May Is Denver’s College Junk Explosion
Every May, thousands of students at DU, CU Denver, Metro State, Regis, and other Denver-area colleges move out at the same time. Apartments near campus become war zones of abandoned furniture, mattresses, and random stuff that won’t fit in a Honda Civic headed to another state.
If you’re a student, parent, or landlord dealing with the aftermath, here’s how to handle it.
What Students Leave Behind (Every Single Year)
- Mattresses and bed frames (the IKEA special that survived exactly one year)
- Futons and couches (too big to move, too cheap to ship)
- Desks, bookshelves, and TV stands
- Mini fridges and microwaves
- Clothing, shoes, and random personal items
- Textbooks nobody wants anymore
- Lamps, rugs, curtains, and kitchen supplies
- Broken chairs, tables, and storage bins
The result: dumpsters overflow, alleys pile up, and landlords are left with a cleanup bill that eats into the security deposit.
For Students: How to Get Rid of Everything Before Move-Out
1. Donate What You Can
Denver has plenty of options for gently used items:
- ARC Thrift Stores — Drop off furniture, clothing, and household items at any location
- Goodwill — Multiple locations near DU and CU Denver
- Campus move-out drives — DU and CU Denver often run donation drives in May. Check your school’s housing or sustainability office.
- Facebook “Free” groups — Post items in your neighborhood Buy Nothing group or on Marketplace
2. Sell What Has Value
Post early — don’t wait until the last day. Facebook Marketplace and OfferUp work best:
- Mini fridge: $30-$75
- Futon/couch: $25-$75
- Desk: $15-$40
- Bookshelf: $10-$25
3. Schedule Junk Removal for Move-Out Day
If you’ve got a pile of stuff, no truck, and your lease ends tomorrow, call us. We can be there the same day and clear everything in one trip.
- Studio/dorm room cleanout: $99-$149
- 1-bedroom apartment: $149-$249
- 2-3 bedroom apartment: $249-$399
- Multiple units (landlords): Custom pricing — call for a quote
Call (303) 324-6014 or book online.
For Parents: Helping Your Student Move Out
Flying in from out of state to help your kid move out of their DU or CU Denver apartment? Here’s the plan:
- Before you arrive: Have your student sort items into keep, donate, and trash piles
- Day 1: Pack what’s going home (ship heavy items via UPS/FedEx — often cheaper than checking extra bags)
- Day 2: Drop off donations, call junk removal for everything else
- Day 3: Final walkthrough, hand over keys
We work with parents all through May. Common request: "I’m flying in Thursday, my kid’s lease ends Saturday, and there’s a full apartment of furniture that can’t come with us." We handle it.
For Landlords: Post-Move-Out Apartment Cleanouts
If your tenants left belongings behind, Colorado law requires you to follow the abandoned property statute before disposing of items. Once the legal waiting period has passed:
- Single unit cleanout: $149-$399 depending on volume
- Multiple units: Volume discounts available — call for custom pricing
- Recurring service: If you manage multiple student-housing properties, we can set up a May/June cleanout schedule
We also handle full apartment turnovers — removing items, sweeping, and leaving units ready for the next tenant.
Denver Campus Areas We Serve
- University of Denver (DU) — University Park, Observatory Park, Platt Park neighborhoods
- CU Denver / CU Anschutz — Auraria Campus, Fitzsimons, City Park area
- Metropolitan State University (MSU Denver) — Auraria Campus, Lincoln Park, Baker
- Regis University — Northwest Denver, Berkeley, Sunnyside neighborhoods
- Community College of Denver — Auraria Campus area
- Johnson & Wales (closed 2025) — Former Park Hill area student housing still being turned over
Book Early — May Fills Up Fast
College move-out season is one of our busiest times. Don’t wait until the day your lease ends to call — book your removal at least a few days in advance to guarantee your preferred time slot.
Call (303) 324-6014 or book online. Same-day service available 7 days a week when schedules allow.
