• Composting is a powerful way to turn everyday food scraps into something truly valuable: healthy soil that helps Cloud City Farm grow fresh vegetables for Leadville’s community. We’re creating nutrient-rich compost right here in Leadville—closing the loop from food to soil to food again.

• Composting also keeps organic waste out of our rapidly filling Lake County  landfill. Food scraps don’t break down properly in our landfill because there isn’t enough oxygen for beneficial microbes to thrive. Instead of turning into soil, they decompose anaerobically and release methane, a potent greenhouse gas. By composting, we reduce these emissions and help protect our mountain environment.

• There’s also a practical benefit: landfill costs. In Lake County, each yellow bag sent to the landfill costs money. About one-third of what we throw away could be composted, which means composting saves residents money while extending the life of our landfill.

• In short: composting builds soil, reduces waste, cuts greenhouse gas emissions, and supports a more resilient local food system. Win, win, win.

Getting started is easy:

1. Sign up for the compost program ($5/month suggested donation).

2. Set up a kitchen bucket at home and add food scraps daily.

3. Bring your bucket to Cloud City Farm (440 McWethy Drive) once it’s full.

4. Dump food scraps into the Earth Tub compost system (look for tub with green OPEN sign).

5. Add mulch! Use a shovel to add twice as much mulch as food scraps. Mulch is located in black trash cans near compost tubs.

6. Close Lid. Make sure to close the lid once you're done. 

*This 1:2 food scraps-to-mulch ratio (1 part food scraps, 2 parts mulch) is essential to maintain the right temperature and oxygen levels so microbes can thrive and quickly turn scraps into rich, healthy soil.

Times: Compost drop-off is available 24/7! Please note - winter conditions may exist, and dropoff is at your own risk.

Location: Cloud City Farm - 440 McWethy Drive - across from the Community Field and just below the Mineral Belt and LCHS. You’ll see our big compost tubs at the end of the gravel driveway on the Northern end of the farm.

If you have questions or would like support, email liz@c4leadville.org. We also plan to offer regular orientation hours. Stay tuned for details about dates and times!

We accept common food scraps, including:

• Fruits and vegetables (without stickers)

• Eggshells

• Coffee grounds & filters

• Tea bags (no plastic)

• Grains, bread, and rice

• When in doubt, think: Was it once food or part of a plant?

To keep our system healthy and wildlife-safe, please do not compost:

• Meat or fish

• Bones

• Dairy products

• BPI-certified compostable plates, cups, or utensils

• Yard waste

• Anything frozen

These items break down differently and can disrupt the composting process at the farm.

Additional Tips —

• Remove stickers

• Chop up large items

• Don’t add anything frozen

• Our compost program is a community service, but it’s also real work. Collecting, managing, and maintaining compost requires staff time, equipment, organization, and ongoing oversight to ensure the system runs safely and effectively.

• Program fees help cover these costs and directly support Cloud City Farm’s ability to grow and thrive. Every dollar goes back into farm operations, soil health, and food access for the community. By participating, you’re not just composting—you’re investing in local agriculture and climate solutions.

C4’s suggested donation of $5/month is intentionally affordable and community-focused. For comparison:

• Elements Mountain Compost (Chaffee County): $32/month

• Vail: $8/month

• Boulder: $20/month

To help keep composting accessible while still supporting the true cost of the service, we offer:

• Discounts of 50%-100% to anyone who needs

• The opportunity to give the gift of compost and cover another household’s costs

• Anyone in Lake County who eats food can compost! Whether you’re a household, renter, homeowner, or community member passionate about reducing waste—this program is for you.

• Sign up today and be part of Leadville’s composting community.

At this time, our compost program is limited to residential participants only. Unfortunately, we don’t yet have the capacity to accept the larger volumes of food waste generated by restaurants, schools, or other businesses.

That said, we hear the need, and we’re actively working on it. C4 is exploring a future large-scale Lake County commercial composting program in collaboration with Elements Mountain Compost in Salida. If you’re interested in participating once this service becomes available, we’d love to hear from you.

Please reach out to isabel@c4leadville.org to let us know you’re interested and to stay in the loop as this program develops.

Thanks for your enthusiasm for composting and supporting a more sustainable Lake County!

C4 offers finished compost at pay-what-you can prices. Suggested donation $3-5 per gallon bucket. Make your donation here.

The Compost & Soil Bank is self-serve and open 24/7; just look for the donation box and pile of compost along the Cloud City Farm driveway (440 McWethy Drive).

BYOB—please bring your own bucket to fill up!