Fact Sheet
HB 1158 & SB 12-048
Revised May 2013
Colorado’s Cottage Foods Act
What is the Colorado Cottage Foods Act?
The Cottage Foods Act allows Colorado residents to
produce, process, or package certain foods that are
nonpotentially hazardous and do not require
refrigeration. These foods may be produced in a home,
commercial, private or public kitchen. All foods must be
sold directly to the ultimate consumer. The original law
became effective March 15, 2012. Amendments were
made and passed during the 2013 legislative session
and became effective April 4, 2013.
How do producers qualify to sell cottage
foods?
Producers are required to take a food safety course
that includes basic food handling training and is
comparable to or given by CSU extension service or a
state, county or district public health agency. The
producer must maintain good standing with the course
requirements and attend any additional classes if
What kinds
of food
be produced
and and
necessary.
Producers
arecan
responsible
for collecting
 Spices, teas,
nuts, seeds
submitting
applicable
sales tax. Producers are
encouraged,
notwith
required,
to purchase
adequate
 Farm freshbut
eggs,
additional
rulesHow
much
liability insurance for their business.
Where can cottage foods producers sell
their goods?
Goods can be sold on the producer’s premises, at a
roadside stand, farmers market, Community Supported
Agriculture organization, or similar venue where the
product is sold direct to consumers but not to grocery
stores or restaurants.
How much can producers sell?
Colorado residents can earn up to $5,000 net revenue
per year for each eligible item. For example, a producer
could earn up to $5,000 from wheat bread, $5,000
from sourdough rye bread, $5,000 from cherry
preserves and $5,000 from peach preserves for a total
of $20,000 in net annual revenue from her new cottage
foods business! Producers can also sell up to 250
dozen farm fresh eggs per month direct to consumers.
What kinds of food can be produced and
sold?
Food items produced and sold under the Cottage Foods
Act are limited to certain baked goods including candies,
honey, jams, jellies, preserves, fruit butter, dehydrated
fruits and veggies, spices, teas, nuts, seeds & farm fresh
eggs, with additional rules.
What are the requirements for selling eggs
under the Cottage Foods Act?
Producers can also sell up to 250 dozen farm fresh eggs
per month directly to consumers. Eggs must bear the
following information on an affixed label:
1) The address where the eggs originated
2) The date when eggs were packaged
3) The following disclaimer as written: “Safe Handling
Instructions: To prevent illness from bacteria, keep eggs
refrigerated, cook eggs until yolks are firm, and cook any
foods containing eggs thoroughly. These eggs do not
come from a government-approved source.”
Labeling requirements
Cottage food products must have a label that includes
all of the following information:
1. Product Identification
2. Producer’s Name
3. Production Address
4. Producer’s current phone number
OR email address
5. Manufactured on: Date of production
6. Complete List of Ingredients
7. This exact DISCLAIMER: This product was
produced in a home kitchen that is not subject
to state licensure or inspection and that may
also process common food allergens such as
tree nuts, peanuts, egg, soy, wheat, milk, fish
and crustacean shellfish. This product is not
intended for resale.
Beneficial legislation brought to you by grassroots community organizing!
For more information or to get involved with WCC’s Local Foods & Agriculture Efforts
Contact WCC Organizer, Rachel Zatterstrom at [email protected] or (970) 256-7650
Colorado small producers kneaded the Cottage Food Law
Organizing works!
By all accounts, Monica Wiitanen, Western Colorado Congress
member and Paonia farmer and baker, led the successful effort to
legalize the sale of homemade goods in our state. Monica’s home
baked bread has been in demand from friends and family for
decades but it was illegal for small producers to sell homemade
goods.
Monica and Western Colorado Congress members talked with their
state legislators and in 2012, Senator Gail Schwartz introduced the
legislation. The Colorado Cottage Food Act sailed through the
legislature with bipartisan support in 2012 and our state joined at
least eighteen others that allow the sale of cottage foods. After a
Photo from www.slowfoodwesternslope.org
year of the law in practice, Monica and WCC members returned to
the legislature to advocate for amendments to iron out a few kinks in the law, including food labels, location of
sale, sale of eggs, and clarifying the food safety course requirement.
Cottage Food Law creates jobs and
generates income for Coloradoans
The Cottage Food Law is a commonsense measure that
promotes economic development in Colorado
communities, supports locally grown and prepared
foods, and generates income for small producers. It
invigorates and expands Colorado’s agricultural
community.
Governor John Hickenlooper signs the 2012 Colorado Cottage Food Law.
Most importantly, the Cottage Food Law fosters
relationships between consumers and the producers
who make fresh, healthy, locally sourced food.
Join Western Colorado Congress…
Western Colorado Congress (WCC) is a grassroots, democratic organization dedicated to challenging
injustice by organizing people to increase their power over decisions that affect their lives. WCC’s
community groups and members work together to create healthy, sustainable communities, social and
economic justice, environmental stewardship and a truly democratic society.
…and a chapter in your area
Community Alliance of the Yampa Valley (Routt County)
Grand Valley Citizens Alliance (Garfield County)
Ridgway-Ouray Community Council (Ouray County)
Uncompahgre Valley Association (Montrose County)
WCC of Mesa County (Mesa County)
PO Box 1931, Grand Junction, CO 81502 (970) 256-7650
www.wccongress.org