Colorado cottage food law

Selling home-baked goods in Colorado

How home bakers in Colorado can sell what they make: the sales limit, permits, training, where you can sell and the statement your labels must carry.

At a glance

Sales limit: Up to $10,000 a year in sales.
License or permit: No state permit or registration is required.
Food safety training: Yes: A food safety course with basic food handling training, given by or comparable to one from CSU Extension or a state, county, or district public health agency….
Online orders: Allowed: CDPHE says internet sales are allowed, as long as there is no interstate commerce.
Label statement: “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, eggs, soy, wheat, milk, fish, and crustacean shellfish. This product is not intended for resale.”

About this information. Colorado’s rules are summarized from the latest publicly available state laws, regulations and agency guidance, last checked November 3, 2026. Laws change, and county and city health departments may have their own requirements. This is not legal advice. Before you sell, confirm the rules with your state or local health department.

Colorado Cottage Foods Act producer

C.R.S. 25-4-1614 (Colorado Cottage Foods Act), as in force through 2026-12-31 · SB 12-048 (2012); amended HB 13-1158 (2013), HB 15-1102 and SB 15-085 (2015), SB 16-058 (2016). HB 26-1033 (signed 2026-06-04) amends 25-4-1614 effective 2027-01-01 (see pending legislation)

Yearly sales limit

$10,000
$10,000 net revenue or less per calendar year from the sale of EACH eligible food product (25-4-1614(2)(e)). CDPHE: each type or flavor counts separately (e.g., blueberry, banana, and chocolate chip muffins each have $10,000). There is no overall cap. From 2027-01-01 (HB 26-1033): one $150,000 gross yearly cap for all products, adjusted for inflation.

Permit or registration

No
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), Cottage Foods program
Fee: None now. HB 26-1033 sets no registration fee; CDPHE has not published one.
Official page

Food safety training

Yes
A food safety course with basic food handling training, given by or comparable to one from CSU Extension or a state, county, or district public health agency; keep in good standing, including any extra classes (25-4-1614(2)(c)). CDPHE accepts one of: CSU Extension Food Safety Training for Colorado Cottage Food Producers (certificate good for 3 years), a Food Handlers Card from State Food Safety (online), or a local public health agency course.

Where you make it

The producer's home kitchen (home = the primary residence occupied by the producer) or a commercial, private, or public kitchen (C.R.S. 25-4-1614(2)(a), (9)(a)). The producer must be a Colorado resident, or a Colorado LLC with two or fewer members, all Colorado residents (25-4-1614(9)(c)).

Selling in person

Allowed: directly to the consumer by the producer or a designated representative, at multiple locations and events, including on the same day (CDPHE); e.g., the home, farmers markets, roadside stands, CSAs (CDPHE checklist)

Phone and online orders

Allowed: CDPHE says internet sales are allowed, as long as there is no interstate commerce

Delivery and shipping

Allowed: food must be delivered directly from the producer to the informed end consumer (25-4-1614(2)(d)(I)); CDPHE says delivery terms are set between producer and consumer

Selling out of state

Stores and wholesale

Not allowed: no sales to restaurants, grocery stores, or other retail food establishments, and no catering (CDPHE). A storefront (e.g., gift shop) may sell only if the store and its staff act as the producer's designated representative (CDPHE).

Examples you can sell

Only nonpotentially hazardous foods that do not require refrigeration (25-4-1614(2)(b)(I))

Baked goods such as muffins, fruit pies, cookies, and cakes (CDPHE)
Candies, including cotton candy and fudge
Fruit empanadas and tortillas
Jams, jellies, preserves, fruit butter, honey
Spices, teas, dehydrated and freeze-dried produce
Nuts and seeds
Flour
Roasted coffee beans (CDPHE)
Buttercream made with ghee or vegetable oil (CDPHE)
Pickled fruits and vegetables with a finished equilibrium pH of 4.6 or below

Not allowed

Potentially hazardous foods that need refrigeration (time/temperature control for safety) or a special process (25-4-1614(2)(b)(I))
Any meat, poultry, fish, or shellfish, including as ingredients or toppings (e.g., bacon, jerky) (CDPHE)
Baked or fried goods with cream, custard, or meringue fillings or toppings (CDPHE)
Cakes or pastries with butter-based buttercream (CDPHE)
Pumpkin, sweet potato, and cream pies (CDPHE)
Sauces, condiments (ketchup, mustard, hot sauce), and salad dressings (CDPHE)
Beverages, juices, concentrates, and purees (CDPHE)
Cut fresh fruits and vegetables (CDPHE)
Pepper jelly or jams made with fresh peppers or homemade dehydrated peppers (CDPHE)
Freeze-dried meals (CDPHE)

The statement your labels must carry

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, eggs, soy, wheat, milk, fish, and crustacean shellfish. This product is not intended for resale.

Common questions about Colorado’s cottage food law

Can I sell baked goods from home in Colorado?

Yes. Colorado lets home bakers sell food made in their own kitchen as a colorado Cottage Foods Act producer. Most baked goods that don’t need refrigeration qualify; see the examples on this page.

Do I need a license or permit to sell baked goods in Colorado?

No state permit or registration is required.

How much can I sell from home in Colorado?

Up to $10,000 a year in sales.

Do I need food safety training in Colorado?

Yes: A food safety course with basic food handling training, given by or comparable to one from CSU Extension or a state, county, or district public health agency….

Can I sell online or ship my baked goods in Colorado?

Online and phone orders: Allowed: CDPHE says internet sales are allowed, as long as there is no interstate commerce. Delivery and shipping: Allowed: food must be delivered directly from the producer to the informed end consumer. Selling to other states is not allowed.

What must a cottage food label say in Colorado?

Labels must carry this statement: “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, eggs, soy, wheat, milk, fish, and crustacean shellfish. This product is not intended for resale.”. Most states also require the product name, ingredients in order of weight, allergens, net weight, and your name and address.

Home and Hearth Baker knows Colorado’s rules

The program puts Colorado’s required wording on every label for you, tracks your sales against any yearly limit, and updates for free when the rules change.

Try it free for 30 days See what it does