Colorado's Cottage Foods Act covers a wide range of non-potentially hazardous foods. Here's the full breakdown — what's open, what has conditions, and what's off-limits.
Under Colorado's Cottage Foods Act (C.R.S. § 25-4-1614), products fall into three categories. Every item below is based on the current statute as amended through 2016, administered by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE).
Colorado's Cottage Foods Act draws a clear line at one concept: potentially hazardous foods. These are foods that require time and temperature control for safety (known as TCS foods in food science). Bacteria can grow rapidly in these foods if they're not kept at proper temperatures — and because cottage food kitchens aren't inspected or licensed, the state restricts them to protect public health.
The good news is that Colorado's definition of "non-potentially hazardous" is generous. The 2016 amendment eliminated the old two-tier system and opened the door to any food that doesn't require refrigeration, as long as it meets safety standards. That's why pickled products are allowed — but only if their pH is verified at 4.6 or below, where harmful bacteria like botulism can't grow.
Free pH testing: If you make pickled fruits, vegetables, kimchi, sauerkraut, relish, chutney, or vinegar, CDPHE offers free equilibrium pH testing for up to 5 products per cottage food producer. This validates your recipe and confirms your product is safe. Contact CDPHE at (303) 692-3645, option #2 or email cdphe_mfgfd@state.co.us.
Not sure about your product? If you're unsure whether a specific item qualifies, contact CDPHE directly. They maintain a helpful FAQ and can confirm whether your product falls within the Act. The general rule: if it doesn't need refrigeration to be safe, and it's not a meat, dairy, juice, or low-acid canned food — it's very likely allowed.
Colorado limits you to $10,000 in net revenue per product per year. But each distinct product or flavor counts separately. So if you sell six flavors of jam, each one can earn up to $10,000 — meaning your jam business alone could generate $60,000 in annual revenue. This per-product model makes Colorado one of the most generous states for cottage food sellers in the country. If you exceed the limit on any single product, you'll need to register with CDPHE as a food manufacturer or obtain a retail food establishment license.
Enter your specific product and get an instant assessment of whether it's allowed under Colorado's cottage food rules.
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