Denver’s trash collection system is not paying for itself, prompting two councilmembers to call for privatizing the service as transportation officials warned residents could face higher rates.
The financial health of the city’s trash program emerged as a point of contention during Denver’s Department of Transportation and Infrastructure budget hearings on Tuesday and Thursday as part of City Council’s review of agencies’ proposed 2027 spending plans.
DOTI collects about $33 million in service charges but faces $42.9 million in trash collection expenses, which do not include fleet costs, city data shows…