Get Rid of Yard Waste and Other Items
As spring ushers in a period of renewal and warmth, the City of Grand Junction offers you a chance to declutter. With a tradition stretching back over a century, the annual spring clean up in Grand Junction lets you dispose of not only yard waste from landscaping maintenance activities, but also household items that serve no further purpose, ensuring your home matches the freshness of the season.
The program spans two weeks, started on April 1st, 2024. and has become one of the community’s most embraced services. If you need the latest details on this year’s event or want to schedule your clean-up, view the city’s spring cleanup page on the City of Grand Junction website. There, you can also see the list of prohibited items.
Collection Schedule & Guidelines
Be sure to put yard waste and other cleanup items against the front curb (not on your lawn as shown above)
- North Avenue: Set items out starting April 1 at 6:30 a.m.
- South Avenue (Orchard Mesa, Redlands): Set items out beginning April 8 at 6:30 a.m.
- Place items in one pile against the front curb at least two weeks before pick-up in your area.
- Piles need to sit three feet from structures and street fixtures.
- Avoid placing near decorative items or bins meant to stay put.
Mapping Pick-Up Zones
Pickup Zones for The Grand Junction Spring Cleanup. For a Fully Interactive Map Can be Viewed on the City of Grand Junction Website
- Yellow zones activate on April 1.
- Green zones activate on April 8.
Acceptable Quantities
The city is trying to keep loads reasonable and keeping the free pickup from being abused. If you do have a lot of items to get rid of, your pickup may not be completely free. Piles larger than 10 cubic yards call for a $150 fee.
Donating or Recycling Items (Instead of Trashing)
An Overview of the Spring Cleanup from KREX TV and City of Grand Junction General Services Director Jay Valentine
The City recommends donating items that others can use rather than having items needlessly end up in a landfill. Below are some recommended resources for donations of unwanted (but still valued) household items.
Goodwill Grand Junction
630 24 1/2 Rd.
Grand Junction, CO 81505|
970-243-1745
Habitat for Humanity of Mesa County
2936 North Avenue
Grand Junction, CO 81504
(970) 263-0858
Arc Thrift Stores Grand Junction
2830 North Avenue
Grand Junction, CO 81501
(970) 360-6616
Heirlooms for Hospice
635 Main Street
Grand Junction, CO 81501
(970) 254-8556
Grand Valley Catholic Outreach
245 S 1st Street
Grand Junction, CO 81501
(970) 241-3658
The Salvation Army
1235 N 4th St
Grand Junction, CO 81501
Common Questions about Spring Landscaping Clean-Up
Tasks Included in Typical Spring Landscape Clean-Up
While the city is focused on helping residents do a cleanup of all items of their house, the main focus of this website is about your lawn and landscape.
A spring yard cleanup is a comprehensive process of revitalizing your outdoor space after the winter season. It prepares your garden and yard for the growing season ahead, ensuring a healthy and aesthetically pleasing environment. Here’s what is typically involved in a spring yard cleanup:
Get Rid of Accumulated Fall and Winter Debris
The first step usually involves picking up and removing any debris that has accumulated over the winter months, including fallen branches, leaves, and any trash that may have blown into the yard.
Clean Up Your Lawn
Rake out dead grass, thatch, and leaf accumulation to allow the lawn to breathe. This is also the time to aerate the soil to promote nutrient absorption, overseed any bare spots, and apply a pre-emergent herbicide to prevent weed growth.
Prune / Trim Trees
Prune back any dead or damaged branches from trees and shrubs. This helps to encourage healthy growth and maintain the desired shape of your plants. Early spring is also a good time to trim perennial plants and ornamental grasses, as well as cut back any dead foliage from the previous year.
Edging Along the Perimeter of Your Lawn
Redefine the edges of your garden beds to create a clean and tidy appearance. This can be done with a spade or an edging tool, providing a clear separation between your lawn and garden beds.
Get Rid of Those Nasty Weeds
Remove weeds from garden beds, pathways, and lawn areas. Early weeding can help prevent the spread of weeds throughout the growing season.
Apply Mulch for Water Retention and Erosion Prevention
Apply a fresh layer of mulch to garden beds and around the base of trees and shrubs. Mulch helps to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and enhance the visual appeal of the area.
Fertilizing Lawn and Trees
Apply a balanced fertilizer to provide nutrients to your lawn, trees, shrubs, and garden plants. It’s important to choose the right type of fertilizer for each plant and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Hardscape Maintenance
Inspect and repair any damage to pathways, patios, decks, fences, and other hardscape elements. Winter weather can cause cracks and other damage that need to be fixed to maintain safety and appearance. Spring also is a good time to apply a coat of sealant to hardscapes – especially patios – that may need protection from the Elements.
Sprinkler and Irrigation Systems
Check and maintain irrigation systems, including sprinklers and drip lines. Repair any damage and adjust the system for the upcoming watering needs of the growing season.
