Medical Waste Disposal in Colorado
MedPro Disposal provides regulated medical waste, sharps and pharmaceutical waste pickup and disposal for healthcare facilities everywhere in Colorado — from the Front Range to the Western Slope — on a schedule that keeps you inside the state’s storage limits.
How is medical waste disposal regulated in Colorado?
Colorado regulates medical waste — infectious, pharmaceutical and trace chemotherapy waste — under Section 13 of its solid waste regulations (6 CCR 1007-2 Part 1), enforced by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). Every generator must have a written onsite medical waste management plan, and medical waste may be accumulated onsite only for set periods: 30 days unrefrigerated, or 90 days refrigerated, frozen or for sharps. Medical waste can go only to an approved treatment, storage or disposal facility, and Section 13 records must be kept for three years.
- State term
- Medical waste
- Rules
- 6 CCR 1007-2, Section 13
- Enforced by
- CDPHE
- Onsite storage
- 30 or 90 days
Key takeaways
- Colorado regulates medical waste under Section 13 of 6 CCR 1007-2 Part 1, enforced by CDPHE’s Hazardous Materials and Waste Management Division.
- Every Colorado medical waste generator must keep a written onsite medical waste management plan with a designated employee responsible for it.
- Colorado generators may store packaged putrescible medical waste onsite for 30 days unrefrigerated, or 90 days at 45°F or below or frozen.
- Sharps containers and other non-putrescible medical waste may be stored onsite in Colorado for up to 90 days once taken out of service and secured.
- Colorado requires medical waste records to be kept onsite for three years in an easily retrievable format.
Colorado Medical Waste Rules
Medical waste is regulated mainly by each state, with a few federal rules on top. In Colorado it’s governed by Section 13 of the state’s solid waste regulations (6 CCR 1007-2 Part 1), adopted by the Solid and Hazardous Waste Commission, and by the Infectious Waste statute (C.R.S. 25-15-401 to 25-15-407). Here’s what they require of a practice, clinic or other healthcare facility.
What Colorado regulates
Medical Waste
Infectious, pharmaceutical or trace chemotherapy waste generated in a health care setting in the diagnosis, treatment, immunization or care of humans or animals; in autopsy or necropsy; in preparing a body for cremation or burial; in research on microbiologicals or using human or animal pathogens; or related to accident, suicide or other physical trauma. Infectious waste is waste containing pathogens or biologically active material that could be a hazard to human health if mishandled. Saliva, sweat, urine, feces and lightly to moderately soiled bandages are not infectious waste unless the generator decides they should be managed as such. Household medical waste is exempt.
- Blood and body fluids
- Potentially infectious waste (cultures, stocks, isolation waste, blood-soaked items)
- Pathological waste
- Sharps
- Trauma scene waste
- Waste pharmaceuticals
- Trace chemotherapy waste
Who regulates medical waste in Colorado
CDPHE — Hazardous Materials and Waste Management Division
Administers and enforces Colorado’s medical waste rules: approves medical waste storage and treatment facilities, receives onsite-treatment notifications and spill reports, and inspects.
Solid and Hazardous Waste Commission
Adopts Colorado’s solid waste regulations, including the Section 13 medical waste rules.
Federal OSHA — Denver Area Office
Colorado has no OSHA State Plan, so federal OSHA enforces the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard for private employers. An Englewood Area Office also covers part of the state.
Key Colorado requirements
| Topic | Requirement | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Management plan | Every generator must develop and implement an onsite medical waste management plan for each facility, naming the waste types and where they’re generated, how each is identified, segregated, packaged, stored, treated, transported and disposed of, a spill contingency plan, and staff training. One employee must be responsible for it, and it must be updated when handling changes. | 6 CCR 1007-2 Part 1, §13.4; C.R.S. 25-15-403 |
| Packaging | Putrescible medical waste must be packaged to U.S. DOT infectious-substance standards before it goes into your accumulation area. Sharps containers must be closable, puncture-resistant, leakproof on the sides and bottom, and labeled or color-coded to OSHA requirements. | 6 CCR 1007-2 Part 1, §13.3.1(A); §1.2 (“Sharps container”) |
| Onsite storage | A generator may accumulate its own medical waste without a Certificate of Designation for up to 30 days (putrescible, unrefrigerated), 90 days (putrescible, at 45°F or below or frozen) or 90 days (non-putrescible, such as sharps containers taken out of service, in good condition and secured). Waste that causes a nuisance must be refrigerated, frozen, treated or disposed of immediately. No compaction before treatment. | 6 CCR 1007-2 Part 1, §§13.2.1, 13.2.4, 13.3.1(A) |
| Transport | Medical waste may only be transported to an approved commercial medical waste storage, treatment or disposal facility. Spills in transport must be cleaned up immediately; spills to the environment or that expose people must be reported to CDPHE and local authorities within 24 hours, with a written report within 15 days. | 6 CCR 1007-2 Part 1, §13.10 |
| Treatment | Infectious waste must be rendered non-infectious — at least a 4 log10 reduction in bacterial spores and a 6 log10 reduction in mycobacteria. Encapsulation or compaction alone isn’t treatment. Generators that treat onsite must notify CDPHE once before they start. | 6 CCR 1007-2 Part 1, §§13.3.1(B), 13.6.1 |
| Disposal | Untreated infectious waste can’t go to a landfill unless the facility is specifically approved for it. Treated waste must be identified as treated, or the hauler and disposal facility told in writing. Recognizable human anatomical remains must be interred, cremated, incinerated or entombed. | 6 CCR 1007-2 Part 1, §13.9; C.R.S. 25-15-405(2) |
| Records | All records Section 13 requires must be kept onsite for three years in an easily retrievable format. Your management plan must be available to inspectors, your hauler and the disposal facility. | 6 CCR 1007-2 Part 1, §§13.2.3, 13.4.2 |
- C.R.S. 25-15-401 – 25-15-407
Infectious Waste (Title 25, Article 15, Part 4)
Defines infectious waste, requires every generator to have an onsite management plan, and covers treatment, identifying treated waste, and penalties.
- C.R.S. 30-20-101 et seq.
Solid Wastes Disposal Sites and Facilities Act
The statute under which Colorado’s solid waste regulations, including the medical waste rules, are adopted.
- 6 CCR 1007-2 Part 1, §1.2
Definitions
Defines medical waste, infectious waste, sharps, sharps containers and each medical waste category.
- 6 CCR 1007-2 Part 1, Section 13
Medical Waste
Generator management plans, onsite accumulation limits, treatment standards, disposal and transport requirements.
Federal rules that also apply
| Topic | Requirement | Source |
|---|---|---|
| OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens | Sharps containers must be closable, puncture-resistant, leakproof on the sides and bottom, labeled or color-coded, and kept upright and within easy reach. Other regulated-waste containers must be closable, leak-proof and labeled with the biohazard symbol (or red). Colorado has no OSHA State Plan: federal OSHA covers private employers, and state and local government workers aren’t covered by federal OSHA. | 29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(4)(iii), (g)(1) |
| DOT shipping | Regulated medical waste ships as Division 6.2, UN3291, in rigid packaging that meets UN Packing Group II standards, with puncture-resistant containers for sharps. Colorado ties its onsite storage allowance to packaging waste this way. | 49 CFR 173.134, 173.197 |
Reviewed September 2026. This is a plain-language summary to help you plan, not legal advice — rules change, so confirm details with the agencies above. MedPro handles transport, treatment and manifests for you and can help you understand what applies to your facility.
Colorado medical waste compliance checklist
Use this to check your facility against Colorado’s Section 13 medical waste rules and the federal OSHA standard. MedPro handles the pickup, transport and treatment — the rest happens in your facility.
Get Compliant Pickup- 1
You have a written medical waste management plan
It lists the medical waste you generate and where, how each type is segregated, packaged, stored, treated, transported and disposed of, a spill plan, and staff training.
- 2
One employee is responsible for the plan
Colorado requires a designated person at each facility, and the plan is updated whenever your waste or handling changes.
- 3
The plan is on hand for inspection
Available to regulators, your hauler and the disposal facility.
- 4
Sharps go in proper sharps containers
Closable, puncture-resistant, leakproof on the sides and bottom, and labeled or color-coded to OSHA requirements.
- 5
Stored waste is packaged to DOT standards
Putrescible medical waste must be packaged for shipment as an infectious substance before it goes into your accumulation area.
- 6
Nothing sits past Colorado’s limits
30 days unrefrigerated, 90 days refrigerated (45°F or below) or frozen, and 90 days for closed, secured sharps containers.
- 7
Records are kept for three years
Onsite and easy to retrieve, including the documents that come with each pickup.
- 8
Staff are trained on bloodborne pathogens
OSHA requires bloodborne pathogens training for employees with occupational exposure.
Colorado Medical Waste Savings
Projected annual savings from quotes we’ve prepared for Colorado practices. Every practice is different — we charge only for the services you need.
See What You Could Save| Practice Type | ZIP Code | Annual SavingsProjected Annual Savings |
|---|---|---|
| Research Lab | 80912 | $3,300 |
| Veterinary | 81212 | $2,850 |
| General Practice | 80218 | $2,224 |
| Dermatology | 80012 | $1,920 |
| Orthopedics | 80124 | $1,268 |
| Health Center | 80521 | $1,080 |
It’s Easy to Get Started With MedPro Disposal
- 01
Contact Us
Contact MedPro Disposal for a fast, free medical waste removal quote. We’ll get to know you, discuss your needs, and settle on a number.
- 02
Waste Pickup Date
Work with MedPro Disposal to determine your first pickup date. We’ll confirm your office hours and provide convenient options for medical waste and sharps pickup.
- 03
Compliance Survey
After we get to know your requirements, we’ll send you a survey to identify any areas that need to be brought up to OSHA standards. All three steps occur at no additional cost to your practice.
We service all of Colorado
MedPro Disposal provides regulated medical waste pickup and disposal to healthcare facilities in every part of Colorado — wherever your practice is. Local service pages include:
- Arvada
- Aurora
- Centennial
- Colorado Springs
- Denver
- Englewood
- Fort Collins
- Lakewood
- Thornton
- Westminster
Near the state line? We serve the neighboring states too.
Colorado Medical Waste FAQs
What counts as medical waste in Colorado?
Colorado’s rules define medical waste as infectious, pharmaceutical or trace chemotherapy waste from healthcare, autopsy, body preparation, pathogen research or trauma scenes. Infectious waste includes blood and body fluids, potentially infectious waste (such as cultures, isolation waste and blood-soaked items), pathological waste, sharps and trauma scene waste (6 CCR 1007-2 Part 1, §1.2). Household medical waste is exempt.
Who regulates medical waste disposal in Colorado?
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Hazardous Materials and Waste Management Division administers and enforces the medical waste rules, which the Solid and Hazardous Waste Commission adopts. Federal OSHA enforces the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard for private employers, and U.S. DOT rules govern shipping.
How long can a medical practice store medical waste in Colorado?
It depends on the waste. Putrescible medical waste packaged to DOT standards can be stored onsite for up to 30 days without refrigeration, or up to 90 days if refrigerated at 45°F or below or frozen. Non-putrescible waste, such as closed and secured sharps containers, can be stored up to 90 days. Storing longer requires a Certificate of Designation (6 CCR 1007-2 Part 1, §13.3.1(A)). MedPro sets your pickup schedule so you stay well inside these limits.
Do Colorado medical practices need a medical waste management plan?
Yes. Every generator must develop and implement a written onsite plan covering the waste types it generates, how each is handled from segregation to disposal, a spill contingency plan and staff training, with one employee responsible for it. The plan must be kept onsite and shown to inspectors, your hauler or the disposal facility on request (6 CCR 1007-2 Part 1, §13.4; C.R.S. 25-15-403).
What does Colorado require of medical waste haulers?
Medical waste may only be taken to an approved commercial medical waste storage, treatment or disposal facility. The hauler must clean up any spill immediately and report spills that reach the environment or expose people to CDPHE and local authorities within 24 hours, with a written report within 15 days (6 CCR 1007-2 Part 1, §13.10). Federal DOT hazardous materials rules also apply.
How long do I need to keep medical waste records in Colorado?
Three years. Colorado requires all records under its medical waste rules to be kept onsite in an easily retrievable format for three years (6 CCR 1007-2 Part 1, §13.2.3). Keep your management plan current and file the documents you receive with each pickup.
Where in Colorado does MedPro Disposal provide service?
Everywhere in Colorado — we service facilities statewide, not just in the Denver metro. We also have local service pages for Arvada, Aurora, Centennial, Colorado Springs, Denver, Englewood, Fort Collins, Lakewood, Thornton and Westminster.
How much does medical waste disposal cost in Colorado?
It depends on how much waste you generate and how often it’s picked up — we charge only for the services you need. MedPro quotes in Colorado have projected annual savings from about $1,080 for a health center to $3,300 for a research lab. Request a free, no-obligation quote for your facility.
Our services in Colorado
Industries we serve
Sources
- Infectious Waste, C.R.S. 25-15-401 – 25-15-407 (Title 25, 2026) — Colorado Office of Legislative Legal Services
- Solid Wastes Disposal Sites and Facilities Act, C.R.S. 30-20-101 et seq. (Title 30, 2026) — Colorado Office of Legislative Legal Services
- 6 CCR 1007-2 Part 1 — Solid Waste Sites and Facilities (§1.2 Definitions; Section 13 Medical Waste) — Colorado Secretary of State, Code of Colorado Regulations
- Solid waste regulations (current 6 CCR 1007-2 Part 1) — Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
- Medical and pharmaceutical waste — Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
- Medical and pharmaceutical waste guidance — Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
- Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1030 — U.S. OSHA
- State Plans (Colorado is under federal OSHA) — U.S. OSHA
- Colorado OSHA Area Offices — U.S. OSHA
- Infectious substances, 49 CFR 173.134 — eCFR
- Regulated medical waste, 49 CFR 173.197 — eCFR
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