Colorado businesses have a lot of options when it comes to recycling equipment. National chains, online auction sites, out-of-state dealers — they all show up in a Google search. But buying recycling equipment in Colorado isn’t the same as buying it in New Jersey or Florida, and working with a local team that actually knows this state makes a meaningful difference.
Altitude Recycling Equipment has been based in Aurora, Colorado since 2010. We service operations across the entire state — from Denver and the Front Range to Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Grand Junction, Fort Collins, Greeley, and everywhere in between. We know Colorado’s recycling landscape, its business environment, and what local operations actually need from their equipment.
Here’s what Colorado businesses should know before buying, renting, or servicing recycling equipment.
Colorado’s Recycling Landscape — What’s Driving Demand
Colorado has consistently ranked among the most environmentally conscious states in the country, and that’s reflected in the regulatory and business environment for recycling.
Colorado’s Sustainability Goals Colorado has adopted ambitious statewide sustainability and waste diversion targets. Businesses that stay ahead of these trends — particularly in waste reduction and recycling — are better positioned as regulations continue to evolve and as customers and employees increasingly prioritize environmental responsibility.
Denver and the Front Range The Denver metro area is one of the fastest-growing regions in the country. With that growth comes increasing commercial density, more retail and distribution operations, and more demand for efficient waste and recycling management. The businesses that have recycling infrastructure in place — balers, compactors, organized collection systems — handle that growth more efficiently than those managing loose material in an increasingly congested urban environment.
Colorado’s Altitude — A Genuine Equipment Consideration This is something out-of-state dealers won’t mention: Colorado’s high altitude affects hydraulic equipment performance. Hydraulic systems are designed around sea-level atmospheric pressure. At Denver’s 5,280 feet — and significantly higher in mountain communities — hydraulic efficiency can be affected if equipment isn’t properly specified and maintained. Working with a local team that knows this and accounts for it in equipment selection and maintenance is a practical advantage that matters over the life of your equipment.
What Colorado Businesses Are Baling
The types of materials Colorado businesses process for recycling vary significantly by industry and region. Here’s what we see most commonly:
Retail and Grocery (Front Range) Old corrugated cardboard (OCC) is the dominant material stream for Colorado’s robust retail sector — from independent retailers to big-box operations along the Front Range. Most vertical balers on the market handle OCC efficiently, and the high volume of Colorado retail operations means this is one of our most common equipment applications.
Distribution and Fulfillment (Denver Metro, Commerce City, Aurora) The Denver metro area’s growing distribution corridor — anchored in Commerce City, Aurora, and the I-70 corridor — generates enormous volumes of OCC, plastic film, and mixed recyclables. These operations typically need horizontal balers or auto-tie systems capable of continuous operation across multiple shifts.
Manufacturing (Pueblo, Grand Junction, Front Range) Colorado’s manufacturing base processes everything from light cardboard and plastic to industrial scrap and non-ferrous metals. Two-ram balers and specialty equipment handle the denser, more varied material streams common in manufacturing applications.
Hotels and Hospitality (Denver, Mountain Communities) Colorado’s hospitality sector — from downtown Denver hotels to mountain resort communities in Vail, Aspen, Breckenridge, and Steamboat Springs — generates consistent cardboard and mixed recyclable volumes that vertical balers and compactors handle efficiently. Compact footprint is often a priority for hotel back-of-house applications.
Cannabis Industry (Statewide) Colorado’s established cannabis industry generates significant packaging and cardboard waste. Compliant, efficient waste management is a recurring operational priority for cultivation and retail operations statewide.
Colorado-Specific Equipment Considerations
Single Phase vs. Three Phase Power Power availability varies significantly across Colorado — particularly in rural areas, mountain communities, and older commercial buildings along the Front Range. Before selecting a baler, confirm whether your facility has single phase or three phase electrical service. Many vertical balers are available in single phase configurations for facilities without three-phase power. We can help you confirm the right electrical specification before you order.
Indoor vs. Outdoor Installation Colorado’s climate — including significant temperature swings between seasons, low humidity, and UV exposure at altitude — affects equipment installed outdoors. Compactors positioned outside are common in Colorado operations, but equipment should be specified and maintained with the local climate in mind.
Space Constraints Colorado commercial real estate, particularly in the Denver metro area, is expensive. Floor space is at a premium. Vertical balers are the most space-efficient option for operations with limited square footage — we’ll always be honest about whether a vertical baler can handle your volume rather than selling you a horizontal baler you don’t have room for.
Elevation and Hydraulic Performance As mentioned above — Colorado’s elevation is a real factor in hydraulic equipment performance and maintenance. Hydraulic fluid viscosity, pump efficiency, and seal performance can all be affected at altitude. Proper fluid specification and regular maintenance matter more here than at sea level.
Where We Service in Colorado
We cover the entire state — not just the Denver metro. Here’s where our customers are:
Front Range Denver, Aurora, Lakewood, Westminster, Arvada, Thornton, Northglenn, Brighton, Commerce City, Englewood, Littleton, Lone Tree, Parker, Castle Rock, Centennial
Colorado Springs Region Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Canon City, Fountain, Manitou Springs
Northern Colorado Fort Collins, Greeley, Loveland, Longmont, Boulder, Broomfield, Erie, Windsor
Western Slope Grand Junction, Montrose, Delta, Glenwood Springs, Rifle, Fruita
Mountain Communities Vail, Aspen, Breckenridge, Steamboat Springs, Telluride, Durango, Silverthorne, Frisco
If your operation is in Colorado, we service it. Call us and we’ll be straightforward about travel time and scheduling for your specific location.
Colorado Recycling Equipment — What We Offer
New Balers We sell new vertical, horizontal, two-ram, and auto-tie balers from PTR, BACE, International Baler, Max-Pak, Maren, and Excel. Every brand we sell is one we also service — so when you buy new from us, you’re buying from a team that knows your machine from the inside out.
Used and Refurbished Balers We carry used and refurbished recycling equipment inspected and serviced by our own technicians. Buying used from Altitude means buying from a team that went through the machine before it went to you — not a broker who picked it up at auction and passed it along.
Equipment Rentals Need equipment without the upfront capital commitment? We rent vertical balers, horizontal balers, and compactors to Colorado operations on flexible terms. Maintenance and service are covered during your rental — if something needs attention, that’s on us.
Baling Wire — Ships Fast Across Colorado We stock single loop bale ties, black annealed box wire, and coil wire and ship fast across Colorado. Local pickup available at our Aurora facility for Denver metro customers. We offer competitive pricing and can beat most competitors on bale tie pricing — call us with your current supplier’s quote.
Baler Service and Preventative Maintenance We service all major baler brands across Colorado — vertical, horizontal, two-ram, and auto-tie. Scheduled preventative maintenance, emergency repair, hydraulic service, electrical troubleshooting, parts and more. If your baler is down, call us at 720-545-5348 and we’ll prioritize getting you back up.
Why Colorado Businesses Choose Altitude Recycling
We’ve been here since 2010. We’re not a national chain with a Colorado sales rep. We’re a Colorado company — founded here, based in Aurora, and built around serving Colorado businesses. When you call us, you’re talking to the people who own and run this company.
We know Colorado’s equipment needs. Altitude, climate, power availability, space constraints, regulatory environment — we factor all of it into our equipment recommendations because we operate in the same environment our customers do.
We service what we sell. Every brand we sell new is a brand our technicians can service. That’s not true of every dealer. When you buy from us, your service relationship starts on day one — not the first time something goes wrong.
We’re honest about fit. If a baler isn’t the right solution for your volume or your space, we’ll tell you. If a used machine makes more financial sense than a new one for your situation, we’ll tell you that too. We’d rather give you an honest recommendation and earn a long-term customer than make a single sale that isn’t the right fit.
Ready to Talk About Your Colorado Recycling Equipment Needs?
Whether you’re in Denver, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, Grand Junction, or anywhere else in Colorado — call us and let’s talk through what you’re processing, your volume, and what equipment makes sense for your operation.
Call: 720-545-5348 Email: sales@altituderecycling.com Address: 16701 E. Iliff Ave, Unit C, Aurora, CO 80013
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Frequently Asked Questions — Colorado Recycling Equipment
Do you service all of Colorado or just the Denver area? We service the entire state — Front Range, Colorado Springs, Northern Colorado, the Western Slope, and mountain communities. Call us and we’ll be upfront about scheduling and travel time for your specific location.
Does Colorado’s altitude affect recycling equipment? Yes — particularly hydraulic equipment. Proper fluid specification and regular maintenance matter more at Colorado’s elevation than at sea level. Working with a local team that accounts for this is a practical advantage over buying from an out-of-state dealer who doesn’t.
Can you deliver equipment to rural Colorado locations? Yes. We deliver equipment across the state. Call us to discuss delivery timing and logistics for your specific location.
Do you offer same-day or emergency service in Colorado? For machine-down emergencies, call us directly at 720-545-5348. We prioritize emergency situations and will work to get your operation back up as quickly as possible.
How do I know which baler is right for my Colorado operation? Call us at 720-545-5348 and tell us what you’re processing, your daily volume, your available floor space, and your electrical service type. We’ll recommend the right machine for your specific situation — and tell you honestly if we think used equipment or a rental makes more sense than a new purchase.
Do you have baling wire available for immediate pickup in Colorado? Yes — we stock baling wire at our Aurora, CO facility and offer local pickup for Denver metro customers. We also ship fast across Colorado for operations outside the metro area.
Altitude Recycling Equipment — Aurora, CO Colorado’s Source for Recycling Balers, Baling Wire, Rentals & Service Since 2010 16701 E. Iliff Ave, Unit C, Aurora, CO 80013 Serving All of Colorado and CO, WY, UT, NE, KS, AZ & NM720-545-5348 | sales@altituderecycling.com