Fill-dirt in Boulder, CO

Delivered prices for fill-dirt in Boulder vary by supplier, haul distance, local availability, and load size. Hello Gravel provides real-time, location-specific pricing when you enter your zip code and order details on our site; contact our team at 855-241-8884 or use the online quote tool for an exact delivered price for your address.

Use this quick rule: cubic yards = (square feet x depth in inches) / 324. For 1,000 sq ft you’ll need about 3.1 cy at 1u0022, 6.2 cy at 2u0022, 12.4 cy at 4u0022, and 18.6 cy at 6u0022. Order roughly 10% extra to allow for compaction and grading loss.

Fill-dirt is appropriate for general structural fill and raising grades, but it usually contains fines and clay that hold moisture and can cause frost heave in Boulder’s freeze-thaw climate. Gravel or granular backfill drains better, compacts more predictably, and is typically preferred for footings, drain areas, and around foundation drainage systems; consult project plans or a geotechnical engineer for critical foundation work.

For Boulder, choose fill-dirt that is low in organic material and not overly clay-rich; a well-graded, slightly granular fill that compacts well is best to limit settling and frost movement. If there is any chance of standing water or near-foundation use, prefer granular material or drainage layers in addition to fill-dirt.

You can use fill-dirt to raise grades or level ground, but it is not recommended as a driveway base or primary drainage layer because it won’t shed water or resist freeze-thaw like compacted aggregate. For driveways and drainage trenches in Boulder, contractors usually specify crushed rock or engineered base material rather than fill-dirt.

Hello Gravel’s standard delivery is available in 2+ business days with next-day options for orders placed early, and a 3-ton minimum applies. You may request tailgate spreading at checkout, but drivers perform spreading only at their discretion for safety and equipment reasons; additional fees may apply for special spreading or difficult access, so request a quote that includes spreading if you need it.

Small, routine fills for landscaping rarely require a permit, but significant grade changes, retaining walls, altering drainage, or work in environmentally sensitive areas may trigger City of Boulder permitting or review. Before major fills or regrading, check with the City of Boulder Planning and Development Services or your county office to confirm local rules and avoid drainage or stormwater issues.

Contractors advise ordering measured cubic yards (add about 10% for compaction), specifying low-organic, clean fill, and placing fill in 4u0022 to 6u0022 lifts with mechanical compaction between lifts. Also check moisture content before compaction, avoid using topsoil as structural fill, and schedule deliveries when the site is accessible and not frozen for best results.