Denver Junk Removal · Resource Center
How to Get Rid of a Hot Tub in Denver
That dead hot tub on the patio is heavier than a car when it’s full, wired to 220 volts, and can’t go in the trash. Here’s how it comes apart safely — and why most people hand it off.
An old hot tub is one of the toughest things to remove from a backyard. Even empty it can weigh 500 to 1,000 pounds; full, it’s a few thousand pounds of water. It runs on a dedicated 220-volt circuit, the shell has to be cut apart to move it, and Denver won’t take it at the curb. Here’s the whole process — done right.
Can you put a hot tub in the trash?
No. A dismantled hot tub is bulky construction-type debris with an electrical control pack, and Denver’s Large Item Pickup excludes construction materials and appliances (and caps you at five items every nine weeks anyway). So the realistic routes are self-hauling the cut sections to a construction & demolition disposal site, or a junk-removal pickup that does it all in one visit.
Skip the 220-volt wiring and the reciprocating saw?
How to remove a hot tub yourself, step by step
The order matters — power first, water second, structure last. Two hazards to respect throughout: live 220-volt wiring and the weight.
- Kill the power at the breaker. A hot tub sits on a dedicated 220–240V GFCI circuit, usually hardwired to a disconnect box near the tub. Shut off its breaker at the main panel, then disconnect and cap the wiring. If the wiring isn’t obvious, hire a licensed electrician — this is the single most dangerous step.
- Disconnect any gas line. Most tubs are electric, but if yours has a gas heater, shut off and disconnect the gas supply (a licensed gas-fitter’s job).
- Drain it. Stop adding chemicals and let the chlorine dissipate for a few days first, then empty the tub with its drain plug or a submersible pump. Never try to move a tub with water in it (see the draining rules below).
- Strip the cover, cabinet, and decking. Remove the spa cover, unscrew the side cabinet/surround panels, and take apart any decking or steps around the tub to open a haul path.
- Cut the shell into sections. With power confirmed off and the tub empty, cut the acrylic shell and its fiberglass backing into ~50–100 lb pieces with a reciprocating saw. Wear cut-resistant gloves and eye protection — fiberglass throws sharp shards and irritating dust.
Draining it: where the water can legally go
Spa water is chlorinated, and in Denver the storm drains flow untreated straight to local creeks — so this matters.
Drain to the sanitary sewer (an indoor floor drain or cleanout) at a slow rate — that’s the safest route. Or let the chlorine fully dissipate over several days and drain slowly onto your own landscaping. Never send chlorinated water into a street gutter or storm drain — it’s a prohibited discharge that kills aquatic life downstream.
Removing the concrete pad? Call 811 first
If the tub sat on a concrete pad and you plan to break it up and dig it out, Colorado law requires you to contact Colorado 811 at least a couple of business days before you dig. It’s free, and it gets underground utility lines marked so you don’t hit a gas or power line. Leaving the pad in place (or repurposing it as a patio) skips this entirely.
DIY vs. hiring it out
You can do it yourself, but here’s why most people don’t:
- Electrical — 220V hardwired power often needs an electrician to disconnect safely.
- Weight — even drained, 500–1,000 lbs of shell and frame; moving it takes several people and equipment.
- Cutting — slicing acrylic and fiberglass is slow, sharp, and dusty.
- Access — most tubs sit behind a fence or on a raised deck, reachable only through a narrow gate — the exact thing that turns a simple haul into a wrestling match.
How much does hot tub removal cost?
Typically $300–$700, with the price driven by size and access:
| Situation | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Above-ground tub, easy access | ~$300–$500 |
| Large tub or tight access (stairs, gate) | ~$500–$800 |
| In-ground spa or crane needed | $1,000–$2,000+ |
These are typical ranges — a raised deck or a tub with no yard access (needing a crane) pushes toward the high end.
Hot tub removal FAQs
How do you get rid of a hot tub?
Disconnect the 220V power, drain the water legally, remove the cover and cabinet, cut the shell into sections with a reciprocating saw, and haul the pieces to a construction-debris disposal site — or hire a junk-removal crew to do the whole thing in one visit. It’s not curbside-trash eligible.
Can I dispose of a hot tub myself?
Yes, but it’s not trash you can set at the curb. You’ll need to safely disconnect 220-volt wiring, drain it properly, cut it into haulable pieces, and take the sections to a C&D disposal site yourself — which is why many people hire it out.
How do you drain a hot tub for removal?
Stop adding chemicals and let the chlorine dissipate for a few days, then use the drain plug or a submersible pump to send the water to the sanitary sewer or slowly onto your own landscaping. Never drain chlorinated water into a street gutter or storm drain.
How much does hot tub removal cost in Denver?
Typically $300 to $700 for an above-ground tub, more for a large or hard-to-reach one, and $1,000+ for an in-ground spa or a job that needs a crane. A same-day crew quotes a flat price up front after seeing the access.
How heavy is a hot tub?
Empty, a hot tub weighs roughly 500 to 1,000 pounds depending on size. Full of water it can exceed 3,000 to 8,000 pounds — which is exactly why you must drain it completely before anyone tries to move it.
Let us haul the hot tub
Same-day hot tub removal across the Denver metro — our insured crew disconnects it, cuts it down, and hauls every piece, from behind the fence or off the deck. Free quote, flat price up front.