Registration
- Required
- No
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Colorado cottage food rules
Review sales limits, online sales, registration, labeling, venues, shipping, foods, and source notes for this jurisdiction.
Sales limit
$10,000 per product
Online sales
Yes
Registration
Not required
Training
Required
Current law details
Start with the summary, then verify locally.
Unique per-product sales limit ($10,000/year per product, not total cap). Allows pickled items with pH <= 4.6 and testing. Food safety course required. Direct sales only within Colorado. Free pH testing offered by state lab (limited funding, first-come first-served, up to 5 products). HB25-1190 to allow refrigerated foods failed in 2025; HB26-1033 is a 2026 proposal to expand the Cottage Foods Act but was not active law as of May 7, 2026.
Setup requirements
Registration, training, and labeling details.
These are the common operating requirements sellers check before launching or changing sales channels.
Training
- Required
- Yes
- Type
- Food safety course comparable to CSU Extension or local health agency courses
- Cost
- $7-$35 (varies by provider)
Labeling
"This product is homemade"
- Name and address of producer
- Product name
- Ingredients in descending order by weight
- Allergen disclosure
- Net weight or volume
- Production date or use-by date
Sales channels
Allowed venues and fulfillment methods.
Confirm how customers are allowed to buy, receive, or pick up products before opening a sales channel.
Sales venues
Home sales
Allowed
Farmers markets
Allowed
Roadside stands
Allowed
Events
Allowed
Retail stores
Not allowed
Restaurants
Not allowed
Online
Allowed
Direct-to-consumer sales only. No wholesale to retail stores or restaurants. All transactions must occur within Colorado.
Shipping and delivery
- In-state
- Allowed
- Out-of-state
- Not allowed
- Commercial carriers
- Allowed
- Third-party delivery
- Allowed
In-state shipping via USPS, UPS, FedEx, or personal delivery. No interstate commerce. Online sales allowed but in-state only.
Product categories
Allowed food categories.
Allowed and limited categories are only a planning aid. Check official guidance before selling a specific recipe.
Baked goods
Allowed
Candy and confections
Allowed
Jams and jellies
Allowed
Acidified foods
Limited
Canned goods
Not allowed
Dried goods
Allowed
Perishables
Not allowed
Meat products
Not allowed
Dairy products
Not allowed
Pickled items allowed if pH ≤4.6 with testing. Baked goods, candies, jams/jellies, roasted coffee, dried herbs/spices, popcorn, granola, dried pasta. NO potentially hazardous foods, dairy, meat, low-acid canned goods, acidified foods without pH testing.
Updates and cautions
Check these notes before making changes.
Recent updates and warnings are included to help you spot issues that may need extra verification.
Recent legislative updates
HB26-1033
Effective: Pending
Pending 2026 proposal to expand the Cottage Foods Act, including broader product options and regulatory changes. Not active law as of May 7, 2026.
HB25-1190
Effective: N/A
Bill to expand cottage food law to include refrigerated foods and increase sales limits was defeated in legislature
Important warnings
- Per-product limit: each product can earn $10,000/year (not total sales cap)
- In-state sales only - no interstate commerce
- Direct sales only - no wholesale or retail sales
- Pickled items require pH testing (≤4.6)
- Free pH testing available from state lab but limited funding (first-come, first-served, up to 5 products)
Research sources
Sources used for this summary.
Last updated: 2026-05-07. Use these sources as a starting point for current verification.
- Colorado Revised Statutes § 25-4-1614
- Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
- Colorado State University Extension
- Colorado General Assembly - HB26-1033
- Forrager.com - Colorado
Important legal disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Cottage food rules change frequently and vary by local jurisdiction. Always verify current regulations with your state and local health departments before starting your business.
Next step
Turn Colorado rules into a clear ordering experience.
Use Cottage CMS to publish products, pickup windows, forms, disclosures, and order workflows after you verify the current local requirements.