Safe Disposal

Any unused or expired medications should be properly disposed of as soon as possible to reduce the risk of misuse. Safe disposal of medications keeps them from being misused or abused by friends or family. It also helps protect our environment, our wildlife, and our water. To learn more about safe disposal and or how to protect our environment, please visit the Take Meds Seriously site.

Permanent Collection Boxes

Colorado is lucky to have a state-funded medication take back program that provides permanent collection locations. Find a permanent medication take back location in the Tri-County community here. All locations can accept prescribed controlled substances along with other prescribed and over the counter medications.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment also has permanent collection sites. Find one near you here.

Local Take Back Events

Every year, more than 100 Colorado law enforcement agencies participate in the Drug Enforcement Administration's national household medication take back days. Be on the look out for these events or contact your local law enforcement agency to learn about upcoming events in your community. You can get involved too; learn how to start and fund a household medication take back program in your community.

Home Disposal

When you cannot access a take back location, do not flush your medications or give them to family or friends to dispose for you. Instead, follow the steps below to safely dispose of your medications in your household trash:

  1. Remove from the original container. Remove the label or cross out any identifying information on the bottle or packaging.
  2. Mix with something that can not be eaten like kitty litter, coffee grounds, home cleaner, etc.
  3. Place the mixture in a sealable bag, empty can with lid, or other durable container that prevents leakage.
  4. Wrap the container in a newspaper or a plain brown bag to conceal its contents.
  5. Place it in your trash the day your trash is collected.

Safe Needle Disposal

It is also important to dispose of needles properly. They should never be thrown loosely into the trash or a toilet. Use this interactive map to find a needle disposal location in Denver. No location near you? Watch the video below to learn how to make a sharps container at home.