E-Waste Recycling in Aurora, CO: Where to Drop Off Electronics [2026 Guide]

Colorado passed the Electronic Recycling Jobs Act (HB 13-1252) in 2013, requiring electronics manufacturers to fund collection and recycling programs based on their market share. Key implications for Aurora residents:

• **Free recycling for covered devices:** Manufacturers fund free drop-off for computers, laptops, monitors, TVs, tablets, and printers. You should never have to pay to recycle these items. • **Landfill restrictions:** While Colorado does not have a statewide e-waste landfill ban (unlike 25 other states), many Colorado landfills — including the Aurora-area Arapahoe County landfill — voluntarily refuse electronics or charge premium fees to discourage disposal. • **Data security:** Colorado's Consumer Data Privacy Act (C.R.S. §6-1-713.5) requires businesses to destroy personal data before disposing of electronics. Residents should wipe drives before recycling. • **CRT TVs and monitors:** These contain 4 to 8 pounds of lead each and are classified as hazardous waste in many jurisdictions. Most free recycling programs accept CRTs, but some charge $10 to $25 due to processing costs.

These facilities accept electronics from Aurora residents at no charge for most items.

Located at 7601 S. Potomac St., Centennial — about 15 minutes from central Aurora. This is the closest county-run e-waste drop-off for most Aurora residents.

• **Hours:** Tuesday through Saturday, 9 AM to 4 PM (closed Sunday and Monday) • **Cost:** Free for Arapahoe County residents (bring ID or utility bill) • **Accepted:** Computers, laptops, monitors, TVs (including CRTs), printers, scanners, phones, tablets, cables, keyboards, mice, modems, routers • **Not accepted:** Large appliances (refrigerators, washers, dryers), smoke detectors, medical devices • **Limit:** No quantity limit for residential drop-offs. Commercial loads require an appointment.

Best Buy at 6255 S. Main St., Aurora (Southlands Shopping Center) operates a permanent electronics recycling kiosk inside the store.

• **Hours:** During store hours, typically 10 AM to 9 PM daily • **Cost:** Free for most items. TVs and monitors over 32 inches: $29.99 recycling fee. Best Buy haul-away service available for $49.99 when purchasing a replacement. • **Accepted:** Computers, laptops, tablets, phones, cables, chargers, small electronics, ink cartridges, rechargeable batteries. Up to 3 items per household per day. • **Not accepted:** Large appliances, air conditioners, items with Freon, non-rechargeable batteries over 11 lbs.

Blue Star Recyclers is a Colorado-based nonprofit that employs adults with autism and other developmental disabilities. Their Aurora drop-off location at 777 Dillon Way, Aurora accepts e-waste year-round.

• **Hours:** Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4 PM • **Cost:** Free for most items. CRT TVs: $20. CRT monitors: $10. Projection TVs: $40. • **Accepted:** Computers, laptops, servers, monitors (flat panel free), TVs (flat panel free), printers, phones, tablets, networking equipment, cables, peripherals • **Bonus:** They provide a certificate of data destruction on request and are R2/RIOS certified.

Goodwill locations throughout Aurora accept working and non-working electronics as donations. Dell partners with Goodwill through the Dell Reconnect program, providing free recycling for any brand of computer equipment.

• **Aurora locations:** 1500 S. Havana St., 2626 S. Parker Rd., 15201 E. Mississippi Ave. • **Cost:** Free (tax-deductible donation receipt provided) • **Accepted:** Computers, laptops, monitors, printers, phones, tablets, cables, small electronics • **Note:** Items donated through Dell Reconnect are recycled by Dell's certified recycling partners, ensuring responsible processing.

Arapahoe County runs several programs beyond the permanent HHW facility:

• **Quarterly Collection Events:** Held at rotating locations across the county, typically at community centers or school parking lots. These events accept electronics alongside household hazardous waste. Check arapahoegov.com/recycles for upcoming dates. • **Business E-Waste Program:** Arapahoe County offers discounted e-waste recycling for businesses with fewer than 50 employees. Contact the county waste division at 720-874-6500. • **School Collection Drives:** Several Aurora Public Schools partner with Blue Star Recyclers for annual e-waste drives, typically in April (Earth Day) and November.

Not everything with a plug qualifies as e-waste. Here is what Aurora recycling programs typically accept and reject.

**Always accepted (free at most locations):** • Desktop and laptop computers, tablets, phones • Flat-panel monitors and TVs • Printers, scanners, fax machines • Keyboards, mice, cables, chargers, power strips • Modems, routers, networking equipment • Game consoles and controllers • Digital cameras, MP3 players, GPS devices

**Accepted with fees at some locations:** • CRT monitors ($10 to $20) • CRT TVs ($20 to $30) • Projection TVs ($25 to $40) • TVs over 32 inches ($25 to $30 at Best Buy)

**Not accepted as e-waste:** • Large appliances (refrigerators, washers, dryers, ovens) — these are handled separately • Smoke detectors (contain radioactive materials — return to manufacturer) • Medical devices (contact manufacturer or medical waste hauler) • Light bulbs and fluorescent tubes (accepted at HHW facilities separately) • Non-rechargeable batteries (accepted at some locations but classified differently)

If you have a large volume of e-waste, heavy items like old CRT TVs, or simply no way to transport electronics, pickup services save you the trip.

• **Dropcurb:** Starting at $79, Dropcurb picks up e-waste curbside in Aurora — same day in most zip codes. No limit on items. You set electronics at the curb, book at dropcurb.com/book, and they handle everything including responsible recycling. Price locked online. • **1-800-GOT-JUNK Aurora:** Picks up electronics as part of mixed junk loads. Minimum charge approximately $159. On-site pricing. They will come inside your home. • **Best Buy Haul-Away:** $49.99 per large item when purchasing a replacement. Available for TVs, monitors, and computers. Must be scheduled with delivery. • **Blue Star Recyclers Pickup:** Available for businesses and large residential loads (10+ items). Contact 719-419-4215 for scheduling and pricing.

Before dropping off any electronic device, protect your personal data:

1. **Phones and tablets:** Factory reset (Settings → General → Reset → Erase All Content). Remove SIM and SD cards. 2. **Laptops and desktops:** Use DBAN (Darik's Boot and Nuke) for hard drives, or manufacturer secure erase for SSDs. Simply deleting files is not sufficient — data recovery software can retrieve "deleted" files in minutes. 3. **Printers:** Clear stored print jobs and reset to factory settings. Some printers store copies of recently printed documents. 4. **External drives and USB sticks:** Format and overwrite. Or physically destroy if the data is sensitive.

Blue Star Recyclers offers certificates of data destruction on request. If you are recycling business equipment with sensitive data, request certified destruction.