The City of Golden is committed to advancing waste reduction and diversion through programs and policies that improve access to sustainable waste management services. Over the past several years, the City has implemented and expanded programs to support these goals, including: Residential Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) Program: A City-managed residential waste collection program that provides trash, recycling, and organics collection to approximately 4,800 households. The program encourages waste reduction through volume-based trash pricing and provides residents with convenient access to recycling and composting. Appliance and Mattress Recycling Program: A City collection program that provides residents with free curbside recycling of full-sized appliances, mattresses, and box springs, helping divert bulky materials from disposal. Universal Recycling Ordinance (URO) Development: Over the past few years, the City has explored a potential ordinance to expand recycling access among businesses and multifamily properties not served by the PAYT program. The City has coordinated its policy development with Colorado's Producer Responsibility Program, seeking to align future recycling requirements with available funding, incentives, and infrastructure to minimize additional burdens on affected properties. The ordinance remains under development, with adopted anticipated in 2027. Building on these efforts, the City is exploring the development of a Downtown Waste Collection District (DWD) to address the unique operational challenges of waste collection in Golden's downtown core. Downtown Collection Challenges Downtown Golden is a compact, mixed-use area consisting of commercial businesses, restaurants, retail establishments, and residential properties. Waste collection is currently provided by multiple private haulers operating independently, often within a constrained network of alleys and shared service areas. This collection environment presents several challenges, including: Limited space for storing trash and recycling containers. Multiple collection vehicles operating within narrow alleys. Conflicts between waste collection vehicles, deliveries, and other alley users. Inconsistent access to recycling services and limited opportunities for shared collection. Overflowing containers, odors, pests, and other cleanliness concerns. A need for more frequent collection without increasing the number or size of containers stored downtown. These challenges can be difficult for individual businesses or property owners to address independently. The City is therefore evaluating whether a coordinated collection model could improve service efficiency, reduce congestion, expand recycling opportunities, and improve downtown cleanliness. Proposed Downtown Waste Collection District The City envisions a voluntary collection program through which downtown businesses, residents, and property owners could opt into coordinated waste and recycling services provided by a competitively selected hauler. Potential program features include frequent or daily collection, standardized containers, shared cardboard recycling, expanded recycling opportunities, and the use of appropriately sized collection vehicles capable of navigating downtown alleys. The City has secured grant funding to support program development and potential startup investments, including collection infrastructure and an all-electric, mid-size waste collection vehicle. The DWD is intended to provide measurable benefits to participating customers while supporting a financially sustainable service model that can grow over time. The preliminary district encompasses up to 20 blocks within Downtown Golden and includes approximately 200 commercial and residential properties. Additional information about the proposed service area is provided in the Scope and Information Requested s ection. Planning and Stakeholder Engagement to Date The City has conducted preliminary outreach with downtown businesses, property owners, the Downtown Development Authority, and other stakeholders to gather feedback on current waste collection challenges and the proposed district concept. On June 9, 2026, the City hosted a demonstration of an all-electric, mid-size waste collection vehicle and a downtown alley tour to explore how smaller collection vehicles could operate within the existing alley network. The demonstration also provided an opportunity to introduce the district concept and gather preliminary stakeholder feedback. The City is continuing to evaluate potential service models, operational requirements, and financial considerations. Industry input gathered through this RFI represents the next step in program development and will help inform a future competitive solicitation. Purpose of Industry Engagement The City recognizes that the operational and financial feasibility of the district will depend on several factors, including customer participation, service frequency, equipment requirements, collection logistics, and contractual arrangements. Rather than establishing these requirements without industry input, the City is seeking feedback from waste collection providers and industry experts before finalizing its program design. Through this RFI, the City hopes to better understand the opportunities, challenges, and conditions necessary for a successful district-based collection program. The information gathered will inform the City's refinement of the program design, service models, financial considerations, and procurement strategy in preparation for a potential future competitive solicitation for waste collection services. Municipal Facility Service Independent of the Downtown Waste District initiative, the City currently contracts for solid waste and recycling collection at approximately 20 dumpsters located at municipal facilities. The City typically procures these services through a separate hauling contract on an approximately three-year cycle. As the City evaluates the Downtown Waste District and future hauling arrangements, it is also considering whether municipal dumpster service could be incorporated into the same contract. Combining these services may create operational efficiencies and provide the selected hauler with a more consistent base of service alongside participation in the voluntary Downtown Waste District.
