Department of The Office of Budget and Innovation
Reference: Community Recycling and Composting
To: Mayor Gregory Mills and Members of City Council
Through: Michael P. Martinez, City Manager
Prepared By: Traci McLean, Sustainability Coordinator
Date Prepared: April 28, 2026
PURPOSE
The purpose of this staff report is to provide City Council with an overview of a proposed waste hauler licensing ordinance and to present key considerations, benefits, and next steps. The ordinance is intended to establish regulatory standards for waste haulers operating within the City of Brighton, improve data collection and transparency, and support the City’s long-term goals of increasing waste diversion, expanding recycling access, and ensuring equitable and efficient waste services across the community.
BACKGROUND
Brighton currently operates under an open-market waste collection system, where multiple private haulers provide services independently. While this structure allows for competition, it has also resulted in inconsistent service levels, limited recycling access, and inefficiencies such as redundant truck traffic.
In 2023, the City was awarded technical assistance through the Colorado Front Range Waste Diversion enterprise’s Technical Assistance Service Provider (TASP) program. Through this effort, the City partnered with Resource Recycling Systems (RRS) and Eco-Cycle to evaluate options for improving the waste system. Outreach included surveys, focus groups, and stakeholder engagement. The resulting study identified several strategies to improve service delivery and increase diversion, including implementation of a hauler licensing ordinance. Council has previously indicated interest in continuing to explore these strategies. A licensing ordinance represents a foundational step that can be implemented independently or in coordination with future system changes. In 2026, the City was awarded another round of consulting services through the new Colorado Circular Communities (C3) Strategic Technical Expertise for the Public Sector (STEPS) program. Through this effort, the City partnered with Resource Recycling Systems (RRS) and Eco-Cycle to develop a strategy for exploring the implementation of a hauler licensing ordinance in Brighton.
A hauler licensing ordinance establishes requirements for companies providing solid waste collection and transportation services within the City, including trash, recycling, organics, and construction and demolition materials.
Common components include:
• Annual licensing and fees
• Proof of insurance and vehicle standards
• Service and operational requirements
• Data reporting on customers and material volumes
• Compliance and enforcement provisions
This framework enables the City to better understand, manage, and improve the overall waste system.
Staff will continue working with the STEPS project team and key stakeholders to refine the hauler licensing framework, including conducting additional hauler engagement and developing draft ordinance components and case studies. A future City Council study session will be scheduled to review progress and gather input, after which staff will return to Council with a formal ordinance recommendation for consideration. Implementation of a standardized licensing framework is also expected to streamline administrative processes, reduce long-term staff time spent managing inconsistencies, and create clearer, more efficient requirements for all haulers operating within the City.
Recommendation: This item is for discussion and direction. Staff recommends that City Council provide feedback on the proposed approach to a hauler licensing ordinance and identify any priorities or considerations to guide the development of a future ordinance for formal consideration.
ATTACHMENTS
• April 28, 2026 Council Presentation: Hauler Licensing for Brighton