Quick answer: In Denver, the property owner is responsible. The Office of the City Forester states that owners must clean up debris from trees on their private property and from trees in the public right-of-way next to their property. The city steps in only when a fallen tree or limb has to be cleared from a street, and it can bill the owner for that work.
After a heavy snow, half the block is asking the same question. This guide sets out who handles what. If you want the work done for you, see storm damage tree cleanup in Denver.
Who is responsible in each case?
| Where the branch came down | Who deals with it |
|---|---|
| From your tree, in your yard | You |
| From the right-of-way tree in front of your property | You, as the adjoining owner |
| Blocking a public street | Call 311. The city may clear it and bill the responsible owner |
| From a tree in a city park | The city |
| On or touching a power line | Xcel Energy first |
The rules are on the city’s Storms and Tree Damage page.
What is the public right-of-way?
For most homes it is the strip between the sidewalk and the street. The trees there are regulated by the city, but the owner of the adjoining property is responsible for looking after them, and that includes cleaning up after a storm.
What does the city do?
- Streets. If a fallen tree or branch has to be removed immediately to clear a street, call 311 with the address. The city assesses it and can remove it, with the cost billed to the responsible property owner.
- Non-emergencies. If a limb is not blocking a street or the right-of-way, the owner may be given 24 hours to do the work or hire a contractor. If the city’s on-call contractor does it, the owner is billed.
- Disposal. The city runs a branch drop-off and collects a limited number of bundled branches. See where to take tree branches in Denver.
The city also asks residents not to move branches onto parkways or other public areas.
What about a neighbor’s tree?
Branches that land on your property are, in practice, yours to clear. If a neighbor’s tree has damaged your house, insurance decides who pays, and it is usually your own policy. See a neighbor’s tree fell on your property: who pays?
What should you do first after a storm?
- Check for wires. If a branch is on a power line, stay away and see who to call for a tree on a power line.
- Look up. Broken limbs still hanging in the tree are the main danger.
- Clear sidewalks and driveways of small branches you can handle safely.
- Leave large and hanging limbs to a crew.
Before the next storm, see how to protect trees from heavy snow in Denver. Whether the damaged tree can be kept is covered in can a storm-damaged tree be saved? If a tree is on your house or blocking your driveway, see emergency tree removal.
Fallen branch FAQs
Will the city pick up fallen branches in Denver?
Only in a limited way. The city collects a set number of bundled branches with large item pickup and runs a drop-off site. Cleaning up the branches themselves is the property owner’s job.
Who cleans up branches from the tree between the sidewalk and the street?
The owner of the adjoining property. Denver makes owners responsible for debris from right-of-way trees next to their property.
Who do I call about a tree blocking the street in Denver?
Call 311 and give the address. The city will assess it and prioritize removal, and the cost can be billed to the responsible property owner.
