Quick answer
To set up utilities in Denver, start Xcel Energy for electricity and gas online or at 800-895-4999, call Denver Water at 303-893-2444, and confirm your Denver trash cart size: $9, $13, or $21 per month for 35, 65, or 95 gallons, with recycling and compost included. Schedule everything to start the day you get the keys, at least one to two weeks ahead.
Nothing slows a move day like a dark house or a dry tap. Our crews see it every summer: the truck is unloading, and the new owner is on hold with a utility. This guide lists every provider you need in Denver, what each one asks for, and what changes once you move to the suburbs.
1. Denver Utilities Checklist
| Service | Provider in Denver | How to start |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity and natural gas | Xcel Energy | Online Start Service or Transfer Service, or 800-895-4999 |
| Water and sewer | Denver Water | 303-893-2444, weekdays 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. |
| Trash, recycling, compost | City of Denver (eligible homes) | Denver 311 at 720-913-1311 or online |
| Internet | Several private providers | Check availability by address |
Book each start date for the day you receive keys. If you close on a Friday and move on a Saturday, you want power and water on Friday so you can do a walkthrough, run the faucets, and charge your phone.
2. Xcel Energy: Electricity and Gas
Xcel Energy serves Denver and most of the surrounding metro. New customers use the Start Service flow on Xcel's Colorado site, and existing customers moving within the service area use Transfer Service so the old address stops and the new one starts on the dates you choose. You can also call 800-895-4999.
- Set the stop date at the old address for the day after your crew finishes, not before
- Set the start date at the new address for key day
- Ask whether the gas is on, especially in fall and winter, so the furnace works on the first night
- Renters: landlords can set up service ahead of move-in, so ask what is already in place
3. Denver Water
Denver Water starts residential service by phone at 303-893-2444, Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Have four things ready: the service address, your billing address, a phone number, and the start date. Homebuyers can also have the title company submit the change through Denver Water's online portal, which Denver Water asks you to allow up to two business days to process.
Some suburbs have their own water providers. Aurora Water, Castle Rock Water, and many metro districts bill separately, so check the provider for your address if you are moving outside Denver.
4. Denver Trash, Recycling, and Compost
Denver charges for trash by cart size and includes recycling and compost at no added cost. The current rates in the city's rules are:
| Trash cart | Monthly fee | Good fit for |
|---|---|---|
| 35 gallons | $9 | One or two people who recycle and compost |
| 65 gallons | $13 | Most small families |
| 95 gallons | $21 | Larger households |
- Trash and compost are collected weekly
- Recycling (purple cart) takes flattened cardboard, which is where your moving boxes go
- A 95-gallon cart is about 46 inches tall and weighs about 40 pounds empty, so plan garage space
- Large item and appliance pickups are scheduled through Denver 311
City service covers eligible homes, generally single-family houses and smaller multi-unit buildings. Most large apartment and condo communities use private haulers, so ask your property manager.
5. Utilities in the Suburbs
Outside Denver, trash usually runs through an HOA, a metro district, or a private hauler you choose, and water often comes from a city or district utility. In Highlands Ranch, Aurora, and Lakewood, confirm the providers with your HOA or seller before closing. Xcel Energy remains the electric and gas provider for most of the metro.
6. Utility Timing That Protects Move Day
- Two weeks out: schedule Xcel, Denver Water, and internet installs
- One week out: confirm your trash cart size and HOA hauler
- Key day: walk through with lights on, run every faucet, and check the water heater
- Move day: leave utilities on at the old home until the crew is finished
- First week: recycle flattened boxes and book a 311 pickup for anything bulky
Need a full countdown? Our 8-week Denver moving timeline and Colorado new resident DMV checklist cover everything else on the list.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I set up electricity and gas in Denver?
Xcel Energy provides electricity and natural gas to Denver and most of the metro. Use the Start Service option on Xcel Energy's Colorado website, or Transfer Service if you already have an Xcel account, or call 800-895-4999. Schedule the start date for the day you get your keys, not move day, so you have lights and heat when the crew arrives.
How do I start water service with Denver Water?
Call Denver Water at 303-893-2444, Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Have the service address, your billing address, a phone number, and your start date ready. If you are buying a home, your title company can also request the change through Denver Water's online portal, and Denver Water asks for up to two business days.
How much does trash pickup cost in Denver?
Denver's volume-based trash program charges by cart size: $9 per month for a 35-gallon cart, $13 for a 65-gallon cart, and $21 for a 95-gallon cart. Recycling and compost service are included at no extra cost. The fees are set in city rules and can be adjusted after periodic cost studies.
Does Denver pick up compost?
Yes. Compost is part of Denver's trash, recycling, and compost service for eligible homes and is collected weekly along with trash, with no extra charge beyond your trash cart fee.
How do I get rid of moving boxes and old furniture in Denver?
Flattened cardboard moving boxes go in your purple recycling cart. For furniture, mattresses, and other large items, request a large item pickup through Denver 311 at 720-913-1311 or online. Denver also offers appliance pickup by request through 311.
Who handles trash in Denver suburbs like Aurora or Highlands Ranch?
Most suburbs do not run a city trash service like Denver's. Service usually comes through a private hauler chosen by your HOA or metro district, or one you pick yourself. Ask your HOA or property manager before move day so carts are at the curb when you arrive.
Sources
Fees, deadlines, and figures were checked against these sources when this guide was published on June 25, 2026. Agencies update their rules, so confirm anything time-sensitive before you rely on it.
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