Post-Holiday Junk Removal in Colorado: What to Do With All the Extra Stuff

The holidays in Colorado bring joy, family gatherings, gift exchanges, and unfortunately, a lot of extra clutter. Between packaging, broken decorations, shipping boxes, wrapping paper, new items replacing old ones, and trash from hosting, many Colorado homeowners find themselves with overflowing bins and garages packed to the brim. Post-holiday junk removal is one of the busiest times of year for Colorado Junk Runners , and with the right approach, you can handle the seasonal clutter quickly and responsibly.

Why Holiday Junk Piles Up So Quickly

Every December, households across Boulder County, Louisville, Lafayette, Erie, Longmont, Broomfield, and Arvada generate significantly more waste than usual. Here are the most common sources:

Shipping Boxes and Packaging

Colorado residents do a lot of online shopping during the holiday season. Once the gifts are opened, homeowners are left with cardboard boxes, bubble wrap, foam, plastic inserts, and oversized packaging that quickly overwhelm standard trash bins.

Old Items Replaced by New Ones

The holidays are a popular time to upgrade furniture, TVs, appliances, mattresses, and home goods. This leaves many households with old items that cannot be placed curbside or inside standard trash bins. Common items we haul after the holidays include couches, chairs, and other furniture , televisions, mattresses, and appliances such as refrigerators and freezers.

Broken or Outdated Holiday Decorations

Holiday lights, inflatables, yard displays, and indoor decorations often break, wear out, or stop working. Most municipal waste companies in Colorado do not pick up these items curbside.

Extra Trash From Hosting Guests

Holiday meals, parties, and visiting family members all contribute to significantly higher waste output, filling bins long before collection day arrives.

What You Can Recycle or Dispose of Yourself in Colorado

Colorado cities provide several options for recycling and responsible disposal. Here are items you can typically handle without professional assistance:

Cardboard and Packaging

Flattened cardboard can be taken to your local recycling center, including:

• Boulder Recycling Center
• Longmont Waste Diversion Center
• Lafayette Recycling Center
• Broomfield Recycling Center

Christmas Tree Recycling

Many Colorado cities offer seasonal Christmas tree recycling. Programs change each year, so it is best to reference a current statewide list. You can find updated Christmas tree recycling locations and schedules here:

Colorado Christmas Tree Recycling Locations (CPR Resource)

Note: Artificial trees, flocked trees, or decorated trees are often not accepted at recycling sites and may require haul-away services. For larger loads of branches or yard waste, our yard debris removal services can help.

Holiday Lights and Electronic Waste

Boulder County and surrounding areas provide e-waste recycling for broken holiday lights, extension cords, and other electronics. CHaRM in Boulder, the Longmont Waste Diversion Center, and various county collection events accept e-waste items. If you prefer not to make the trip yourself, Colorado Junk Runners offers electronics and e-waste removal.

Wrapping Paper

Plain wrapping paper is recyclable in most cities. Metallic, glittered, laminated, or plastic-coated wrapping paper must be thrown away.

Items You Should Not Put in Your Bin

Some items cannot be placed inside your municipal trash or recycling bins, and attempting to do so may result in missed pickups or fees. Avoid placing these materials in your curbside containers:

• Large piles of cardboard or packaging
• Furniture such as couches, tables, and chairs
• Televisions, monitors, and electronics
• Mattresses and box springs
• Broken trampolines or play structures
• Appliances such as refrigerators, freezers, ovens, and washers
• Bags of trash that are frozen or exceed bin capacity

When It Is Time to Call a Junk Removal Service

Here are the most common signs that a professional junk removal service is needed:

Overflowing Trash and Recycling

During winter weather, delays and reduced pickup schedules can result in several weeks of backed-up waste.

Large Packaging That Will Not Fit in the Bin

Some homes accumulate enough cardboard to fill an entire corner of the garage. Junk removal ensures everything is cleared safely and quickly.

Old Furniture and Appliances That Need Disposal

If you have replaced major household items during the holidays, you will need help disposing of the old ones. Cities do not take large items curbside, but services like furniture removal and appliance removal can handle them in a single visit.

Lack of a Suitable Vehicle

Without a truck or trailer, hauling large holiday waste is difficult, especially in winter weather conditions.

Safety Concerns

Heavy lifting on icy driveways is a common cause of injury. Junk removal professionals handle these tasks safely.

What Colorado Junk Runners Can Take After the Holidays

Our team handles a wide variety of post-holiday items, including:

• Large loads of cardboard and packaging
• Christmas trees, real or artificial
• Broken or outdated decorations
• Old furniture and mattresses
• Old appliances and electronic waste
• Toys and children's equipment
• Play structures, trampolines, and other bulky outdoor items
• Garage cleanouts and seasonal clutter

Eco-Friendly Disposal Practices

Colorado residents value sustainability, and so do we. Our team minimizes landfill impact by sorting, donating, and recycling materials whenever possible. Cardboard, metals, appliances, e-waste, and yard debris are processed through local recycling partners. Usable household items are donated to Colorado charities and organizations whenever we can find a second home for them.

Tips to Avoid Clutter Next Holiday Season

• Donate older items before buying new gifts or decor
• Use reusable totes and bags for wrapping and storage
• Create a dedicated storage area for holiday waste in your garage or basement
• Break down boxes as gifts are opened instead of letting them pile up
• Plan ahead if you know you will replace larger household items such as furniture or appliances

Need Help With Post-Holiday Junk Removal?

If your bins are overflowing, your garage is filling with cardboard, or you have large items that need to be removed, Colorado Junk Runners is here to help. We provide fast, affordable junk removal across Boulder, Louisville, Lafayette, Erie, Longmont, Broomfield, Arvada, and other nearby communities along the Colorado Front Range. You can also see all the areas we cover on our service area page.

Call or Text: 303-885-2294
Book Online: www.cojunkrunners.com