The annual citywide spring cleanup will begin Monday and continue through May 5. Residents will have the opportunity to dispose of designated items at no cost.

Crews will circulate through Durango’s residential neighborhoods to pick up furniture, large appliances, scrap metal, drywall, fencing, carpet, tile, open dried paint cans, tree trimmings and branches less than 8 feet in length and 8 inches in diameter, and containers of brush and leaves.

Pickups will occur:

April 10-14, areas south of 15th Street and west of Ninth Avenue that include residential areas on both sides of U.S. Highway 160 within city limits. April 17-21, areas north of 15th Street to the northern-most parts of the city limits on both sides of Main Avenue and the Animas City area. April 24-28, the west-side subdivisions, including the Crestview, Needham, Rockridge and Junction Street areas. May 1-5, the east-side subdivisions, including the Riverview, North College Drive, Hillcrest and SkyRidge areas. Curbside service is available during designated pickup times for city residents only. Crews will not return to a designated pickup area once collection is complete.

Residents are asked to place materials in alleyways or next to the curb in areas without alleyways for collection. Piles of yard waste should be separated from scrap metal, and trash should be secured in trash cans to avoid harming wildlife.

Residents are also asked to keep items for cleanup away from roads and sidewalks and at least 2 feet from fences, trees, bushes, gas meters, hydrants, power poles and connection boxes because of the heavy equipment used to load waste into trucks.

Piles will remain at their original location if they cannot be safely picked up.

For more information, call 375-4903 or visit www.durangogov.org/cleanup.

fstone@durangoherald.com