Utility Rate Changes
The Longmont City Council is considering a change to Longmont’s sanitation rates for 2027 and 2028. If approved, here’s what would change:
- Composting would cost less on your bill. If you have curbside compost service, your rate would go down.
- Trash rates would depend more on cart size. A 96-gallon cart would cost more. A 48-gallon cart would cost about the same. A 24-gallon cart would cost less.
These changes are meant to encourage more composting and less trash. Longmont’s goal is to keep 75% of waste out of the landfill by 2030.
If adopted, the new rates would begin to take effect on Jan. 1, 2027. Details of the proposed rates can be found here.
How will trash and composting rates change?
| Service | Current rate | Approved 2027 rate | Approved 2028 rate | Proposed 2027 rate (pending Council approval) | Proposed 2028 rate (pending Council approval) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trash, 24-gallon cart | $7.70 | $7.70 | $8.30 | $6.91 | $7.45 |
| Trash, 48-gallon cart | $14.10 | $15.40 | $16.70 | $15.55 | $16.86 |
| Trash, 96-gallon cart | $26.30 | $28.80 | $31.50 | $34.55 | $37.79 |
| Compost | $9.90 | $12.40 | $14.90 | $4.95 (48-gallon bin) $7.43 (96-gallon bin) | $5.95 (48-gallon bin) $8.92 (96-gallon bin) |
Rebates and Savings
Longmont takes pride in providing quality utility service at a reasonable cost. The community has several options to help lower bills, including:
- Right-sizing your trash service. Many households pay for a bigger cart than they actually fill. Switching to a 48-gallon cart, or to every-other-week collection, lowers your rate. Not sure what size you need? Our team can look at your account and help you figure it out. Learn more on the Waste Services rates page.
- Longmont CAReS. This program offers financial assistance and rebates in a number of services for income-qualified residents.
- Efficiency Works. This program helps homes and businesses find ways to save money and energy.
- Longmont’s water-efficiency rebates. These help homes and businesses make improvements that lower water use.
- Colorado’s Affordable Residential Energy Program (CARE). This program offers free energy efficiency upgrades for income-qualified residents.
- Longmont’s COPE (Citizens’ Option to Provide Energy). This agreement between the City and the OUR Center helps residents pay past-due utility bills when all other resources are exhausted. This is a neighbors-helping-neighbors program that customers can donate to as part of their utility bill.
Ordinances and Rate Information
- Sanitation Rates – Council Communication (summary and background information)
- Sanitation Rates – Ordinance (full text of proposed changes to the sanitation rates) Pending