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Writer's pictureThe DEN Collaborative

River Walkin' | Trash Pickin'

It all started in 2020. Since we wanted to social distance as much as possible, we aimed our outdoor adventures off the beaten path. And by that, I mean - the side of the road. We pulled off on a curve on the side of Hwy 119, near a beaten-down old bridge for a picnic one day and the sight of the river up close and slowed down nearly broke our hearts.


The dams and edges of the water were littered with cups, styrofoam coolers, tires, and bits and pieces of colorful trash everywhere. Cigarette butts and broken bottles of vodka sprinkled the gravel pull-off. We had been craving nature and the feeling of doing something useful, so we noted where we were and vowed to return with supplies.


clean river with trees surrounding it and a blue sky peeking through the trees

And that was how it all began. We just started picking it up, one piece at a time. Hundreds of bags of garbage later, the river up and down Highway 119 no longer looks like a casino wristband graveyard.


We tipped the garbage men on our street heavily to make sure all the bags got picked up until Dad found someone with a dumpster they could volunteer for the cause. (Speaking of which, if you're reading this and want to donate something other than your time to our project, please reach out!)


Over time, we've expanded our mission into the rivers flowing through Denver and are always looking for new spots to clean up!



Our theory is that after cleanup, when there is no longer lots of litter present, maybe folks will think twice before tossing their trash. "It looks like everyone else throws their stuff on the ground here. I might as well do it too" is NOT the message we want our city or mountains to be sending. Instead, we hope to inspire folks to pack out their trash and while there isn't much we can do about company trash overflow (like that of the casinos), each individual can make a difference!


Last month's river cleanup was so rewarding and a great time! It has become so obvious that each volunteer brings to the table their individual strengths. Some of us comb the hillsides and banks for dry trash or pick bits of plastic out of the natural filtration systems (dams). Some of us are into getting out the big, weird items - like tires, cot springs, and water heaters. Other volunteers prefer to tread through the water for trapped styrofoam and aluminum that has become part of the riverbed over time. Each person follows their instincts and does what they most enjoy.


Do you want to spend some time outside, cleaning up the place you call home? Are you looking for a place to volunteer in Denver?

Join us on the last Saturday of the month (from Spring to Fall) to make a small difference in the world and the world of a difference in your mental health!!

A group of people smile at the camera and hold up thrumbs up and peace signs. They are in front of a river with lots of trees and one of them is holding a bucket of trash!

Please text or call Megan at 720-806-6708 for more information or sign up for our monthly newsletter for direct invites.


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