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Colorado Food Business Laws

mountain region · Pop. 5,877,610

Limited13 published categoriesLatest recorded review: June 19, 2026

Recorded review dates for 13 of 13 published categories. A review date is not a guarantee that requirements are current.

Published-category signalLimited
Informational Only: This information is compiled from public sources for educational purposes and may not reflect the most recent changes. Verify all requirements with your state's regulatory agency before starting or operating a food business. This is not legal advice.

Cottage Food

Workable

Colorado uses a unique per-product cap: $10,000 per product type annually (not a total cap). No license, no permit, no home inspection. Allows up to 3,000 whole eggs per month. Internet sales are allowed and products may be shipped/delivered within Colorado (in-state only; no interstate). Non-TCS shelf-stable foods only.

Revenue Cap
$10,000 / year

$10,000 per distinct product type annually — not a total cap across all products. Each product must stay under $10,000. HB26-1033 (signed 2026-06-04, effective 2026-08-12) replaces this with a $150,000/yr TOTAL cap (inflation-adjusted annually), adds refrigerated + meat products, and adds a registration requirement.

License
Not required
Training
Not required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

Canning & Preserves

Workable

Colorado allows jams, jellies, preserves, fruit butter, and pickled fruits/vegetables (pH 4.6 or below) under Cottage Foods Act at $10,000 per product type annually. No training required. CDPHE offers free pH testing for up to 5 products. Fermented foods not explicitly allowed. Water-bath only — inversion, oven, microwave, dishwasher processing prohibited.

Revenue Cap
$10,000 / year

$10,000 per product type annually

License
Not required
Training
Required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

direct-to-consumer

Honey

Workable

Colorado has dual pathways: raw unprocessed honeycomb is a raw agricultural product exempt from all licensing. Processed/extracted honey falls under Cottage Foods Act ($10,000 per product cap). Apiary registration effectively defunct (unfunded since 1990). Infused honey status unclear — contact CDPHE. Honey butter with real butter NOT allowed.

Revenue Cap
$10,000 / year

$10,000 per product type annually

License
Not required
Training
Required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

direct-to-consumer

Specialty Foods

Workable

Colorado allows specialty foods under Cottage Foods Act up to $10,000 per product type annually. Spice blends specifically listed as permitted. Dried herbs and tea blends allowed. Nut butters may require clarification. Infused oils prohibited. Food safety training required.

Revenue Cap
$10,000 / year

$10,000 per product type annually

License
Not required
Training
Required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

direct-to-consumerfarmers-market

Pet Treats

Workable

Colorado requires commercial feed registration through the Department of Agriculture. Annual license of $60 plus $30 per product. Tonnage inspection fees apply. Labels must meet AAFCO standards. Colorado follows the AAFCO Model Bill closely.

Revenue Cap
No revenue cap

No revenue cap; tonnage-based inspection fees

License
Required
Training
Not required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

wholesaleretail

Fermented Foods

Limited

Colorado does not permit fermented foods under its Cottage Foods Act. Pickled vegetables and fermented products are explicitly prohibited. Commercial food processing license required. Better Process Control School training needed for any acidified food processing.

Revenue Cap
$10,000 / year

$10,000 per product type annually

License
Required
Training
Required
Online Sales
Not allowed

Recorded Label Requirements

  • N/A — fermented foods not permitted under cottage food

Food Freedom Laws

Limited

Colorado has no standalone Food Freedom Act. Homemade food sales are governed by Colorado's cottage food law, which is moderately permissive (a $10,000/yr cap, no license required). See the Cottage Food vertical for the full roadmap.

Revenue Cap
$10,000 / year

$10,000 per distinct product type annually — not a total cap across all products. Each product must stay under $10,000. HB26-1033 (signed 2026-06-04, effective 2026-08-12) replaces this with a $150,000/yr TOTAL cap (inflation-adjusted annually), adds refrigerated + meat products, and adds a registration requirement.

License
Not required
Training
Not required
Online Sales
Not allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

Domestic Kitchen

Limited

Colorado has no standalone domestic-kitchen / home-kitchen license tier. Home food production is governed by Colorado's cottage food law, which is moderately permissive (a $10,000/yr cap, no license required). See the Cottage Food vertical for the full roadmap.

Revenue Cap
$10,000 / year

$10,000 per distinct product type annually — not a total cap across all products. Each product must stay under $10,000. HB26-1033 (signed 2026-06-04, effective 2026-08-12) replaces this with a $150,000/yr TOTAL cap (inflation-adjusted annually), adds refrigerated + meat products, and adds a registration requirement.

License
Not required
Training
Not required
Online Sales
Not allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

Farm Direct

Limited

Colorado has no standalone farm-direct exemption. Farm value-added products are governed by Colorado's cottage food law, which is moderately permissive (a $10,000/yr cap, no license required). See the Cottage Food vertical for the full roadmap.

Revenue Cap
$10,000 / year

$10,000 per distinct product type annually — not a total cap across all products. Each product must stay under $10,000. HB26-1033 (signed 2026-06-04, effective 2026-08-12) replaces this with a $150,000/yr TOTAL cap (inflation-adjusted annually), adds refrigerated + meat products, and adds a registration requirement.

License
Not required
Training
Not required
Online Sales
Not allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

Complete Pet Food

Limited

Colorado requires commercial feed registration through the Department of Agriculture. Annual license of $60 plus $30 per product. Tonnage inspection fees apply. Complete & balanced pet food must meet AAFCO nutritional adequacy profiles. Colorado follows the AAFCO Model Bill closely. Commercial facility required.

Revenue Cap
No revenue cap

No revenue cap; tonnage-based inspection fees

License
Required
Training
Required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

wholesaleretail

Raw Pet Food

Limited

Colorado requires commercial feed registration through the Department of Agriculture. Raw pet food requires additional food safety controls. Annual license $60 plus $30 per product plus tonnage fees. Must be manufactured in a commercial facility with pathogen testing. Colorado follows AAFCO Model Bill closely.

Revenue Cap
No revenue cap

No revenue cap; pathogen testing and commercial facility required

License
Required
Training
Required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

wholesaleretail

Pet Supplements

Limited

Colorado requires commercial feed registration for pet supplements through the Department of Agriculture. Annual license $60 plus $30 per product. Tonnage inspection fees. Colorado follows AAFCO Model Bill closely. Hemp-derived CBD pet supplements may be permitted under Colorado hemp program.

Revenue Cap
No revenue cap

No revenue cap; tonnage-based inspection fees

License
Required
Training
Required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

wholesaleretail

Pet Bakery

Limited

Colorado requires commercial feed registration for pet bakery products through the Department of Agriculture. Annual license $60 plus $30 per product. No specific cottage exemption for pet treats. Colorado follows AAFCO Model Bill closely. Baked treats sold as snacks have simplified requirements.

Revenue Cap
No revenue cap

No revenue cap; tonnage-based inspection fees

License
Required
Training
Not required
Online Sales
Allowed

Recorded Sales Channels

wholesaleretail

Pet Food Regulations for Colorado

Commercial feed licensing, AAFCO compliance, fees, and feed control official contact

View Details

Business Formation in Colorado

Review business-formation options and the recorded fees for Colorado. Confirm current fees and obligations with the state filing office; forming an entity does not guarantee asset protection.

LLC Filing Fee

$50

Annual Fee

$25

Processing Estimate

~1 days

DBA Fee

$20

  • • Online filing only — no paper option
  • • Same-day or next-day processing
  • • $50 late fee if report filed months 6-7 after due date
Secretary of State Website →Start Formation Wizard
Limited

Colorado Public Signal

13 of 13 published categories assessed. An overall band requires every published category to be assessed.

Revenue-cap periods follow normalized display labels, not verified legal reset rules. Missing or unrecognized periods display as annual; confirm the applicable period with the regulator.

Cottage Food

Workable

Canning & Preserves

Workable

Honey

Workable

Specialty Foods

Workable

Pet Treats

Start Your Colorado Food Business

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This is informational guidance, not legal advice. Always verify requirements with your state regulatory agency before selling food products.

direct-to-consumerfarmers-marketcommunity-eventsonline-instateinstate-shipping

Recorded Products

pickled fruits and vegetables

spices

teas

dehydrated produce

nuts

seeds

honey

jams

jellies

preserves

fruit butter

flour

baked goods

candies

fruit empanadas

tortillas

whole eggs (up to 3,000/month)

Recorded Label Requirements

  • product name
  • producer name
  • address where food produced
  • phone number and email
  • production date
  • complete ingredient list
  • home kitchen allergen disclaimer (tree nuts, peanuts, eggs, soy, wheat, milk, fish, shellfish)

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • nutrition facts

Colo. Rev. Stat. § 25-4-1614 et seq.

Recorded review: June 19, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
farmers-market
online-local-pickup

Recorded Products

jams

jellies

fruit butter

apple butter

fruit preserves

pickles (high-acid/acidified)

salsa (acidified)

chutney

Recorded Label Requirements

  • producer name
  • address
  • ingredients
  • allergens
  • Made in a cottage food operation label
  • date produced
  • pH testing required for acidified foods

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • nutrition facts

Colo. Rev. Stat. 25-4-1614 et seq.

Recorded review: March 1, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
farmers-market
online-local-pickup

Recorded Products

raw honey

filtered honey

creamed honey

comb honey

infused honey

beeswax products

Recorded Label Requirements

  • producer name
  • address
  • product name (honey)
  • net weight
  • ingredients (if infused)
  • allergens
  • Made in a cottage food operation label
  • date produced

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • USDA grade
  • floral source
  • nutrition facts

Colo. Rev. Stat. 25-4-1614 et seq.; Colo. Rev. Stat. § 35-25-101 (Apiary)

Recorded review: March 1, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
online-local-pickup

Recorded Products

dried herbs

spice blends

tea blends

dry mixes

seasoning packets

granola

trail mix

dried pasta

flavored salts

Recorded Label Requirements

  • producer name
  • address
  • ingredients
  • allergens
  • Made in a cottage food operation label
  • date produced
  • net weight

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • nutrition facts

Colo. Rev. Stat. 25-4-1614 et seq.

Recorded review: March 1, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
online
farmers-market
direct-to-consumer

Recorded Products

dog treats

cat treats

pet food

pet snacks

biscuits

chews

Recorded Label Requirements

  • product name
  • species designation
  • guaranteed analysis
  • ingredient list (AAFCO names)
  • net weight
  • manufacturer name and address
  • nutritional adequacy statement or treat designation

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • calorie content
  • feeding directions

Colo. Rev. Stat. § 35-60-101 et seq. (Colorado Commercial Feed Law)

Recorded review: March 1, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap

Colo. Rev. Stat. 25-4-1614 et seq. (pickled vegetables explicitly prohibited)

Recorded review: March 1, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
direct-to-consumer
farmers-market
community-events

Recorded Products

pickled fruits and vegetables

spices

teas

dehydrated produce

nuts

seeds

honey

jams

jellies

preserves

fruit butter

flour

baked goods

candies

fruit empanadas

tortillas

whole eggs (up to 3,000/month)

Recorded Label Requirements

  • product name
  • producer name
  • address where food produced
  • phone number and email
  • production date
  • complete ingredient list
  • home kitchen allergen disclaimer (tree nuts, peanuts, eggs, soy, wheat, milk, fish, shellfish)

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • nutrition facts

No dedicated Food Freedom Act; governed by Colo. Rev. Stat. § 25-4-1614 et seq.

Recorded review: June 18, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
direct-to-consumerfarmers-marketcommunity-events

Recorded Products

pickled fruits and vegetables

spices

teas

dehydrated produce

nuts

seeds

honey

jams

jellies

preserves

fruit butter

flour

baked goods

candies

fruit empanadas

tortillas

whole eggs (up to 3,000/month)

Recorded Label Requirements

  • product name
  • producer name
  • address where food produced
  • phone number and email
  • production date
  • complete ingredient list
  • home kitchen allergen disclaimer (tree nuts, peanuts, eggs, soy, wheat, milk, fish, shellfish)

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • nutrition facts

No dedicated domestic-kitchen / home-kitchen license tier; governed by Colo. Rev. Stat. § 25-4-1614 et seq.

Recorded review: June 18, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
direct-to-consumer
farmers-market
community-events

Recorded Products

pickled fruits and vegetables

spices

teas

dehydrated produce

nuts

seeds

honey

jams

jellies

preserves

fruit butter

flour

baked goods

candies

fruit empanadas

tortillas

whole eggs (up to 3,000/month)

Recorded Label Requirements

  • product name
  • producer name
  • address where food produced
  • phone number and email
  • production date
  • complete ingredient list
  • home kitchen allergen disclaimer (tree nuts, peanuts, eggs, soy, wheat, milk, fish, shellfish)

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • nutrition facts

No dedicated farm-direct exemption; governed by Colo. Rev. Stat. § 25-4-1614 et seq.

Recorded review: June 18, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
online
direct-to-consumer

Recorded Products

dry kibble

wet/canned food

semi-moist food

fresh refrigerated food

Recorded Label Requirements

  • product name with species designator
  • guaranteed analysis (crude protein min, crude fat min, crude fiber max, moisture max)
  • ingredient list using AAFCO-defined names in descending order by weight
  • nutritional adequacy statement (formulation or feeding trial method)
  • feeding directions
  • net weight
  • manufacturer name and address

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • calorie content
  • AAFCO feeding trial statement
  • life stage designation

Colo. Rev. Stat. § 35-60-101 et seq. (Colorado Commercial Feed Law)

Recorded review: March 1, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
online

Recorded Products

raw frozen pet food

freeze-dried raw

dehydrated raw

raw bones

raw meaty bones

Recorded Label Requirements

  • product name with species designator
  • guaranteed analysis (crude protein min, crude fat min, crude fiber max, moisture max)
  • ingredient list using AAFCO-defined names in descending order by weight
  • nutritional adequacy statement or treat designation
  • safe handling instructions
  • storage and temperature requirements
  • net weight
  • manufacturer name and address

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • calorie content
  • feeding directions

Colo. Rev. Stat. § 35-60-101 et seq. (Colorado Commercial Feed Law)

Recorded review: March 1, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
online
direct-to-consumer

Recorded Products

joint supplements (glucosamine/chondroitin)

probiotics

omega fatty acids

vitamins

minerals

digestive enzymes

calming supplements

hemp-derived CBD (under state hemp program)

Recorded Label Requirements

  • product name with species designator
  • guaranteed analysis
  • ingredient list using AAFCO-defined names
  • directions for use/dosage
  • net weight
  • manufacturer name and address
  • intended use statement (structure/function claim only)

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • NASC quality seal
  • calorie content
  • caution/warning statements

Colo. Rev. Stat. § 35-60-101 et seq. (Colorado Commercial Feed Law)

Recorded review: March 1, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
online
farmers-market
direct-to-consumer

Recorded Products

baked dog biscuits

pet birthday cakes

frozen yogurt treats

peanut butter cookies

pumpkin treats

Recorded Label Requirements

  • product name
  • species designation
  • ingredient list using AAFCO-defined names
  • treat/snack designation
  • net weight
  • manufacturer name and address

Recorded Optional Label Information

  • guaranteed analysis
  • calorie content
  • feeding directions

Colo. Rev. Stat. § 35-60-101 et seq. (Colorado Commercial Feed Law)

Recorded review: March 1, 2026

Full Details Get Roadmap
Workable

Fermented Foods

Limited

Food Freedom Laws

Limited

Domestic Kitchen

Limited

Farm Direct

Limited

Complete Pet Food

Limited

Raw Pet Food

Limited

Pet Supplements

Limited

Pet Bakery

Limited

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