Colorado is between two sets of rules. The current Colorado Cottage Foods Act applies through December 31, 2026. Starting January 1, 2027, changes passed in HB26-1033, known as the "Tamale Act", take effect. They add state registration, open the door to many TCS foods, and raise the sales cap considerably. This page covers both so you can plan ahead.
Rules in effect now (through December 31, 2026)
Allowed foods are non-TCS foods listed by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE):
- Spices, teas, dehydrated produce, nuts, and seeds
- Honey, jams, jellies, and preserves
- Fruit butters, flour, candies, and fruit empanadas
- Tortillas
- Baked goods
- Roasted coffee
- Pickled fruits and vegetables with an equilibrium pH of 4.6 or below
- Buttercream frosting made with ghee or vegetable oil, but not butter
- Freeze-dried produce
- Whole eggs, up to 250 dozen a month
Not eligible: - Meat - Cream- or custard-filled items - Butter-based buttercream - Sauces and beverages - Pumpkin pie - Cut produce - Fresh pepper jellies - CBD or THC products
Sales cap: $10,000 per eligible product type per year, per CDPHE's FAQ.
Training: one of three options: - Colorado State University's cottage food course - A food handler card - A course from your local public health agency
Selling: directly to an informed end consumer, or to their designated representative, within Colorado. Internet sales are allowed. No sales to restaurants or grocery stores.
Point-of-sale placard: "This product was produced in a home kitchen that is not subject to state licensure or inspection. This product is not intended for resale."
Label: per the Institute for Justice: - Name, address, phone, and email - Production date - Ingredients - A disclaimer stating the product was made in an uninspected home kitchen that may process common allergens and is not intended for resale
CDPHE also offers free pH testing for up to five products.
What changes on January 1, 2027
According to CDPHE's Tamale Act pages:
- Registration: annual registration with CDPHE. - Training: CSU's course or an equivalent. - More foods: TCS foods and meat become eligible, with conditions. CDPHE says you can make one TCS product type at a time, with up to five variations. - Sales cap: $150,000 total per calendar year, adjusted for inflation. - Labels add: - Your registration number - Your county - Phone or email - Production date - The CDPHE website URL - New disclaimer: "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." - Enforcement: fines up to $100 per violation plus up to $1,000 in cost recovery. Three violations within 12 months can bar you from TCS sales.
Notice that the 2027 allergen list doesn't mention sesame, though federal allergen rules include it. Name sesame in your ingredients or "Contains" line if it's in the product.
Planning tip
If you're ordering labels in bulk, don't print a year's supply of the 2026 version in December. Make a short run, then switch to the 2027 layout with your registration number once CDPHE issues it.
Nutrition Facts
Neither version of Colorado's law adds a Nutrition Facts requirement. A nutrient or health claim brings in federal rules. With TCS foods coming in 2027, a dual-column per-container label will fit family-size tamale packs.
Official source
CDPHE — Cottage Foods and Colorado Cottage Food Act updates (Tamale Act).
Label formats for Colorado
Colorado cottage food questions
What is Colorado's cottage food sales limit?
Through 2026, $10,000 per eligible product type per year. From January 1, 2027, $150,000 in total sales per calendar year, adjusted for inflation.
Do I need to register my Colorado cottage food business?
Not under the current rules. From January 1, 2027, annual registration with CDPHE is required.
Can I sell tamales from home in Colorado?
Under the 2027 Tamale Act changes, many TCS foods become eligible with registration and conditions. Under the current rules, no.
What placard is required in Colorado?
"This product was produced in a home kitchen that is not subject to state licensure or inspection. This product is not intended for resale."