Denver metro homeowners often debate bin service frequency only after a bad smell week. This short quiz is a reading exercise — answer from the last two pickup cycles on your block, then read the section that matches your dominant pattern. It focuses on odor return speed, larvae sightings, and HOA pressure rather than alley layout alone.
Question 1: smell return speed. A) Within one to two days in heat. B) Only when compost is heavy that week. C) Mostly when lids stay closed in full sun. D) Rarely; you want prevention before guests arrive.
Question 2: what you saw. A) Maggots or flies at the lid line after a hot week. B) Sticky recycle residue only on the blue cart. C) Grime on handles and hinges neighbors might see. D) Nothing visible; you want a scheduled refresh.
Question 3: who notices first. A) You at the alley when lifting the lid. B) HOA or townhome board photos of the row. C) House sitter or tenant texting from a rental. D) Only you before a party or family visit.
Question 4: budget fit. A) One deep clean before a busy stretch, then decide. B) Steady monthly through summer, lighter in winter. C) Bi-monthly because carts sit in afternoon sun. D) Quarterly with good bag habits most of the year.
Mostly A: act on speed. Fast odor return and maggots point toward monthly or bi-monthly residential service on the streams that soil fastest. Read why smell returns fast and schedule after city trash day. Film this established needs a reset, not repeated alley rinses.
Mostly B: split streams. Recycle and compost often need different cadence than trash. Enroll bins separately on per-bin pricing. See recycle stream film and compost cart film.
Mostly C: presentation pressure. HOA sight lines fit recurring service on street-visible carts even when smell is mild. Review HOA and townhome bins and alley placement in heat.
Mostly D: seasonal bumps. Quarterly or seasonal plans may suffice with strong habits. Add an on-demand visit before holidays or bump to bi-monthly for peak summer only. For a different decision frame, see bin service priority quiz.
Call 303-805-3600 or use contact with your quiz tally, bin count, trash day, and alley or curb notes. Send lid and hinge photos when access is tight — we confirm routing from Golden before you enroll.