Drug Take-Back 

Medication Disposal Drop BoxesMedication Drug Drop Off Boxes

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office has installed four safe disposal sites for residents to drop off unused or expired household medications. Secure medication drop boxes are now available at the following locations:

Drop boxes are the best option for families and individuals to dispose of potentially harmful medications safely. Prescription, over-the-counter, and vitamins can be disposed of in the drop box. However, Sharps items, chemotherapy medication, and marijuana products may not be disposed of in drop boxes. Healthcare facility waste is also not permitted.

The average American household contains four pounds of prescription and over-the-counter medications. This excess of medications enables opportunities for misuse and abuse, which can have grave consequences. If medication is taken incorrectly or by people, it was not intended for, it could even lead to death.

The Sheriff’s Office obtained its drop boxes through the Colorado Household Medication Take-Back Program, administered by the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE). Medication collected in the boxes is securely packaged and shipped off-site, where it is converted to renewable energy. 

Use this interactive map to find take-back locations that participate in the state program.

See What You Can and Can’t Drop Off

Safely disposing of unused and expired medications is one of the most important things you can do to keep them from falling into the wrong hands. Here's what you need to know about what kind of meds you can take back. Watch the video below to see what you can drop off or read the list below.



  1. Bloody or Infectious Waste

Soiled bandages, dressings and disposable sheets should be placed in securely fastened plastic bags before being placed in household trash. Trash containing these potentially infectious wastes should be stored out of the reach of children and pets until it can be picked up or taken to a landfill.

  1. Chemotherapy Drugs
  1. Empty Containers
  1. Household Needles/Sharps
  1. Illicit Drugs
  1. Marijuana 
  1. Medical Tools and Supplies
  1. Personal Care Products
  1. Thermometers and Other Mercury-Containing Devices

National Drug Take-Back

The next nationwide Drug Take-Back Day is Oct. 28, 2023

Twice a year, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office joins law enforcement agencies nationwide to remove potentially dangerous controlled substances from our nation’s medicine cabinets. Drug Take-Back Day provides an opportunity for the public to surrender expired, unwanted, or unused pharmaceutical controlled substances and other medications for destruction. These drugs are a potential supply source for illegal use and an unacceptable risk to public health and safety.  The DEA holds the National Drug Take-Back events in April and October of each year.

Facts About the Event

This one-day effort is intended to bring national focus to the issue of increasing pharmaceutical-controlled substance abuse.

  • The program is anonymous
  • Prescription and over-the-counter solid dosage medications, (tablets and capsules) are accepted
  • Intravenous solutions, injectables, needles, and oxygen containers will not be accepted
  • Illicit substances such as marijuana or methamphetamine are not a part of this initiative
  • The prescriptions should be removed from the original containers and placed in a plastic bag prior to dropping off