Department of The Office of Budget and Innovation
Reference: Waste Hauler Licensing Ordinance
To: Mayor Gregory Mills and Members of City Council
Through: Michael P. Martinez, City Manager
Prepared By: Traci McLean, Sustainability Coordinator
Date Prepared: July 21, 2026
PURPOSE
The purpose of this staff report is to recommend approval on second reading of an ordinance establishing a licensing program for waste haulers operating within the City of Brighton. The proposed ordinance establishes operational standards, reporting requirements, and recycling service expectations to improve transparency, accountability, and waste diversion while maintaining Brighton's open-market waste collection system.
BACKGROUND
Brighton currently operates under an open-market waste collection system in which multiple private companies provide waste collection services throughout the community. While this approach provides residents and businesses with service provider choice, it has also resulted in inconsistent service levels, limited recycling access, and limited visibility into waste collection operations occurring within the City.
In 2023, the City received technical assistance through the Colorado Front Range Waste Diversion Enterprise's Technical Assistance Service Provider (TASP) program to evaluate opportunities to improve Brighton's waste management system. The study identified a hauler licensing ordinance as a foundational strategy to improve data collection, increase recycling access, and establish consistent operating standards for waste haulers.
Building upon that work, the City was awarded additional technical assistance in 2026 through the Colorado Circular Communities (C3) Strategic Technical Expertise for the Public Sector (STEPS) program. Through this effort, Resource Recycling Systems (RRS) and Eco-Cycle assisted staff in reviewing regional ordinances, interviewing local waste haulers, and developing the proposed ordinance.
City Council reviewed the proposed licensing framework during study sessions on April 28 and June 9, 2026. Based on Council direction and stakeholder feedback, several revisions were incorporated into the ordinance prior to first reading. Key updates include:
• Removal of the annual hauler license fee.
• Modified labeling requirements to no longer require haulers to list their phone number on collection containers.
• Does not include Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) requirements.
• Exemption of junk removal companies from the licensing requirements.
• Clarification that residents are not required to recycle
• Confirmation that haulers are not required to provide organics collection.
• Language specifying that recycling service requirements for residential customers are contingent upon implementation of Colorado's Producer Responsibility Program.
The proposed ordinance applies to haulers providing trash, recycling, composting, and construction and demolition debris collection services. The ordinance establishes licensing requirements, vehicle and operating standards, annual reporting requirements, and enforcement provisions. It also requires haulers providing regular curbside residential trash collection to provide biweekly recycling collection to single-family and qualifying multifamily residences, contingent upon Colorado's Producer Responsibility Program. To improve accountability and reduce contamination concerns, haulers must verify that collected recyclables are delivered to legally permitted recycling facilities.
The proposed ordinance maintains Brighton's competitive open-market system while establishing consistent expectations for all licensed haulers operating within the City. The ordinance is also generally consistent with regional licensing programs adopted by neighboring jurisdictions, including Adams County, while incorporating provisions specific to Brighton's community priorities.
If Council accepts this version of the ordinance, staff will return to City Council for second reading and final adoption. Following adoption, staff will complete development of a Best Practices Management Plan and work with haulers to facilitate implementation of the new licensing program.
At first reading, City Council passed the ordinance with an amendment to remove the phone number from the labeling requirements. The ordinance presented for final reading contains the amended language.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends approval of the ordinance to proceed to second reading and final adoption.
ATTACHMENTS
• Ordinance as Amended at First Reading
• Redline page of ordinance change from first reading
• July 21, 2026 Council Presentation: Hauler Licensing for Brighton