Colorado’s New Recycling Law: What It Means on the Western Slope

Changes are coming to recycling in Colorado, including Grand Junction and Western Colorado, which will involve more than just sorting bottles and cans.

Earlier in 2025, environmental types gathered in Grand Junction to take a closer look at how the state’s new recycling law might reshape communities' handling of waste and packaging from Fruita to Montrose.

What We Learned at the Recycling Summit

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Earlier this year, Grand Junction hosted Recycle Colorado’s Summit for Recycling. The focus was on Colorado’s new Producer Responsibility Program (HB22-1355). According to the summit, several speakers from around the region gathered to address challenges to local recycling, like limited curbside access, transportation costs, and ways that packaging producers might help in rural areas.

Breaking Down Colorado’s New Recycling Law

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Colorado's Producer Responsibility Program says shifting the cost of recycling from local governments back to the companies that create packaging and printed paper. This would mean the cost of recycling paper, packaging, and food service ware would all be billed to the companies that make each item. The producers would pay into a statewide fund that would improve recycling access, collection, and processing. The long-term goal is to make recycling free for residents in every zip code.

What It Means for the Western Slope

Feedback from the 2025 Summit for Recycling indicated Western Colorado needs more consistent curbside options for recycling. Work needs to be done to expand drop-off locations, and funding is required for recycling infrastructure. What will it cost to adapt to new reporting requirements or to partner with Producer Responsibility Organizations? For now, residents can stay informed by following local updates and keeping an eye on what’s next from state recycling leaders.