Extend Denver’s Compost Processing Contract
City Council meeting · Monday, September 28 at 3:30 PM
The decision
Should Denver add $2.5 million and two years to its contract with Waste Management for compost processing?
Who notices: Denver residents who use city compost collection and workers at the composting facility at DADS Landfill could notice the effects.
Plain-language summary based on official city records. Written with AI assistance.
How the council voted
Passed11–0 September 28, 2026
11 Yes · 0 No · 2 Didn't vote
- Amanda SandovalNorthwest Denver · D1Didn't vote
- Kevin FlynnSouthwest Denver · D2Voted yes
- Jamie TorresWest Denver · D3Voted yes
- Diana Romero CampbellSoutheast Denver · D4Voted yes
- Amanda SawyerEast Denver · D5Voted yes
- Paul KashmannSouth-central Denver · D6Voted yes
- Flor AlvidrezSouth Denver · D7Voted yes
- Shontel LewisNortheast Denver · D8Voted yes
- Darrell WatsonNorth-central Denver · D9Voted yes
- Chris HindsCentral Denver · D10Voted yes
- Stacie GilmoreFar Northeast Denver · D11Voted yes
- Serena Gonzales-GutierrezCitywide (at-large)Voted yes
- Sarah ParadyCitywide (at-large)Didn't vote
Official roll call from the City of Denver's voting record.
What happens next
The decision stands. City staff now carry it out; timing depends on the item, so check the official agenda for dates. You can still email your council member to say thanks or share concerns.
Benefits and concerns
Potential benefits
City waste-service planners
A longer processing agreement could help city waste-service planners avoid a gap while arranging where collected compostable material goes.
Possible tradeoff, inferred from the proposal. Not a reported position of this group.
Possible concerns
Residents paying for city services
Residents paying for city services could ask how much material the added funding would process, to judge whether the extension offers good value.
Possible tradeoff, inferred from the proposal. Not a reported position of this group.
Over the years
Households using Denver’s compost collection
Residents could keep separating compostable waste as part of their regular household routine, with processing covered through the extended contract.
Possible longer-term effect, inferred from the proposal. Not a guaranteed outcome.
What changes for you
The amended contract would run through January 31, 2029. October 19, 2026, is the last regularly scheduled council meeting within the review period.
Sources & transparency
Plain-language summary based on Denver's official city records, written with AI assistance. Not yet checked by a person.
26-1338Official status: AdoptedUpdated by the City Sep 29, 2026
Read the official record
A resolution approving a proposed Amendatory Agreement between the City and County of Denver and Waste Management Disposal Services of Colorado, Inc. for compost processing services, Composting Facility at DADS Landfill. Amends a contract with WASTE MANAGEMENT DISPOSAL SERVICES OF COLORADO, INC. to add $2,500,000.00 for a new total of $8,500,00.00 and by adding two years with a new end date of 1-31-2029 for compost processing services, Composting Facility at DADS Landfill, citywide (DOTI-202372031/DOTI-202685275-01). The last regularly scheduled Council meeting within the 30-day review period is on 10-19-2026. The Committee approved filing this item at its meeting on 9-16-2026.