MONTREAL (RecyclingMonster): Colorado's producer-funded recycling system is expanding to additional communities as the state begins implementing its Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program for packaging and paper products.

Circular Action Alliance Colorado (CAA Colorado), the state's designated Producer Responsibility Organization, has entered into funding agreements with the City of Cortez on behalf of both Cortez and the Town of Dolores, as well as the Town of Oak Creek.

The City of Golden, the City of Thornton and several additional communities are expected to join the program as implementation continues.

Producer Funding Begins Reaching Local Recycling Programs

The agreements represent an important shift from program planning to local implementation under Colorado's Producer Responsibility Program for Statewide Recycling Act, or HB22-1355.

Under the program, eligible participating recycling service providers can be reimbursed for 100% of their net costs for qualifying recycling services. Those costs can include collection, transportation, sorting and processing, as well as eligible administrative, education and capital expenses.

Revenue generated from recyclable materials and certain other applicable funding is taken into account when calculating net reimbursement.

The reimbursement structure is intended to allow communities and recycling companies to provide covered residential recycling services without charging consumers separately for services performed on behalf of CAA.

Cortez, Dolores and Oak Creek Among Early Participants

Producer-funded curbside recycling is now listed for eligible residential customers in Cortez, Dolores and Oak Creek.

In Cortez, the city is also providing service to the Town of Dolores. The rollout illustrates how the statewide framework can use existing municipal and regional collection systems rather than requiring a single uniform operating model across Colorado.

Golden and Thornton are among the communities preparing to participate next as CAA continues to execute agreements around the state.

Haulers and Processing Facilities Join Colorado EPR Network

CAA Colorado is also building out the collection and processing network that will support the statewide program.

Apex Waste Solutions, Boulder County, Bruin Waste, Clean Valley Recycling and Ranch Creek Waste are among the first service providers with agreements in place.

CAA said discussions are also underway with additional operators, including Republic Services, Waste Connections of Colorado and Waste Management.

For participating haulers, material recovery facilities, transfer stations and other eligible providers, service agreements establish reimbursement terms, operating requirements and data-reporting obligations. Payments may cover qualifying operating and capital costs associated with services for materials included in the program.

Colorado EPR Law Shifts Recycling Costs to Producers

Colorado enacted HB22-1355 in 2022 to establish a statewide producer responsibility program for packaging and paper products.

The law requires producers of covered materials to fund the recycling system through producer responsibility dues rather than placing the eligible cost of those services primarily on local governments and residents.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment approved CAA's final program plan in December 2025, clearing the way for implementation beginning in 2026.

The initial service rollout focuses on residential recycling. Under the broader statutory framework, program coverage is scheduled to expand in later phases to additional covered entities.

Statewide Characterization Study Targets Contamination and End Markets

CAA Colorado is also analyzing tens of thousands of pounds of recyclable material collected from locations across the state as part of a recycling characterization study.

CAA said the work is intended to provide more detailed information about what residents currently place in recycling systems and to support more consistent recycling instructions, lower contamination and improve the flow of recovered materials to end markets.

The organization has also launched RecycleOn Colorado as part of its statewide education and outreach effort, providing residents with information about participating recycling providers and local material-preparation requirements.

Colorado Targets Higher Packaging and Paper Recycling Rates

CAA says Colorado's producer responsibility program aims to increase the applicable recycling rate from about 25% to 41% by 2030.

The broader approved program plan projects that expanded services could eventually provide convenient recycling access to as many as 700,000 additional households while increasing collection and processing capacity across the state.

Those figures are program targets and projections rather than results already achieved.

EPR Rollout Continues Amid Legal Challenges

Colorado's implementation is continuing while elements of the state's EPR framework face legal challenges.

The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors filed a federal lawsuit in July challenging HB22-1355 and later sought a preliminary injunction against enforcement. A separate challenge involving lubricant manufacturers has also been pending in Colorado.

No court order pausing the statewide program had been reported as of September 16, and CAA has continued implementing the approved program under state oversight.