Love Stops Litter

Litter prevention is one of the easiest things we can do to keep Colorado clean. But it takes all of us doing our part. Here are little things we can all do to Keep Colorado Beautiful! 

Keep Colorado Beautiful is actively seeking partners in every region of Colorado to help design, implement, and scale this program.

Your Questions, Answered

DID YOU KNOW?

A recent Keep America Beautiful litter study estimates that there are nearly 50 billion pieces of litter along America’s roads and waterways. That’s 152 pieces of litter for every U.S. resident! 

Litter in Colorado can end up in waterways, impacting not only our city but neighboring states, rivers and even our oceans. 

  • LOVE STOPS LITTER is a bold public education campaign designed to prevent litter before it starts.

    It builds on the energy of LOVE 5280 by expanding the message statewide. While LOVE 5280 mobilizes communities through cleanup and beautification, LOVE STOPS LITTER focuses on the behaviors that reduce litter at its source.

    This is not just about picking it up.
    This is about stopping it from happening.

    Through partnerships with schools, municipalities, businesses, and transportation agencies, we inspire everyday habits that protect Colorado’s streets, highways, rivers, parks, and open spaces.

  • A national Keep America Beautiful study estimates there are nearly 50 billion pieces of litter along America’s roads and waterways. That equals more than 150 pieces for every person in the United States.

    In Colorado, litter impacts:

    • Wildlife and natural habitats
    • Waterways and storm drains
    • Tourism and outdoor recreation
    • Public safety along highways
    • Community pride and property values

    Litter does not stay where it falls. Trash left on streets and highways can move into streams, rivers, and eventually across state lines. Protecting Colorado starts with prevention.

    Love is not passive. Love protects.

  • Small daily habits create measurable change. Here are simple ways every Coloradan can lead:

    • Bag Loose Trash
    Secure trash before placing it in your cart and avoid overfilling. Wind and wildlife quickly spread unsecured materials into neighborhoods and open spaces.

    • Pick Up One Piece
    On your next walk, trail run, or park visit, pick up one piece of litter and dispose of it properly. If everyone did, visible litter would drop dramatically.

    • Secure Your Load
    Hauling furniture, landscaping debris, or construction materials? Use straps or tarps every time. Unsecured loads are one of the leading causes of roadside litter.

    • Dispose of Cigarette Butts Properly
    Cigarette filters contain plastic and toxic chemicals. Always use proper receptacles and never drop them on the ground.

    • Use Approved Disposal Programs
    Take advantage of local bulk item days and hazardous waste collection programs to prevent illegal dumping.

    • Keep a Litter Bag in Your Vehicle
    Prevent trash from blowing out of cars and trucks by keeping a small trash bag inside your vehicle.

    • Carry It Until You Can Toss It
    If a trash can is not nearby, hold onto your item until you can dispose of it properly.

    Every action reinforces a culture of pride.

  • LOVE STOPS LITTER activates communities statewide through:

    • Public awareness campaigns
    • School based education programs
    • Driver education partnerships
    • Community cleanups and volunteer events
    • Municipal and business collaborations
    • Social media and digital engagement

    This campaign reinforces the culture of LOVE 5280 across the entire state.

  • Keep Colorado Beautiful provides:

    • Educational toolkits and messaging resources
    • School and community presentations
    • Campaign branding for local activation
    • Partnership opportunities for municipalities and businesses
    • Digital graphics and outreach materials
    • Impact tracking and reporting support

    Local partners help deliver the message and model the behavior.

    Together, we shift culture.

  • Each year, LOVE STOPS LITTER aims to:

    • Reduce visible litter in priority corridors and communities
    • Increase awareness of prevention behaviors
    • Strengthen motorist responsibility statewide
    • Support measurable improvements in public spaces
    • Reinforce Colorado’s identity as a state that cares

    LOVE 5280 mobilizes cleanup and beautification.
    LOVE STOPS LITTER prevents it at the source.

    Together, they build a culture where pride is visible and litter is unacceptable.

  • Secure it.
    Carry it.
    Bag it.
    Pick it up.

    Love where you live. Love where you drive. Love Colorado.

    Because love stops litter.