Advocacy Report

Denver Recycling Ordinance Including Construction & Demolition Permits Starts Sept 1, 2026

Denver has completed the final Recycling Ordinance that includes Construction & Demolition Permits. It takes effect on Sept 1, 2026. Please remember that this was a citizen initiative called Waste No More  Citizen Initiative 306 that passed with 71% of the vote. The Denver city council and Mayor did not create this ordinance and AGC opposed it but it was approved by the voters by a wide margin. AGC worked with the city to delay it’s implementation for 3 and a half years while rules were adopted and the rules take effect on Sept 1.

 

Important Links

Universal Recycling & Composting Ordinance (URCO) Overview

Construction and Demolition Projects (English)

Construction and Demolition Projects (Spanish)

 

Universal Recycling and Compost Resource Fair 

The City and County of Denver invites you to join them for a Universal Recycling and Compost Resource Fair on Tuesday, August 25 from 9:00 a.m. – 11 a.m. at McGregor Square. This event is designed to help businesses, property owners and community stakeholders prepare for Denver’s Universal Recycling and Composting Ordinance (URCO) by connecting directly with city staff, service providers and peers already taking steps on waste diversion. Please share the word with your members or other folks in your network who would be interested in this event.

 

Attendees will have the opportunity to:

• Enjoy breakfast and informal networking

• Get hands-on experience with recycling and compost set-ups

• Get signage and resource materials

• Ask questions directly to city staff

• Hear examples of how waste diversion is already working locally

 

This will be a casual, open-house style event focused on resources, connections, and practical next steps. RSVPs are encouraged so we can plan accordingly.

 

Event details

What: URCO Resource Fair

When: Tuesday, August 25 from 9:00 a.m. – 11 a.m.

Where: McGregor Square | 1901 Wazee St, Denver, CO 80202

RSVP: Denver’s New Recycling & Composting Rules: Resource Fair in McGregor Square Tickets, Tuesday, August 25  •  9 AM - 11 AM | Eventbrite

 

AGC Meets with Denver City Council Members to Discuss Proposed Best Value Contracting Ordinance for City & Airport Projects

DOTI and DEN use Best Value Contracting Now but Council May Want Expansion of Criteria

 

Denver Council Members Flor Alvidrez and Chris Hinds have introduced a proposed ordinance to alter existing contracting & purchasing criteria and process for city services including construction projects. Today the city can use CM/GC and Design-Build as well as Design-Bid-Build contracting methods, but evaluation criteria is set for each project based on that project’s challenges and needs. The proposal would attempt to standardize the criteria and add additional criteria not used today (like local hiring practices, along with health & pension benefits and additional apprenticeship utilization for all crafts). The proposal would also require a GC to provide list specialty contractors to be used on a project at proposal and include those contractors statement that they meet all the criteria.

 

AG, along with the Colorado Contractors Association and Hispanic Contractors of Colorado, met with the City Council sponsors recently to discuss the proposal. Based on that meeting, the introduction of the ordinance has been delayed and an additional meeting of the groups has been scheduled.

 

Draft Ordinance & Presentation to Denver Budget & Policy Committee

 

Position for Commercial Construction Representative Open on Wildfire Resiliency Code Board

The Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code (CWRC) establishes statewide minimum standards for construction and site development within designated Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) areas. Adopted pursuant to Senate Bill 23-166, the code is intended to reduce the risk of structure ignition from wildfires through a combination of building hardening measures and defensible space requirements. The bill established a Code Board to help adopt the initial code and make adjustments over time. AGC Advocacy Director Michael Gifford was appointed in 2023 to a 3-year term as the commercial construction representative, and his term expires at the end of September 2026. AGC would like to recommend a new commercial construction representative to the Speaker of the House for appointment to a 3-year term. Interested candidates should contact Gifford at mgifford@agccolorado.org for help in applying for the position.

 

AGC Legislative Committee Meets on Aug 4

The AGC Legislative Committee met on August 4 to review the the results of the latest round of candidate interviews and approved additional recommended AGC PAC contributions to state legislative candidates. At the Aug 4 meeting the committee approved an additional $2,500 in AGC PAC (Political Action Committee) contributions to 5 candidates for state senate and house seats. All candidates receiving AGC PAC support will be listed in the AGC Voter Guide for the November 2026 election.

 

There are 50+ members of the AGC Legislative Committee and all member firms are eligible to have a representative on the committee. The next meeting is scheduled for Sept 1. To check it out or join the committee email Nicole at the AGC office at nicole@agccolorado.org.

 

BJ4C Candidate Reception Aug 19 from 4:30pm-6:30pm

AGC is a lead group in the BuildingJobs4Colorado Coalition (BJ4C) and Michael Gifford is chair of the coalition. Every even numbered year AGC & BJ4C holds a state legislative candidate reception to support candidates that the coalition has interviewed and found to be construction industry friendly. These candidates are running for state senate and house seats in the Nov 2026 election. We will be providing them PAC donations from several construction associations at the event.

 

You are invited to attend the reception. There is no cost but an RSVP is appreciated if you will attend. Details below:

 

BJ4C Candidate Reception, August 19th, 4:30-6:30 pm

AGC of Colorado, enter at 686 Mariposa St, Denver, CO 80204

Please RSVP Here (google form)