Roof Recycling in Colorado: New Denver Rules and Practical Options
Colorado homeowners and contractors are increasingly looking for responsible ways to handle roofing materials at the end of their service life. Denver is now introducing new requirements that will make recycling and reuse part of the permitting process for many construction and demolition projects.
Beginning September 1, 2026, the City and County of Denver will require many qualifying projects to divert at least 50% of construction and demolition debris by weight and recycle or reuse at least three covered material categories. These rules apply only within the City and County of Denver.
What the New Denver Rules Mean for Roofing Projects
For qualifying roofing projects, contractors may need to submit a waste-diversion plan before the permit is issued. The plan must estimate the total debris weight, identify materials intended for recycling or reuse, list the destination and transportation method, and estimate the project’s diversion rate.
After final inspection, the contractor generally has 60 days to provide supporting documentation such as weight tickets, donation receipts, photographs, or written records showing where reusable materials were taken.
The rules do not require every roofing material to be recycled, and they do not prohibit landfill disposal. However, material sent to a landfill counts against the required diversion percentage. Contractors may apply for modified requirements when full compliance is impractical.
What About Asphalt Shingles?
Asphalt shingles remain one of the most difficult roofing products to recycle in Colorado because the state lacks a convenient, widespread processing network. The Denver rules also do not specifically identify asphalt roofing shingles as a covered material. In most cases, removed asphalt shingles will continue to be disposed of unless a recycler specifically agrees to accept them.
Clay and Concrete Roofing Tile Can Often Be Reused
Clay and concrete roofing tiles are different from many other roofing products because intact tiles can retain value after removal. Usable tiles may be sorted, stored, and reused for repairs, restoration work, additions, or matching discontinued profiles and colors.
Formula Roofing & Remodeling, doing business as Custom Tile Roofing, accepts used clay and concrete roofing tiles in many circumstances. Homeowners and contractors who need a facility for surplus or removed tile should contact us before disposal so we can review the tile type, profile, quantity, condition, and project location.
Assistance for Contractors
For contractors with larger quantities of salvageable clay or concrete tile, we can often provide large metal collection crates, coordinate placement at the project, and arrange transportation off-site at no charge.
Availability depends on the material, quantity, condition, project location, site access, timing, and desirability. Contractors should provide photographs, the project address, estimated quantity, manufacturer or profile if known, and the anticipated tear-off date.
A Better Option for Homeowners Replacing a Tile Roof
If you are a homeowner considering replacement of a clay or concrete tile roof, Formula Roofing can manage the complete project, including removal of the existing roof and installation of the new roofing product you select.
When the existing tile has salvage value, Formula may offer project-specific credits or discounts based on the type, condition, quantity, rarity, and demand for the material. Hiring Formula allows the removal, salvage evaluation, transportation, and new roof installation to be coordinated as one project.
This can reduce unnecessary disposal while giving the homeowner access to experienced clay and concrete tile roofing specialists and a wide range of replacement options.
Being Green Has Always Been Part of Our Business Philosophy
Long before Denver adopted formal construction-waste diversion rules, salvaging and reusing tile was part of the way Formula Roofing and Custom Tile Roofing operated. Preserving discontinued and hard-to-find roofing tile keeps usable material out of landfills and helps property owners complete accurate repairs and restorations.
The new Denver requirements reinforce a practice we have supported for years: roofing materials should not automatically be treated as waste when they still have practical value.
Contact Formula Roofing / Custom Tile Roofing
Homeowners and contractors with used clay or concrete roofing tile should contact us before removing or disposing of the material. We can help determine whether the tile may be accepted, whether collection crates and transportation are available, and whether salvage credits or project discounts may apply.
Call 303-600-8696 or email info@formularoofing.com / customtileroofing@gmail.com for details.
Acceptance is not guaranteed and is subject to advance review of the tile, quantity, condition, project location, access, timing, and current storage needs. Denver permitting and waste-diversion requirements may vary by project.










