Basalt free residential leaf drop-off set for weekends in October, November

With leaf peeping season in full swing and more and more leaves falling off trees, the town of Basalt is offering free residential leaf drop-off events during five Saturdays in October and November.

The days for this annual event include Saturdays, Oct. 19 and 26, and Saturdays Nov. 2, 9, and 16 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., a Basalt news release states..

Leaves, trimmings, and small limbs can be dropped off at the corner of East Valley Road and Original Road near Colorado Highway 82 and the Midvalley Medical Center.

This event is for residential use only. Commercial operations will not be allowed.

“This free service aligns with Basalt’s strategic environmental goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from organic waste,” the news release states. One goal of this strategic plan is for the town to move to 100% clean energy by 2030.

This event is sponsored by Basalt’s Green Team, whose purpose is to push for a more resilient and sustainable town. The team is made up of up to seven members of council-appointed residents for three-year terms.

Other projects around Basalt include the annual Basalt Community Recycling event, the Basalt Solar Project, grant partnerships, e-bike rebates, supporting WE-cycle, town of Basalt code amendments to enact sustainable building regulations.

The town of Basalt also asked homeowners and homeowners associations (HOAs) that trees and bushes that overhang right-of-ways to be trimmed and pruned.

With winter fast approaching, this helps maintain clearance for town emergency service vehicles and plow trucks to move unhindered through neighborhood streets, another news release from the town states.

According to the town code, all roads and sidewalks must have a 14-foot clearance to allow emergency vehicles and delivery trucks to pass underneath.

Regan Mertz can be reached at 970-429-9153 or rmertz@aspentimes.com.