)(3).
  • City Links (source text PDFs): Ordinance 027, 2023 (amends §15-413) · Ordinance 148, 2019 (amends §15-413) · Ordinance 109, 2016

Larimer County (Unincorporated)

  • Mandate Type: Hauler Licensing + Required Offer of Recycling within Urban Growth Areas (generator-side mandate not explicit).
  • Applicability Threshold: Licensed haulers must make curbside recycling available in the Fort Collins & Loveland Urban Growth Areas.
  • Key Ordinance: Larimer County Ordinance 1991-1 (Licensing of Commercial Waste Haulers), Section 4(b) (required offer of recycling).
  • County Links: Hauler Licensing Ordinance (PDF) · Hauler Licensing Program

Fines & Penalties Snapshot (Fort Collins)

  • Violations & Penalties (§12-27): Certain recycling violations (e.g., cardboard requirements) are civil infractions penalized under §1-15(f); other violations in Chapter 12 may be misdemeanors penalized under §1-15. See §12-27 text
  • Civil Infractions (City Code §1-15(f)): Up to $3,000 civil penalty (inflation-adjusted annually). Ordinance 137, 2023 (sets §1-15(f))
  • Misdemeanors (City Code §1-15(a)): Up to $2,750 and/or up to 180 days in jail (maximums noted by City). Neighborhood Services — Code Compliance

Tip: Keep the minimum ⅓ recycling capacity and required records in place to avoid notices and escalating penalties.

Property Manager Compliance Checklist (City & County)

Task Action / Requirement Code-Backed Resources
☑ Subscribe to Required Services City of Fort Collins: recycling included for multifamily; maintain ≥ ⅓ recycling volume. County UGA: ensure hauler offers curbside recycling. Fort Collins §15-413 · Larimer Ord. 1991-1 §4(b)
☑ Minimum Recycling Capacity Size recycling so it equals at least 33% of total service volume (trash + recycling) for multifamily accounts. §15-413(b)(2)
☑ Variance (if constrained) If space/safety issues or separate licensed recycler: apply for City variance. §15-413(b)(3)
☑ Containers, Vehicles & Prep Keep recycling separate from trash; use clearly marked recycling trucks; provide containers upon request within one billing period. §15-413(c)(1)–(3)

Need a fast compliance check? Request a Free Compliance Audit for your Fort Collins property — we’ll right-size your containers, draft resident education, and prepare inspection-ready documentation.

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