Looking to get rid of a mattress in Denver without paying a fortune? Here’s every free and low-cost option available in 2026, plus what actually works vs. what wastes your time.
Denver Mattress Disposal: Options at a Glance
| Option | Cost | Speed | The catch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver 311 large-item pickup | Free | ~every 9 weeks | Denver city only; sits at the curb |
| Spring Back drop-off | $40/piece | Same day (you haul) | You drive it to Commerce City |
| Spring Back home pickup | $40 + $60—$90 | Scheduled days | Often costs more than full-service removal |
| Donation | Free | Varies | Thrift stores won’t take used mattresses |
| Junk Same Day (us) | From $99 | Same-day, 7 days | Paid — but we carry it out, any condition |
Free Mattress Disposal Options in Denver
1. Denver Large Item Pickup (Free, But Slow)
Cost: Free | Wait: scheduled cycle, ~every 9 weeks
Denver residents can schedule a free large item pickup through Denver 311. Call 311 or use the Denver 311 app to request pickup. They collect up to 5 large items on your regular trash day — but pickup runs on a fixed cycle (about every 9 weeks per neighborhood), and the mattress must be at the curb by 6 a.m.
The catch: You’ll wait 2-4 weeks for pickup. Your mattress sits on the curb that entire time. Some HOAs will fine you for this. And if it rains, you’ve got a soaked mattress rotting on your property.
2. Donate It (If It’s in Good Shape)
Cost: Free | Condition: Must be clean, no stains, no bed bugs
Here’s what most guides get wrong — the big Denver thrift stores don’t accept used mattresses at all:
- Arc Thrift Stores — does not accept mattresses (health & safety policy)
- Habitat for Humanity ReStore — does not accept used mattresses (hygiene policy)
- Shelters (e.g. Denver Rescue Mission) — may take a like-new mattress for direct use, by arrangement — call first
- Salvation Army — generally does not accept used mattresses
The catch: Most charities won’t take stained, torn, or older mattresses. If yours isn’t in near-new condition, this won’t work.
3. Retailer Take-Back (When Buying New)
Cost: Free or $25-$50
When you buy a new mattress, many retailers will haul away the old one:
- Denver Mattress — free removal with purchase
- Mattress Firm — free removal with delivery
- IKEA — mattress recycling program (check availability)
- Costco — some locations offer haul-away with delivery
The catch: Only works if you’re buying a new mattress. And some charge $25-$50 for the service.
4. Recycle It at Spring Back Colorado
Cost: $40 per piece (mattress or box spring) at Spring Back Colorado
Colorado has mattress recycling facilities that break down mattresses into recyclable components (steel springs, foam, fabric):
- Spring Back Colorado — the metro’s mattress-recycling nonprofit at 4975 Pontiac St, Commerce City. $40 per piece, Mon—Fri 7:30am—4pm & Sat 9am—1pm, no appointment. Bed-bug mattresses $50. Home pickup Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri for a $60—$90 fee — (720) 515-1328
- Denver Arapahoe Disposal Site (DADS) — accepts mattresses for recycling fee
- Tower Landfill — 8480 Tower Rd, Commerce City — accepts mattresses for a fee
The catch: You have to transport it yourself. Fitting a king mattress in a sedan is… not fun.
When Free Options Don’t Work
Let’s be honest about when the free options fail:
- Your mattress is stained, torn, or has bed bugs — no charity will take it
- You live in an apartment or condo — no curbside pickup available
- You’re in Aurora, Lakewood, or suburbs — Denver 311 only covers Denver city limits
- You need it gone today — free options take weeks
- You don’t have a truck — can’t haul it to a recycling center yourself
- Your HOA will fine you for leaving it outside
Same-Day Mattress Removal: The Fast Option
Tossing the bed frame along with the mattress? Here’s how to handle bed frame disposal in Denver.
When free doesn’t work, we pick up mattresses same-day starting at $99. Here’s what that includes:
- We come to your home, apartment, or storage unit
- We carry it out — any floor, any stairs, any tight hallway
- We take the box spring and bed frame too
- We recycle or donate it properly
- Done in 15 minutes
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Single mattress (twin–queen) | From $99 |
| King mattress | $199 |
| Mattress + other furniture | $149 – $249 |
| Multiple mattresses | Ask for bundle pricing |
We serve all of Denver metro — not just Denver city limits. Aurora, Lakewood, Arvada, Thornton, Littleton, Parker, Centennial, and 20+ more cities.
Mattress Disposal Laws in Denver
A few things to know before you try to get rid of a mattress in Denver:
- You cannot leave a mattress in an alley or on the curb without a scheduled pickup — this is considered illegal dumping and carries fines of $150-$999
- Apartment dumpsters typically don’t accept mattresses — your property manager will charge you if you leave one
- Colorado landfills accept mattresses but charge $15-$30 on top of the gate fee
- Bed bug mattresses must be sealed in plastic before transport — most charities and recyclers won’t touch them
Cleaning Out a Whole Garage or Basement?
If the mattress is just one item among a pile — old furniture, boxes, broken stuff that’s been sitting for years — a single-item pickup isn’t the right call. Our Denver garage cleanout service handles the whole load in one visit, starting at $125 for a small load and $295–$650 for a full garage. The mattress comes out with everything else.
Bottom Line
If your mattress is clean and you’re not in a rush, try donating first. If it’s stained, you’re in an apartment, or you need it gone today — call us.
Mattress Disposal FAQ
How much does mattress removal cost in Denver?
Free via Denver 311 curbside pickup (but you wait for the ~9-week cycle). Spring Back recycles at $40 per piece. Full-service same-day removal starts at $99 for a single mattress and $199 for a king.
Will thrift stores take my used mattress?
Usually no. Arc Thrift and Habitat ReStore don’t accept used mattresses for hygiene and safety reasons. A shelter may take a like-new mattress by arrangement — always call first.
Can I throw a mattress in the trash or a dumpster?
Not in a regular trash cart, and most apartment dumpsters ban them. Leaving one in an alley or at the curb without a scheduled pickup is illegal dumping in Denver. Use 311 large-item pickup, a recycler, or a removal service.
How do I get rid of a box spring?
Same options as a mattress — Spring Back recycles box springs at $40 each, and we haul the box spring and bed frame along with the mattress, starting at $99 for a single.
What about a mattress with bed bugs?
Seal it in plastic before moving it. Most charities and recyclers refuse them, but Spring Back accepts bed-bug mattresses for $50, and we can remove one same-day.
What’s the fastest way to get rid of a mattress in Denver?
Same-day removal — we come to you, carry it out from any floor, and haul it away in about 15 minutes, 7 days a week.
Need a Mattress Gone Today?
Same-day pickup from $99. Any condition. Any floor. Denver metro-wide.
(720) 902-8408Mattress Removal ServicesFurniture Removal in Denver