Is Dumpster Diving Legal in Colorado?
Dumpster Diving is legal with restrictions in Colorado as of 2026. Colorado does not have specific dumpster diving laws, but trespassing laws under Colorado Revised Statutes § 18-4-502 prohibit entering private property without permission. Dumpster diving on private property without consent may be prosecuted as trespassing.
Dumpster Diving is LEGAL WITH RESTRICTIONS in Colorado
Dumpster Diving is legal in Colorado but with specific restrictions and regulations.
Dumpster Diving Laws in Colorado: Quick Facts
- 1 Legal Status: Dumpster Diving is currently legal with restrictions in Colorado.
- 2 Possession: Allowed if dumpster is on public property or accessible without trespassing; otherwise, possession may be unlawful.
- 3 Sale: No explicit restrictions on sale of found items; stolen property laws apply if items were taken unlawfully.
- 4 Age Restriction: None
- 5 Penalties: Trespassing is a petty offense or misdemeanor punishable by fines and/or jail time (C.R.S. § 18-4-502).
Detailed Legal Breakdown
| Possession | Allowed if dumpster is on public property or accessible without trespassing; otherwise, possession may be unlawful. |
| Sale | No explicit restrictions on sale of found items; stolen property laws apply if items were taken unlawfully. |
| Age Restriction | None |
| Penalties | Trespassing is a petty offense or misdemeanor punishable by fines and/or jail time (C.R.S. § 18-4-502). |
| Pending Legislation | None known |
How Does Colorado Compare?
Across all 50 states, Dumpster Diving is fully legal in 1 states, legal with restrictions in 49 states, and illegal in 0 states. Colorado is among the 49 states where it is legal with restrictions.
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Editorial Standards
This page was researched and written by the editorial team at IsThisLegalInMyState.com. All legal information is sourced directly from official state statutes, regulatory agency publications, and legislative databases. Our team reviews each page for accuracy and updates it when laws change.
Source
Citation: Colorado Revised Statutes § 18-4-502 - Criminal Trespass
https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/olls/crs2019-title-18.pdf
Last verified: 2026-01-15
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