How Much Does It Cost to Clear Land in Denver? [2025 Data]

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Cost Insights
  • Land clearing in Denver costs 21% less than the national average.

  • Denver’s rocky soil can make land clearing challenging, but its high plains region means you’re less likely to have to pay more for clearing trees.

  • Smaller projects cost less than larger projects, but your specific terrain can impact the cost.

  • Clearing your land and adding landscaping features can lead to an ROI of 217%.

Clearing land in Denver costs anywhere from $1,365 to $4,729, with an average of $2,967. While Denver’s soil can be a challenge for land-clearing enthusiasts, the high plains city is a great location for clearing unwanted vegetation and increasing one’s curb appeal and usable property. This guide breaks down how factors like labor, acreage, dumpster rentals, and more can influence your costs.

Land Clearing Cost Factors 

You can calculate land clearing costs in Denver, Colorado, by looking at the number of acres, land condition, dumpster rental size, and existing structures. 

Land Size

Most projects are priced per half-acre or per acre and take into account the level of vegetation and trees to be cleared.

Average Cost to Clear a Half-Acre of Land

The cost per half-acre is $200 to $2,200. This is only for your basic clearing of trees, brush, and other debris. To get your lot ready for building, there are additional expenses for services, including topsoil stripping, landscape grading, digging, hauling yard waste, and otherwise prepping the land.

Land Clearing Cost per Acre

The cost per acre to clear land is $400 to $4,400. The price accounts for the range of vegetation that will need to be removed, as well as the intended use for the lot.

AcreageCost to Clear Land
1$400–$4,400
2$800–$8,800
3$1,200–$13,300
4$1,600–$17,700
5$2,000–$22,100

Type of Removal

For undeveloped land, a good portion of your total will go toward removing trees, stumps, brush, and overgrowth. The total for this portion of the job could fall anywhere between $150 and $4,400, depending on what you need your pros to remove.

Removal TypeAverage Cost
Tree removal$400–$1,600 per acre
Brush removal$15–$150 per acre
Stump removal$75–$125 per stump
Large rock removal$525–$950 per acre
Small rock removal$90–$125 per hour
Waste removal$100–$300
Angi Tip

Tree removal poses significant risks, especially when cutting down large trees. To ensure your safety, hire a professional tree removal service and maintain a safe distance from the fall zone during the operation.

Kaitlyn Pacheco
Content Editor, Angi

Land Condition

One of the most crucial factors to consider when estimating land clearing costs is the condition of your land. Light brush will cost the least to clear, while densely forested plots and those with large boulders scattered throughout will cost significantly more. The slope of your land also plays a role since a steep plot could prevent your professionals from using heavy machinery that speeds up the job.

AcreageCost to Clear Lightly Forested LotsCost to Clear Densely Forested Lots
1/2$200–$800$1,400–$2,200
1$400–$1,600$2,800–$4,400
2$800–$3,200$5,700–$8,800
3$1,200–$4,700$8,500–$13,300
4$1,600–$6,300$11,400–$17,700
5$2,000–$7,900$14,200–$22,100

Dumpster Rental

5 common dumpster sizes illustrated and compared, with a 30-yard dumpster measuring 6 feet tall with a capacity from 7,000 to 10,000 lbs

You may need to rent a dumpster while clearing land in Denver. Anticipate costs between $175 and $625, depending on the dumpster's size.

Dumpster SizeMaximum Weight (tons)Cost
10 yards2–3$175–$450
20 yards2–3$225–$550
40 yards5–6$275–$625

Existing Home or Structure

Is there a shed, pool house, or an even larger old structure in the way? Demolition costs can change the whole ball game, adding between $3 and $13 per square foot for the job. You may also need to check for underground electrical and gas lines before proceeding. 

Land Clearing Pro Costs

Hiring a land clearing pro in Denver costs between $85 and $200 per hour. For the most thorough job, you’ll want to hire a land clearing expert who is licensed and insured. 

Permits

Forestry work in Denver has a fee of $35, but permits vary by the extent of the land clearing project. Check with Denver Parks and Recreation to see their full forestry fee schedule, or ask your pro for a breakdown of permit costs.

Taxes

With a high sales tax of 9.15%, you’ll spend $270 extra in sales tax for your average land clearing project in Denver. 

Tipping

Though totally optional and not expected, you can tip your pro anywhere from 5% to 15% of the cost of the project to show your appreciation for a job well done. 

Additional Pros to Consider Hiring

If you have an extensive project, consider budgeting for labor costs involved with these additional jobs:

Does Clearing Land Increase Home Value?

Clearing land is the first step in developing your property. If you plan on selling your home, clearing the land alone can appeal to buyers who don’t want to pay to clear the land themselves. However, if you also take steps to add landscaping and attractive features like hardscaping, a deck, a patio, or decorations to your yard, you could see an ROI of up to 217%. 

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.

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