Trash & Containers

Bears-Trash

Why the Ordinance?

Steamboat Springs City Council adopted the amended ordinance in 2015 because of the increasing number of bear and other wildlife encounters in town to ensure the safety of the public and animals. When wildlife has access to trash, they are drawn closer to homes which creates potentially dangerous situations between the animals and people. 

The city asks for your compliance with these laws to help keep wildlife where they belong - in the wild.

Commercial/Residential Uses

An Approved Wildlife Resistant Container is a container used for the storage of refuse that has been approved for use in the City of Steamboat Springs.

Commercial

The updated 2015 ordinance makes it mandatory for commercial properties to use an Approved Wildlife Resistant Trash Container at all times when the container is outdoors.

All commercial properties within the City limits, including properties used for special events and properties that are the site of construction activities, need to follow the new regulations.

Residential

Requirements for residential properties (ordinance adopted in 2005) have not changed; however, enforcement has been stepped up. 

Residential requirements include storing refuse containers (if not Approved Wildlife Resistant Containers) indoors at all times except between the hours of 6:00am and 8:00pm on trash pick up days.  

Steamboat Springs Police actively enforce the Wildlife Resistance Trash Ordinance.

Black Bear and Trash Can

A list of certified “bear-resistant” garbage containers from Living with Wildlife and Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee can be found here. Any and all containers must have the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee certification.