Downtown Waste Collection District – Request for Information (RFI)

As the agency published it

City of Golden - Sustainability has issued request for qualification, solicitation 2026-RFQ-357.

The City of Golden is seeking industry input regarding the development of a Downtown Waste Collection District (DWD). This request for information (RFI) is intended to gather feedback from qualified waste collection providers and industry experts regarding program feasibility, operational considerations, service models, and potential contractual arrangements. The information gathered will help inform program design and development of a future request for proposals. Interested parties are invited to submit written feedback and/or participate in a meeting with the City's Sustainability Division to discuss the proposed program. Participation in this process is voluntary and does not constitute a formal proposal or provide an advantage in any future procurement. This solicitation is being published using a Request for Qualifications template for administrative purposes; however, the City is not seeking qualifications for contractor selection or soliciting proposals for services at this time. Written responses are due no later than 11:55 PM on December 18, 2026. Questions must be submitted no later than 11:55 PM on November 29, 2026. Written responses and Questions must be submitted through the E-Procurement Portal at https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/cityofgolden. The following link has helpful information and videos for vendors, contractors, and consultants new to OpenGov Procurement - Video Guides: OpenGov Procurement Vendor Training. It is strongly encouraged to familiarize yourself with the portal well in advance of the bid submission date, email the Project Manager or Procurement Manager with portal questions, and use the OpenGov chat feature in the lower righthand corner.

The City of Golden is committed to advancing waste reduction and diversion through programs and policies that improve access to sustainable waste management services. Over the past several years, the City has implemented and expanded programs to support these goals, including: Residential Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) Program: A City-managed residential waste collection program that provides trash, recycling, and organics collection to approximately 4,800 households. The program encourages waste reduction through volume-based trash pricing and provides residents with convenient access to recycling and composting. Appliance and Mattress Recycling Program: A City collection program that provides residents with free curbside recycling of full-sized appliances, mattresses, and box springs, helping divert bulky materials from disposal. Universal Recycling Ordinance (URO) Development: Over the past few years, the City has explored a potential ordinance to expand recycling access among businesses and multifamily properties not served by the PAYT program. The City has coordinated its policy development with Colorado's Producer Responsibility Program, seeking to align future recycling requirements with available funding, incentives, and infrastructure to minimize additional burdens on affected properties. The ordinance remains under development, with adopted anticipated in 2027. Building on these efforts, the City is exploring the development of a Downtown Waste Collection District (DWD) to address the unique operational challenges of waste collection in Golden's downtown core. Downtown Collection Challenges Downtown Golden is a compact, mixed-use area consisting of commercial businesses, restaurants, retail establishments, and residential properties. Waste collection is currently provided by multiple private haulers operating independently, often within a constrained network of alleys and shared service areas. This collection environment presents several challenges, including: Limited space for storing trash and recycling containers. Multiple collection vehicles operating within narrow alleys. Conflicts between waste collection vehicles, deliveries, and other alley users. Inconsistent access to recycling services and limited opportunities for shared collection. Overflowing containers, odors, pests, and other cleanliness concerns. A need for more frequent collection without increasing the number or size of containers stored downtown. These challenges can be difficult for individual businesses or property owners to address independently. The City is therefore evaluating whether a coordinated collection model could improve service efficiency, reduce congestion, expand recycling opportunities, and improve downtown cleanliness. Proposed Downtown Waste Collection District The City envisions a voluntary collection program through which downtown businesses, residents, and property owners could opt into coordinated waste and recycling services provided by a competitive

Responses are due December 18, 2026 at 11:55 PM MST.

Questions must be submitted by November 29, 2026 at 11:55 PM MST.

Commodity categories: Containers, Recycling; Garbage Cans, Containers and Racks; Recycling Equipment, Machines, and Supplies; Garbage/Trash Removal, Disposal and/or Treatment; Recycling Services; Refuse/Garbage Collection/Dumping Equipment Maintenance and Repair; Waste Management Services; Garbage/Refuse Equipment (Dumpsters, etc.) Rental or Lease.

Contact: Samantha Grant, Sustainability Coordinator (sgrant@cityofgolden.gov, (303) 384-8013).

2 documents are attached to the notice: Optional Response Template; DWD Map Boundary.

The full solicitation document, addenda and the question-and-answer thread are on the agency's OpenGov portal at https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/cityofgolden/projects/322451. Responses are submitted electronically there, and a free vendor account is required before you can upload one.

Reproduced from the official notice via OpenGov Procurement - Colorado. The agency's page is the one that counts.