What should I remove from my pumpkin before composting it?

Your pumpkin must be free of candles, paint, glitter, stickers, and any other non-compostable decorative items before drop-off.

Is year-round composting available to all Mountain Village residents?

Village Court Apartments (VCA) residents can sign up for the Composting Pilot Program through the VCA Main Office or online. All other Mountain Village residents interested in composting services are encouraged to complete the composting survey to express interest.

Can I compost meat, bones, and pet waste?

Yes, these animal items are acceptable compostable materials, along with food waste like fruits, vegetables, and coffee grounds.

Sustainable Telluride: Free Pumpkin Composting

By Anne-Britt OstlundNovember 16, 20221 min read

Green your Halloween by giving your pumpkins a second life.

The Town of Mountain Village and Town of Telluride are collaborating to offer our community-at-large free pumpkin composting after Halloween. Drop off your pumpkins free of candles, paint, glitter, stickers and other non-compostable decorative items off near the entrance to the Gondola Parking Garage (behind Village Market/Town Hall) or in the Meadows Parking Lot November 1 through November 18, or until the containers are full!

Sustainable Telluride: Free Pumpkin Composting — photo 1

If you are interested in composting year-round and live at Village Court Apartments (VCA), you can sign up for the Composting Pilot Program through the VCA Main Office or online at the VCA Residents Page.

For all other Mountain Village residents interested in composting services, please complete our composting survey.

Examples of Acceptable Materials

If it was once alive, it can be composted.

Food waste: fruits, vegetables, peelings, eggshells, nuts, bread, coffee grounds and filters, tea leaves and tea bags (without staples)
Cooking residuals: fats, oils, greases, skimmings
Liquids: soda, beer, milk, etc.
Animal items: bones, meat, manure, pet waste, dry cat or dog food
Green waste: tree trimmings, flowers, weeds, grass, leaves and other plant material, including woody material like logs, stumps, wood chips, sawdust, pallets, and dimensional lumber that has not been treated or painted
Paper products: napkins, paper towels, paper bags, paper plates, pizza boxes, tissues, egg cartons
Products labeled “compostable”

Examples of Unacceptable Materials

Asbestos or asbestos-containing material
Infectious waste
Hazardous waste
PCB waste
Lead-acid batteries
Logs over 30” in diameter and over 7’ long
Dirty stumps
Rocks
Large pieces of iron (over 3 pounds)
Trash
Plastic
Material bagged in plastic bags

Together, we can keep Telluride clean and green!

Originally Posted In: Town of Mountain Village

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I drop off my pumpkin for composting in Telluride and Mountain Village?: You can drop off your pumpkins at two locations: near the entrance to the Gondola Parking Garage (behind Village Market/Town Hall) or in the Meadows Parking Lot. Drop-offs are accepted from November 1 through November 18, or until the containers are full.
What should I remove from my pumpkin before composting it?: Your pumpkin must be free of candles, paint, glitter, stickers, and any other non-compostable decorative items before drop-off.
Is year-round composting available to all Mountain Village residents?: Village Court Apartments (VCA) residents can sign up for the Composting Pilot Program through the VCA Main Office or online. All other Mountain Village residents interested in composting services are encouraged to complete the composting survey to express interest.
Can I compost meat, bones, and pet waste?: Yes, these animal items are acceptable compostable materials, along with food waste like fruits, vegetables, and coffee grounds.