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: June 9, 2026
PURPOSE
The purpose of this staff report is to provide City Council with an overview of a proposed waste hauler licensing ordinance and recommend proceeding to first reading of the draft ordinance. The ordinance is intended to establish regulatory standards for waste haulers operating within the City, 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 efforts 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 previously indicated interest in continuing to explore these strategies.
In 2026, the City was awarded an additional round of no-cost consulting services through the Colorado Circular Communities (C3) Strategic Technical Expertise for the Public Sector (STEPS) program. Through this effort, the City again partnered with...
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