Scrap Metal Recycling Center Denver: Hours, Pay Rates
Use this Denver guide before you load copper, brass, aluminum, steel, appliances, wire, batteries, catalytic converters, e-scrap or mixed shop metal. It compares official yard hours, gate-close cutoffs, pay-rate questions, ID/payment rules, sorting tips, rejected-load reasons and safer alternatives when a yard cannot take your item.
Fast Answer: How to Use a Denver Scrap Yard Without Wasting the Trip
Denver has several private scrap metal yards. They do not all use the same receiving hours, gate-close cutoff, material grades, public drop-off process, cash/check rules or commercial pickup system. A map pin can say “open” while the metal scale, gate or buying office is close to cutoff.
For a normal pickup-bed load, sort copper, brass, aluminum, stainless, steel, insulated wire, batteries, electronics and appliances separately before arrival. Bring valid photo ID, know where the material came from, and call for a grade-specific quote before expecting a payout.
On This Page
- Fast answer
- Denver scrap yard comparison
- Hours and gate-close rules
- First-time seller flow
- Pay rates and quote rules
- Payout estimate tool
- Accepted scrap metal items
- What pays most
- Clean vs dirty grades
- Rejected loads
- Colorado ID/payment rules
- Appliances and Freon
- Catalytic converter caution
- Commercial loads
- Official links
- Map
- FAQ
Denver Scrap Metal Recycling Centers: Compare Address, Hours and Best Use
Use this table as a planning guide, not as a live open/closed guarantee. Denver scrap yards can change receiving hours for weather, holidays, staffing, maintenance, safety events, market conditions or large commercial jobs. Always verify the exact yard page or call before driving.
| Scrap Yard | Verified Public Details | Best Use | Before You Drive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlas Metal & Iron | 1100 Umatilla St, Denver, CO 80204. Local phone listed as 303-389-4800 / 303-825-7166. | Copper wire, common nonferrous metals, steel/stainless, computer recycling, container service and Denver-area scrap loads. | Gate closes before the full posted weekday closing time. Do not arrive at the last minute. |
| All Recycling — North Denver | 5350 Washington Street, Denver, CO 80216. Phone listed as 303-293-3333. | Open-to-public scrap, ferrous buying, nonferrous buying, electronic material buying, transfer station and logistics services. | Metals hours are different from trash hours. Check holiday closures. |
| Denver Metal Recycling | 4770 Ivy St, Denver, CO 80216. Phone listed as 303-316-2880. | Ferrous, nonferrous, electronics, batteries, scrap cars, wheels, catalytic-converter-style loads where accepted, and haul-away service. | All gates close 15 minutes before closing. Sunday is listed as closed. |
| CF&I Recycling Denver | 5601 York St, Denver, CO 80216. Phone listed as 303-295-2911. | Public metal drop-off, roll-off bins, scheduled business pickup and custom scrap management. | Good early weekday option, but verify current receiving details before loading. |
| Iron & Metals Inc. | 5555 Franklin St, Denver, CO 80216. Phone listed as 303-292-5555. | Drop-off recycling, container service, industrial customers, steel, aluminum, copper, insulated wire, brass and stainless. | Receiving hours end earlier than business-office hours. Check receiving cutoff first. |
Denver Scrap Metal Hours: Open Today, Saturday and Gate-Close Rules
Scrap yards are not simple recycling bins. You need time to enter, weigh in, unload, have material inspected, weigh out, receive a ticket and complete payment. Gate-close and scale-close rules matter more than a generic “open now” label.
| Yard | Weekday Hours | Saturday | Sunday / Holiday Notes | Practical Arrival Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlas Metal Denver | Monday–Friday 7:00 AM–4:00 PM | 8:00 AM–11:30 AM | Verify holidays directly. | Official page lists weekday gate close at 3:40 PM and Saturday gate close at 11:30 AM. |
| All Recycling North Denver | Metals hours Monday–Friday 8:00 AM–5:00 PM | Metals hours 8:00 AM–2:00 PM | Closed for listed major holidays. | Do not confuse earlier trash hours with metals buying hours. |
| Denver Metal Recycling | Monday–Friday 7:30 AM–5:00 PM | 8:00 AM–2:00 PM | Sunday closed. | All gates close 15 minutes prior, so plan your last load accordingly. |
| CF&I Recycling Denver | Monday–Friday 6:00 AM–4:00 PM | 7:00 AM–3:00 PM | Sunday closed. | Useful for early starts; call for current receiving details. |
| Iron & Metals Inc. | Receiving hours Monday–Friday 8:00 AM–4:00 PM | Closed | Saturday and Sunday closed. | Business hours extend to 4:30 PM, but receiving is listed to 4:00 PM. |
First-Time Seller Flow: What Happens at the Scrap Yard
If you have never sold scrap before, the process may feel confusing. Most yards follow a similar pattern, but every yard has its own traffic pattern, scale lane, unloading area and payment process.
- Enter the correct lane. Look for public scale, nonferrous area, ferrous scale, office or receiving signs. If unsure, stop and ask instead of blocking a truck lane.
- Weigh in or unload by category. Heavy steel may go over a vehicle scale. Copper, brass, aluminum and batteries may be weighed separately on a smaller scale.
- Let staff grade the material. The yard may downgrade dirty brass, mixed wire, painted copper, attached steel, plastic-covered aluminum or contaminated appliances.
- Show ID and answer ownership questions. Be ready for photo ID, vehicle details and proof that the material is yours or from an authorized job.
- Review the ticket before leaving. Check material description, gross/tare/net weight, grade, unit price and payment method.
Denver Scrap Metal Pay Rates: Why Prices Change and How to Ask Correctly
Do not trust a fixed Denver scrap price table unless the yard confirms it directly. Scrap metal pay rates can change with commodity markets, grade, mill demand, contamination, weight, trucking cost, yard inventory, season and whether your load is sorted or mixed.
| Material | Why the Rate Changes | How to Ask the Yard | Sorting Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bare bright copper | Usually high value but must be clean and correctly graded. | Ask for today’s bare bright copper rate and minimum quantity. | Keep it separate from #1 copper, #2 copper, insulated wire and brass. |
| Copper pipe / tubing | Value depends on solder, paint, fittings, corrosion and contamination. | Ask for #1 versus #2 copper pipe grading. | Remove brass valves, steel attachments and plastic where safe. |
| Insulated copper wire | Rate depends on copper recovery percentage and wire type. | Ask how they grade insulated wire and whether stripping helps. | Separate thick wire, extension cords and low-grade communication wire. |
| Brass | Yellow brass, red brass, dirty brass and plumbing brass may price differently. | Ask for yellow brass, red brass and dirty brass rates separately. | Remove steel, plastic, rubber and non-brass attachments. |
| Aluminum | Cans, wheels, siding, extrusions, sheet and cast aluminum are different grades. | Ask for clean wheel, extrusion, cast and mixed aluminum rates. | Keep cans separate from cast, wheels and dirty sheet. |
| Stainless steel | Grade, nickel content and magnet response can change value. | Ask if they test stainless and how they grade 304/316 or mixed stainless. | Keep stainless apart from regular steel and aluminum. |
| Steel / sheet iron | Often lower per-pound value and may be quoted by ton instead of pound. | Ask for prepared steel, unprepared steel and appliance pricing. | Remove trash, wood, plastic and sealed containers. |
| Catalytic converters | Value depends on vehicle, serial number, condition, metals content and documentation. | Call first and ask ID, ownership and payment requirements. | Do not bring suspicious, cut-off or undocumented converters. |
Denver Scrap Payout Estimate Tool: Use Your Yard’s Quoted Rate
This is not a live Denver price tool. Enter the weight and the rate the yard quotes you. The result helps you decide whether the trip is worth fuel, time, unloading effort and possible deductions.
Accepted Scrap Metal Items in Denver: What Yards Commonly Buy
Accepted materials vary by yard, but Denver scrap yards commonly handle ferrous and nonferrous metals. Ferrous metal usually sticks to a magnet and includes iron and steel. Nonferrous metal usually does not stick to a magnet and includes copper, brass, aluminum, lead, zinc and some alloys.
Quick Magnet Test Before You Leave Home
Use a small magnet at home. If it sticks strongly, the item is probably steel or iron. If it does not stick, it may be aluminum, copper, brass, stainless or another nonferrous metal. This test is only a starting point; the yard’s inspection and scale ticket decide the grade.
What Pays Most at a Denver Scrap Yard?
Clean nonferrous metals usually pay more than mixed steel, but the final answer depends on today’s market and the yard’s grade. The same copper pipe can pay differently if it has solder, paint, brass fittings, steel attached or mixed contamination.
| Higher-Value Category | Why It Can Pay Better | How to Protect Value |
|---|---|---|
| Clean copper | High recoverable copper content and strong market demand. | Separate bare bright, #1, #2 and insulated copper before arrival. |
| Brass | Contains copper and zinc; clean grade can outperform mixed metal. | Remove steel screws, plastic, rubber and non-brass attachments. |
| Aluminum wheels | Often cleaner and more valuable than mixed aluminum when prepared. | Ask whether tires, weights and valve stems must be removed. |
| Insulated copper wire | Value depends on copper recovery percentage. | Separate heavy wire from low-grade cords and data cable. |
| Stainless / alloys | Nickel and alloy content may add value. | Keep stainless separate and ask whether the yard tests with an analyzer. |
| Lead-acid batteries | Lead content has recycle value, but handling rules matter. | Keep batteries upright, do not leak acid, and ask whether the yard buys them. |
Clean vs Dirty Scrap: Small Sorting Fixes That Can Improve the Quote
Many pay-rate problems happen because a seller thinks they have one grade, but the yard sees a mixed or contaminated grade. Sorting before you arrive can reduce arguing, speed up unloading and help staff grade the load more accurately.
| Scrap Type | Cleaner Load Looks Like | Dirty / Lower-Value Problem | Practical Fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copper pipe | Pipe separated from brass valves, steel, plastic and heavy solder. | Mixed plumbing parts, paint, steel clamps and rubber attached. | Cut or remove attachments where safe and legal. |
| Brass | Yellow brass separated from red brass and dirty fixtures. | Steel screws, plastic handles, rubber hoses and mixed faucets. | Use a magnet and separate clean brass from dirty brass. |
| Aluminum wheels | Wheels without tires and with minimal non-aluminum attachments. | Tires, wheel weights, valve stems or mixed steel wheels. | Ask the yard whether tire removal is required before loading. |
| Insulated wire | Separated by thickness and copper recovery percentage. | Mixed cords, holiday lights, coax, low-grade cable and trash in the same bin. | Separate thick copper wire from low-grade wire before arrival. |
| Steel | Prepared steel separated from appliances, sealed tanks and trash. | Wood, plastic, dirt, rubber, oil, sealed containers or mixed waste. | Remove nonmetal debris and call before bringing tanks. |
Rejected Loads, Restricted Items and Common Denver Scrap Mistakes
Scrap yards reject loads for safety, legal and processing reasons. A load may look like “metal” to you but still be unsafe, restricted, contaminated, stolen-looking or not worth processing.
| Problem Item | Why It May Be Rejected | What to Do Instead |
|---|---|---|
| Closed tanks or sealed cylinders | Explosion or pressure risk if contents are unknown. | Call first; ask for tank preparation, valve removal or approved disposal route. |
| Freon appliances | Refrigerant handling may require certified recovery before scrap value. | Ask whether the yard accepts fridges, freezers, AC units and dehumidifiers. |
| Hazardous waste mixed with metal | Paint, chemicals, batteries, oils or mercury can create worker and pollution risk. | Use Denver or county hazardous-waste guidance for chemicals and unsafe materials. |
| Suspicious utility material | Wire, manhole covers, signs, rails, guardrails or public infrastructure can trigger theft-control concerns. | Bring proof of ownership, job documentation or contractor authorization. |
| Trash-filled appliances | Extra labor and disposal cost reduce value and may cause rejection. | Empty appliances, remove food, fluids, trash and nonmetal debris. |
| Commercial loads without appointment | Large trailers, pallets, bins or contractor loads may need different receiving lanes. | Call for roll-off, container, pickup or business account options. |
Colorado Scrap Metal ID, Seller Records and Payment Rules
Selling commodity metal is not the same as dropping bottles into a bin. Colorado law can require the buyer to keep a transaction book or register, record seller identification and identity-verification method, collect a signed affidavit, record vehicle or conveyance details, and document the date, place, description and quantity of metal purchased.
Colorado law also allows cash for certain commodity-metal or detached catalytic-converter transactions of $300 or less. If the transaction is more than $300, payment generally must be by check unless a photo-payment process is used.
Appliances, AC Units, Refrigerators and Freon: Call Before Loading
Appliances are a common Denver scrap question, but they are not all the same. A washer, dryer, oven or water heater may be simpler than a refrigerator, freezer, air conditioner or dehumidifier because refrigerant-containing appliances can require special handling.
Before hauling appliances, ask the yard whether it accepts the exact appliance, whether refrigerant recovery documentation is required, whether a fee applies, whether plastic/glass must be removed, and whether you should use Denver’s large-item pickup instead of a scrap yard.
Catalytic Converters, Batteries and Auto Scrap: Extra Caution
Auto-related scrap can pay well, but it often has extra rules. Catalytic converters are theft-sensitive. Lead-acid batteries require safe handling. Scrap vehicles may require title, ownership documentation or specific yard instructions.
If your load is mostly electronics, computers, monitors, TVs, chargers or lithium battery devices, use an electronics-specific route instead of treating it like simple scrap metal.
Commercial Scrap, Roll-Off Containers and Business Pickup
If you have ongoing scrap from a shop, job site, warehouse, apartment cleanout or demolition project, a public scale visit may not be the best workflow. Several Denver-area yards advertise container, transportation, logistics, scheduled pickup or roll-off options.
Before-You-Go Checklist for Denver Scrap Metal Drop-Off
- Sort by metal type. Keep copper, brass, aluminum, stainless, steel, wire, batteries and electronics separate.
- Call for today’s rate. Ask for the exact grade: bare bright copper, #1 copper, yellow brass, aluminum wheels, sheet aluminum, stainless or prepared steel.
- Check hours and gate cutoff. Use the yard’s current receiving hours, not just a map’s “open now” label.
- Bring photo ID. Be ready for seller records, vehicle details, payment rules and ownership questions.
- Remove nonmetal contamination. Trash, wood, plastic, rubber, food waste, chemicals, oil and closed containers can lower value or cause rejection.
- Photograph unusual items. Send photos before loading tanks, large appliances, catalytic converters, industrial scrap or mixed contractor loads.
- Secure your load. Tie down appliances, pipe, sheet metal and loose scrap so it does not shift or fall on I-25, I-70, Washington St, York St, Ivy St or Umatilla.
- Review the scale ticket. Check material grade, weight, unit price and payment method before leaving.
Official Denver Scrap Metal Sources and Action Links
Use these official yard pages for final verification. This article explains the decision process, but the yard’s own page or phone quote should decide today’s hours, pay rates, material grade and acceptance.
City Recycling vs Private Scrap Yard: Do Not Mix These Routes
Denver city recycling is for normal residential recycling, compost, e-cycle coupons, household hazardous waste and city service requests. Private scrap yards buy metal by weight and grade. If you want payment for copper, brass, aluminum, steel or wire, a private scrap yard is the right path. If you have normal household recycling, hazardous waste, TVs, monitors or city large-item pickup, use the Denver city route.
Denver Scrap Metal Recycling Center Map
This map uses a broad Denver scrap metal search because users may choose different yards depending on location, item type, rate quote, gate cutoff and business needs. Use the map for directions only; use the official yard page for current hours and pay-rate decisions.
Independent guide note: Recycling-Centre.org is not the official website for Atlas Metal & Iron, All Recycling, Denver Metal Recycling, CF&I Recycling, Iron & Metals Inc., the City and County of Denver, or the State of Colorado. Scrap prices, hours, gate-close times, accepted materials, ID rules and payment processes can change. Verify directly before loading metal.
Frequently Asked Questions About Denver Scrap Metal Recycling
Which Denver scrap metal recycling center is open Saturday?
Atlas, All Recycling, Denver Metal Recycling and CF&I list Saturday hours, but times and gate-close rules differ. Iron & Metals lists Saturday closed. Verify current hours before driving.
Do Denver scrap yards publish live pay rates?
Some yards provide quotes or price guidance, but online rates can become outdated quickly. Call the yard with your metal type, grade, approximate weight and photos if you expect a meaningful quote.
What scrap metal usually pays the most in Denver?
Clean copper, brass, clean aluminum wheels, insulated copper wire, stainless/alloys, lead-acid batteries and documented catalytic converters often pay more than mixed steel. The final grade and rate are decided by the yard.
Can I get cash for scrap metal in Denver?
Colorado law permits cash for certain commodity-metal or detached catalytic-converter transactions of $300 or less. Transactions over $300 generally require check unless a photo-payment process is used. Yards may also have their own procedures.
Do I need ID to sell scrap metal in Colorado?
Expect to show valid identification and provide seller/vehicle information. Colorado commodity-metal rules require buyers to keep records identifying sellers and materials.
Will scrap yards take refrigerators or air conditioners?
Maybe, but call first. Refrigerators, freezers, AC units and dehumidifiers may involve refrigerant handling. Some yards accept them with conditions; others may charge or reject them.
Can I sell catalytic converters in Denver?
Some yards may buy catalytic converters, but expect stricter ID, ownership and payment checks. Do not bring suspicious, undocumented or cut-off converters without calling first.
Should I strip copper wire before selling it?
Not always. Stripping can raise grade but takes time and may not be worth it for low-grade wire. Ask the yard for insulated wire and stripped copper rates before doing the labor.
Are Denver scrap yards the same as city recycling?
No. Private scrap yards buy metal by weight and grade. City recycling handles household recyclables and city services. Use the correct route for metal, large items, hazardous waste and electronics.
What should I do if a yard rejects my scrap load?
Ask why it was rejected, then separate contamination, remove unsafe items, get refrigerant or hazardous-waste guidance, or use city large-item pickup when the item is not a scrap-yard fit.
Is Recycling-Centre.org an official Denver scrap yard?
No. This is an independent informational guide. Always verify hours, rates, accepted items, ID rules and payment details with the official scrap yard or government page before visiting.
Final Summary: Best Way to Sell Scrap Metal in Denver
The smartest Denver scrap trip starts before you load the truck. Sort your metals, call for today’s grade-specific rate, confirm public receiving hours, check gate-close rules, bring ID and arrive early enough to unload safely.
Use Atlas, All Recycling, Denver Metal Recycling, CF&I, Iron & Metals, or another Denver-area yard based on your item type, location, quote and load size. Do not rely on a random “open now” label or old pay-rate post when copper, brass, aluminum and steel prices can change quickly.