Colorado Cottage Food Law: Labeling and Sales Guide
Cottage food regulations for Colorado — sales limits, allowed and prohibited products, labeling requirements, and where you can sell direct-to-consumer.
Quick Answer
The Colorado Cottage Foods Act caps sales at $10,000 per product (per variety or flavor) rather than an overall annual limit — so producers can sell unlimited total volume across multiple products. Producers must complete an approved food safety course, but no license or inspection is required. Only non-potentially-hazardous, shelf-stable foods are allowed, and every label must carry a home-kitchen disclaimer and a full physical street address.
Colorado Cottage Food Law: At a Glance
| Law / Program | Colorado Cottage Foods Act |
| Enacted / Last Amended | 2012; expanded several times (incl. HB25-1190) |
| Annual Sales Limit | $10,000 per product/variety per year (no overall annual cap) |
| Statute Citation | C.R.S. § 25-4-1614 |
| Enforcing Agency | Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) |
Allowed Cottage Food Products
- ✓Baked goods (non-TCS)
- ✓Candies and confections
- ✓Jams, jellies, and preserves
- ✓Honey
- ✓Dried and dehydrated produce, nuts, and seeds
- ✓Dry spices and teas
- ✓Pickled fruits and vegetables with finished equilibrium pH 4.6 or lower
Products NOT Permitted Under Cottage Food
- ✗Refrigerated / TCS foods
- ✗Meat, poultry, and fish products
- ✗Low-acid canned goods
- ✗Any product labeled "allergen free"
Where You Can Sell
- •Direct to consumer at farmers markets and roadside stands
- •Direct sales from the producer's home
- •Online for delivery within Colorado
- •NOT permitted: resale or wholesale to stores/restaurants
Colorado Cottage Food Labeling Requirements
- 1Producer's name
- 2Full physical street address (P.O. boxes are not accepted)
- 3Product name
- 4Ingredient list
- 5Net weight in US and metric units
- 6Allergen / home-kitchen disclosure (may not be labeled "allergen free")
- 7Disclaimer: "This product was produced in a home kitchen that is not subject to state licensure or inspection. This product is not intended for resale."
Colorado Cottage Food FAQs
How does Colorado's per-product cap work?
Colorado caps sales at $10,000 per product (per variety or flavor) instead of an overall annual limit. Selling several different products lets you exceed $10,000 in total revenue legally.
Do I need training for the Colorado Cottage Foods Act?
Yes. Producers must complete an approved food safety course. No license, permit, or inspection is required beyond that.
What address must appear on the label?
A full physical street address — P.O. boxes are not accepted — along with the required home-kitchen disclaimer.
Can I claim my product is allergen free in Colorado?
No. Labels may not state "allergen free." They must disclose that the product was made in a home kitchen and may contain common allergens.
Could the per-product cap change?
Possibly. HB26-1033 (the "Tamale Act") was before lawmakers and, if passed, would eliminate the per-product cap and allow certain refrigerated and hot-held foods. Confirm current law with CDPHE.
Related Guides for Cottage Food Producers
Homemade Food Labels
What's required on cottage food labels even when nutrition facts panels are exempt.
FDA Small Business Exemption
When the FDA waives nutrition label requirements — federal rules layered on top of state cottage food laws.
Allergen Labeling Rules
FALCPA + FASTER Act: the 9 major allergens that must be disclosed on every food label — including cottage food.
Scaling Beyond Cottage Food?
When you exceed your state's cottage food limit or move to retail distribution, you need a full FDA Nutrition Facts label. Generate one free in 3 minutes.
Open Free Generator