Litter pollutes the land and waterways in Kansas and can be harmful to people and animals. Adopting a highway helps the environment, saves tax dollars, and gives adopting groups a chance to perform a valuable civic service to their community and the State of Kansas. It is up to us to be responsible and keep our state looking great.

Civic-minded groups or businesses with an interest in keeping our highways litter-free, including families, youth organizations, civic groups, non-profit organizations, churches, schools, social organizations, neighborhood groups, service organizations, retiree organizations, and city, county, or state agencies. Eligible groups must comply with state laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, religion, color, age, gender, or national origin.

Any group whose name promotes or opposes an elected official or candidate for public office is not eligible to participate in the Adopt-A-Highway program. Additionally, adoptions are not allowed for political candidates and/or their election campaign organizations, elected officials, or entities that may constitute partisan endorsements.

Group members must be at least 11 years old and have adequate adult supervision.

Groups agree to remove litter at least three times a year for a two-year period at their convenience. There's no cost to a group that joins the program—all we request is your time and efforts. KDOT recommends participating groups have a minimum of five members to effectively remove litter on the assigned highway section. KDOT provides safety vests, instructional safety materials, and trash bags.

KDOT provides and places a sign marking each group's assigned section of highway. The name on the sign is limited to the group's name or acronym of up to 30 spaces. See the Adopt-A-Highway Application and Agreement for additional restrictions on the name placed on the sign and when KDOT will replace or can remove a sign.

There are urban and rural sections of highway available to adopt throughout the state. Please contact the KDOT office listed below which is closest to you.

Please fill out the application form and send it to the nearest KDOT office. KDOT will work with the applying group to select a section of highway to be adopted. KDOT may not allow some highway sections to be adopted for safety or other considerations. Groups may be put on a waiting list if they are interested in a particular area that is already adopted.

Most sections are two miles in length. Some groups request three-mile sections in rural areas, and some groups may adopt a one-mile stretch in urban areas. We work with each group to try and fit their needs. We encourage groups to plan an extra-curricular activity on their cleanup day. Many groups plan a picnic after they clean along the highway in order to combine work and fun.

The program is not intended as an advertising medium or a means of providing a public forum for groups, individuals, or businesses to use in promoting name recognition, a particular cause, or a political candidate or position. Participants may not display messages, carry banners, or advertise their business or group affiliation or cause. The safety of those collecting litter and the traveling public are of paramount concern. For that reason, while collecting litter on the right-of-way, the method, manner, and appearance of the participants should be conducted in a way that does not distract, disrupt, or adversely affect traffic or the safety of the traveling public.

Additional restrictions, terms, and conditions can be found in the Adopt-A-Highway Application and Agreement Form.