A gentle, practical guide to sustainable living in Larimer County. Reuse, recycle, repair, volunteer outdoors, and tap into programs that save money, reduce waste, and deepen your connection to this place.
Our wellness is tied to the land that holds us. In Northern Colorado, caring for the environment can be simple and local—drop off hard-to-recycle items, join a river clean-up, learn to garden with less water, or choose a bus/bike option once a week. This guide collects trusted Larimer County and Fort Collins resources so you can start small and keep going.
You don’t have to do everything. Pick one small action, close to home, and repeat it.
Where to Start in Northern Colorado
If you want to live more sustainably but feel overwhelmed, begin here:
- Recycling & Reuse: Find drop-off sites for glass, cardboard, electronics, and hard-to-recycle materials.
- Food & Waste: Reduce waste, recover food, and compost simply.
- Nature & Water: Learn from local experts; volunteer in natural areas; choose water-wise gardening.
- Move Gently: Try biking, busing, or car-share once a week.
- Give Back: Join clean-ups, tree plantings, or neighborhood projects—solo or with friends.
If you’re not sure which resource fits, call 2-1-1 (United Way) and ask for environmental/recycling/local program info for your ZIP code.
How Local Programs Can Help
- Timberline Recycling Center (Fort Collins): Convenient drop-off for standard recyclables and many hard-to-recycle items.
- Larimer County Household Hazardous Waste: Safe disposal of paints, chemicals, and batteries—keep toxins out of soil and water.
- CSU Extension / Master Gardeners: Classes and helpline for water-wise yards, native plants, and soil health.
- City of Fort Collins Natural Areas: Volunteer opportunities, guided walks, and stewardship projects in local open spaces.
- Sustainable Living Association (FoCo): Workshops and events that make sustainability practical at home and in business.
- Fort Collins Bike Co-op: Learn repairs, donate bikes, and make cycling easier and cheaper.
- Vindeket Foods (FoCo): No-cost food rescue market—reduce waste, stretch your budget, and support circular economy.
Step-by-Step Techniques for Chakra Restoration
Day 1 – Sort & Drop:
Gather glass, electronics, cardboard, batteries. Plan one trip to a recycling/HHW site.
Day 2 – Food Rescue / Compost Lite:
Try a food-rescue market once, or start a freezer “scrap bag” for stock. If you’re ready, order a small countertop compost pail.
Day 3 – Water-Wise Yard:
Call or browse CSU Extension for native plant lists and a simple irrigation check.
Day 4 – Move Gently:
Bus to one errand or try the bike co-op for a safety/repair tune. Put the route in your maps.
Day 5 – Nature Hour:
Walk a Natural Area. Pick up 10 pieces of litter. Log the spot you’d like to help again.
Day 6 – Reuse First:
Before buying, check reuse/surplus stores or neighborhood buy-nothing groups.
Day 7 – Volunteer Pledge:
Pick one monthly volunteer date—river cleanup, trail work, or tree planting. Invite a friend.
Reuse & Recycling
- Timberline Recycling Center (drop-off & hard-to-recycle)
- Larimer County Household Hazardous Waste (safe disposal)
Volunteer Outdoors Today
- City of Fort Collins Natural Areas (clean-ups & stewardship)
- Poudre River & trail clean-ups (seasonal events)
Explore & Learn Outdoors
- City of Fort Collins Natural Areas — guided walks, family programs, star/bird nights.
- Larimer County Natural Resources — open spaces & trail maps (e.g., Horsetooth Mountain, Devil’s Backbone, Carter Lake).
- Poudre River Trail — accessible segments for all ages; pack in/pack out and bring a small litter bag.
- Nearby Colorado State Parks (e.g., Lory State Park, Horsetooth Reservoir) — check pass/fees and water-safety notices before you go.
Food, Waste & Circular Economy in NoCo
Food is expensive—and a lot gets tossed. Vindeket Foods rescues good food that would otherwise be wasted. Pair that with pantry basics and you’ll save money while shrinking your footprint. Ask about gleaning, mobile food options, and how to donate unopened items.
Compost options: backyard bins, worm bins, or curbside/partner services where available. If full composting feels like too much, try “compost-lite”: collect coffee grounds, produce peels, and eggshells for a neighbor or community garden.
Water, Wildlife & Your Yard
Northern Colorado is semi-arid—water-wise yards matter. CSU Extension and Master Gardeners can help you choose native plants, mulch properly, and irrigate efficiently. Healthier soil = less water + more habitat. When you visit Natural Areas, stay on trail, pack out trash, and consider adopting a favorite spot as a recurring volunteer.
Getting Around—Gentler and Cheaper
Try one lower-impact trip each week: bus to a library day, bike to the market, or car-share for an event. The Fort Collins Bike Co-op can help you keep a bike rolling for far less than a shop tune-up, and many transit routes connect easily to trails and key services.
Notes & Disclaimers
Programs change; hours and accepted items may vary. Call ahead or check official pages for the latest details. In all cases, follow posted guidelines and safety rules.
Get in Touch with Us
We’d love to hear from you—share your thoughts or ask a question!
