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Cottage food by state

Colorado cottage food law: what you can sell and how

Colorado lets you sell shelf-stable homemade foods directly to informed consumers in the state without a license. A big rewrite, the Tamale Act, takes effect January 1, 2027.

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Updated November 2026 by the Madeline's team, who set these tools up for makers and farms.

The short version

Through 2026: no license or registration, a food safety course before you start, non-potentially hazardous foods only, up to $10,000 in net revenue per product, sold directly to informed end consumers in Colorado. From January 1, 2027 (HB26-1033): yearly registration with CDPHE, CSU training, a $150,000 yearly cap, and some refrigerated foods allowed with limits.

Colorado rules at a glance

  1. Who regulates

    Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE).

  2. Training

    A food safety training course is required before starting. From 2027, a Colorado State University cottage food course or equivalent is required to register.

  3. Allowed foods now

    Non-potentially hazardous foods such as pickled fruits and vegetables at pH 4.6 or below, dry spices and teas, dehydrated produce, nuts and seeds, honey, jams, jellies, fruit butters, flour, candies, tortillas, and up to 250 dozen eggs a month.

  4. Sales limit

    $10,000 net revenue per product per year today. From January 1, 2027, a total of $150,000 a year, adjusted for inflation.

  5. Where you can sell

    Only in Colorado, delivered directly to an informed end consumer, in person or online. Not to restaurants or grocery stores, and not for resale.

  6. Notice

    Display a placard at the point of sale: "This product was produced in a home kitchen that is not subject to state licensure or inspection. This product is not intended for resale."

  7. Coming in 2027

    Registration with CDPHE renewed yearly, a registration number, county, contact and production date on labels, and one type of time and temperature controlled food (up to five variations) for trained producers.

Check the source

  • Official source

    CDPHE: Colorado Cottage Foods Act

    Rules change. Confirm the current figures and forms with the state before you start selling.

    Open the official page

  • Cottage food to commercial kitchen

    What changes when you outgrow the limits.

    Read the guide

  • Free tool

    Cost per jar calculator

    Price your cottage food products from what they really cost.

    Use the calculator

  • Food label requirements

    What a packaged food label needs, including allergens.

    Read the guide

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Questions

Do I need a license for cottage food in Colorado?

No license. Through 2026 there is no registration either; from January 1, 2027 you must register with CDPHE every year.

What is the Colorado cottage food sales limit?

$10,000 in net revenue per product per year today, rising to a $150,000 total cap on January 1, 2027.

Can I sell cottage food online in Colorado?

Yes, but only to consumers in Colorado, delivered directly to them.

Can I sell tamales from home in Colorado?

Not yet. The Tamale Act allows certain refrigerated and meat foods starting January 1, 2027, with training and registration.

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Tell us what you make and what you use today. A spreadsheet and a Square account is a fine answer. We reply by email with what we would keep, what we would change and what it costs.

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