Denver to give away free mulch and compost May 2 at four locations across city
Apr 27, 2026, 3:56 PM | Updated: Apr 29, 2026, 1:17 pm
Yard maintenance is not cheap these days, so take advantage of some free material in Denver this weekend!
Denver’s Department of Transportation and Infrastructure will host its annual mulch and compost giveaway from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 2, offering residents free dig-your-own mulch at four locations across the city.
The mulch is made from holiday trees collected during the city’s Treecycle program, which accepts live Christmas trees at drop-off sites each January. Those trees are chipped and stockpiled, then distributed back to residents each spring.
This year, the city is also offering a limited amount of free compost — produced from food scraps and yard waste collected through Denver’s curbside composting program — at one location. Advance registration is required for the compost, and no coupons will be distributed on-site.
Where to get mulch
Free dig-your-own mulch will be available on a first-come, first-served basis at these four locations:
- Cherry Creek Transfer Station — 7301 E. Jewell Ave. (dig-your-own only)
- Havana Nursery — 10450 Smith Rd. (dig-your-own, plus free loader service for trucks and small, single-axle trailers)
- Denver Central Platte Campus — 2000 W. 3rd Ave. (dig-your-own mulch; compost available nearby at 1271 W. Bayaud Ave. with advance registration)
- Sloan’s Lake Park — North parking lot, N. Yates St. and W. Byron Pl. (dig-your-own only)
No registration is needed for mulch. The compost giveaway is co-located at the Central Platte Campus and requires a coupon obtained through advance registration at denvergov.org/mulch.
What to bring
The city advises residents to bring their own shovels, rakes, bags or containers for loading mulch. Those arriving with trucks or trailers should bring a tarp to cover and secure their load. For compost pickup, residents need a 5-gallon bucket, a shovel and proof of Denver residency.
The event is open to Denver residents only. Commercial vehicles are prohibited.
Aurora residents have their own option. The city of Aurora is offering free mulch at the intersection of East Hampden Avenue and South Dawson Street from 7 a.m. to noon on May 16 while supplies last.
