Colorado Cottage Food Law 2026: $10,000 Limit, 2027 Tamale Act

Colorado's Cottage Foods Act, C.R.S. 25-4-1614, lets a producer make foods that do not need refrigeration in a home kitchen and sell them directly to informed end consumers without a state food license or inspection. Producers must complete food safety training, label each product and post a disclaimer at the point of sale. Through Dec. 31, 2026, each eligible product may earn up to $10,000 in net revenue a year, and sales may be made online but only within Colorado. On Jan. 1, 2027, the Tamale Act, HB 26-1033, takes effect. It requires yearly registration with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, or CDPHE, raises the cap to $150,000 in gross revenue and allows one type of food that needs time and temperature control, such as tamales. This guide covers what you can sell, how you can sell, labeling and when you need a license instead.

Disclaimer: This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws change, and local zoning, HOA and tax rules vary. Confirm current requirements with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, your local public health agency or an attorney before you start selling.

Quick facts

Sell only foods that do not need refrigeration, directly to an informed end consumer. CDPHE Cottage Foods Act
Complete a food safety training course before you start. CDPHE Cottage Foods Act
Through Dec. 31, 2026: up to $10,000 in net revenue a year for each product, such as each muffin flavor. C.R.S. 25-4-1614(2)(e); CDPHE Cottage Foods Act
Sales are allowed online but only in Colorado. Interstate commerce is not allowed. C.R.S. 25-4-1614(2)(d); CDPHE Cottage Foods Act
Starting Jan. 1, 2027: yearly CDPHE registration and a $150,000 gross revenue cap, adjusted for inflation. HB 26-1033, C.R.S. 25-4-1614(2)(e), (8) (eff. Jan. 1, 2027)

What the law calls it

Colorado uses "cottage foods," "producer," "designated representative" and "informed end consumer." The law is the Colorado Cottage Foods Act. C.R.S. 25-4-1614(1), (9); CDPHE Cottage Foods Act
A producer must be a Colorado resident or a Colorado LLC with no more than two members, all Colorado residents. C.R.S. 25-4-1614(9)(c)

Foods you can sell

Pickled fruits and vegetables with a finished pH of 4.6 or below, dry spices and teas, dehydrated and freeze-dried produce, nuts, seeds, honey, jams, jellies, preserves, fruit butter, flour, candies, fruit empanadas, tortillas, roasted coffee beans and baked goods such as muffins, fruit pies, cookies and cakes. C.R.S. 25-4-1614(2)(b)(I); CDPHE Cottage Foods Act
Buttercream made with ghee or vegetable oil is allowed. Up to 250 dozen whole eggs a month may also be sold. C.R.S. 25-4-1614(2)(b)(II); CDPHE Cottage Foods Act
Starting Jan. 1, 2027: one type of packaged food that needs time and temperature control, such as tamales, burritos or tortas, with up to five variations, made with inspected or exempt meat. HB 26-1033, C.R.S. 25-4-1614(2)(a)(II), (2)(b)(I) (eff. Jan. 1, 2027)

Foods you cannot sell

Meat, poultry, fish and shellfish products, including as ingredients or toppings; baked goods with cream, custard or meringue; buttercream made with butter; sauces, condiments and beverages; pumpkin, sweet potato and cream pies; cut fruits and vegetables, juices and purees; pepper jelly made with fresh or homemade dried peppers; freeze-dried meals; and CBD or THC products. CDPHE Cottage Foods Act
Starting Jan. 1, 2027, the law still excludes raw milk, low-acid canned foods, fermented or acidified foods that need refrigeration, alcohol beverages, cannabinoid foods and foods smoked or cured for preservation. HB 26-1033, C.R.S. 25-4-1614(8.5) (eff. Jan. 1, 2027)

Sales limit

Through Dec. 31, 2026: $10,000 in net revenue a year for each eligible product. C.R.S. 25-4-1614(2)(e). CDPHE says each type, such as blueberry, banana and chocolate chip muffins, has its own $10,000 limit. CDPHE Cottage Foods Act
Starting Jan. 1, 2027: $150,000 in gross revenue a year from all food sold under the act, adjusted each year for inflation. Splitting into multiple entities to avoid the cap is not allowed. HB 26-1033, C.R.S. 25-4-1614(2)(e) (eff. Jan. 1, 2027)
CDPHE has not published an inflation-adjusted figure for 2027. Ask CDPHE before relying on $150,000.

Training and registration

Complete one approved course: Colorado State University Extension's cottage food training, a food handler card or a local public health agency course. Stay in good standing with the course. CDPHE Cottage Foods Act
No state registration is required through Dec. 31, 2026. Starting Jan. 1, 2027, register with CDPHE every year before selling, listing the foods you plan to sell, and use your registration number on labels. HB 26-1033, C.R.S. 25-4-1614(8) (eff. Jan. 1, 2027)
Producers selling refrigerated foods from 2027 must take a course covering time and temperature control. HB 26-1033, C.R.S. 25-4-1614(2)(c)(II) (eff. Jan. 1, 2027)

Where and how you can sell

Directly from the producer or a designated representative to an informed end consumer, at multiple locations and events. CDPHE Cottage Foods Act
Online: allowed. Products must be sold only in Colorado and may not involve interstate commerce. C.R.S. 25-4-1614(2)(d). Delivery can be arranged between the producer and the buyer as long as it does not involve interstate commerce. CDPHE Cottage Foods Act
Shipping to other states: not allowed. Products may only be sold in Colorado and may not involve interstate commerce. C.R.S. 25-4-1614(2)(d); CDPHE Cottage Foods Act
Wholesale: not allowed. Products cannot be resold or sold to restaurants or grocery stores, and cottage foods cannot be used for catered events. A store can sell them only if it acts as your designated representative. CDPHE Cottage Foods Act
Starting Jan. 1, 2027: refrigerated foods must be kept at a safe temperature, transported only once and for no more than two hours. HB 26-1033, C.R.S. 25-4-1614(2)(b)(III) (eff. Jan. 1, 2027)

Labeling rules

Labels must show the product; your name, the address where the food was prepared and your phone number or email; the production date; a complete ingredient list; and: "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." C.R.S. 25-4-1614(3)(a)
CDPHE says cottage foods may not be labeled "allergen free." CDPHE Cottage Foods Act
At the point of sale, post a placard, sign or card that says: "This product was produced in a home kitchen that is not subject to state licensure or inspection. This product is not intended for resale." C.R.S. 25-4-1614(3)(c)
Starting Jan. 1, 2027, labels must also show your CDPHE registration number, the county where the food was made and a CDPHE website for illness reports and registration checks. HB 26-1033, C.R.S. 25-4-1614(3)(a) (eff. Jan. 1, 2027)
The session law shows only the label items it changed. Ask CDPHE whether the disclaimer wording changes in 2027.

Zoning, HOAs and local rules

You may need local business licenses and must collect sales tax where it applies. CDPHE points producers to the Department of Revenue. CDPHE Cottage Foods Act
Check city or county zoning and your HOA documents, since the state does not review private covenants.

Inspections

No routine inspection. Products may be sampled and inspected if misbranded, after a consumer complaint or in an illness outbreak. HB 26-1033, C.R.S. 25-4-1614(4)(a) (eff. Jan. 1, 2027)
Starting Jan. 1, 2027, health agencies may fine up to $100 and recover inspection costs up to $1,000. Three violations involving such foods within 12 months end the right to sell those foods. HB 26-1033, C.R.S. 25-4-1614(4)(c), (d) (eff. Jan. 1, 2027)

When you need a license instead

Foods outside the act, sales above the cap, out-of-state sales and sales for resale or to restaurants and grocery stores require a licensed food establishment or manufacturer. CDPHE Cottage Foods Act

Timeline

June 4, 2026: HB 26-1033, the Tamale Act, was approved. HB 26-1033, C.R.S. 25-4-1614 (eff. Jan. 1, 2027)
2012: SB 12-048 created the Colorado Cottage Foods Act, effective March 15, 2012. C.R.S. 25-4-1614
Jan. 1, 2027: the Tamale Act's changes to the Cottage Foods Act take effect. This page summarizes them from the 2026 session law. CDPHE has not yet published guidance on the new rules. HB 26-1033, C.R.S. 25-4-1614 (eff. Jan. 1, 2027)
Oct. 13, 2026: this page was last reviewed against CDPHE guidance and the 2026 session law.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a license to sell cottage food in Colorado?

No. Through 2026 no license or registration is needed. Starting Jan. 1, 2027, you must register with CDPHE each year. Sources: CDPHE Cottage Foods Act; HB 26-1033, C.R.S. 25-4-1614(8) (eff. Jan. 1, 2027).

What is Colorado's cottage food sales limit?

Through 2026, $10,000 in net revenue per product each year. Starting Jan. 1, 2027, $150,000 in gross revenue a year. Sources: CDPHE Cottage Foods Act; HB 26-1033, C.R.S. 25-4-1614(2)(e) (eff. Jan. 1, 2027).

Can I sell cottage food online in Colorado?

Yes, as long as delivery does not involve interstate commerce. Source: CDPHE Cottage Foods Act.

Can I ship cottage food to other states from Colorado?

No. Products may only be sold in Colorado. Source: CDPHE Cottage Foods Act.

Can I sell cottage food to restaurants or grocery stores in Colorado?

No. Products cannot be sold to restaurants or grocery stores or resold. Source: CDPHE Cottage Foods Act.

Can I sell tamales under Colorado's cottage food law?

Not yet. Starting Jan. 1, 2027, the Tamale Act allows one type of food that needs time and temperature control, such as tamales, with up to five variations. Source: HB 26-1033, C.R.S. 25-4-1614(2)(a)(II) (eff. Jan. 1, 2027).

Do I need food safety training in Colorado?

Yes. Complete an approved course before you start. Source: CDPHE Cottage Foods Act.

What sign do I need at a Colorado farmers market?

"This product was produced in a home kitchen that is not subject to state licensure or inspection. This product is not intended for resale." Source: C.R.S. 25-4-1614(3)(c).

Can I sell buttercream cakes in Colorado?

Only if the buttercream is made with ghee or vegetable oil. Buttercream made with butter is not allowed. Source: CDPHE Cottage Foods Act.

Can I sell eggs under Colorado's cottage food law?

Yes, up to 250 dozen whole eggs a month. Source: CDPHE Cottage Foods Act.

Official sources

This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws change, and local zoning, HOA and tax rules vary. Confirm current requirements with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, your local public health agency or an attorney before you start selling.

Colorado Cottage Food Laws