Your Neighbors Kitchen May Become The Hot New Bakery In NoCo

I have a friend in Loveland who loves to bake. She is a wiz in the kitchen, creating sweet treats like cinnamon rolls and cake pops. If I'm throwing a party, she's the first call I make because her stuff is always a hit.

In past years, the rules and regulations have made it pretty hard to open up and sell goods from home.

But the powers that be just made things a little easier for all home chefs and bakers with the introduction of HB26-1033, also known as the Cottage Food Act. Let's break down the changes.

The Cottage Food Act

Beginning January 1, 2027, the Cottage Food Act, signed by Governor Jared Polis back in June of this year, will officially loosen Colorado's grip on at-home bakers and the sale of goods directly to consumers.

Participants under the Cottage Food Act must register with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Once registered, you'll receive a registration number to put on product labels.

The law also raises the sales cap to $150,000 per year, subject to future inflation adjustments.

If you're making over $150,000 per year making cake pops, you're doing great.

There are also new rules for restaurants. For example, delivery drivers are no longer allowed to handle cutlery, including forks and straws. The customer must request the items and confirm they actually want them.

Also, as a safety measure, Larimer County is already operating the FDA Food Code. Signed back in 2022, this rule requires sellers to provide an allergy notification to buyers.

So if you love baking and have thought about selling your goods, be sure to look into the new Colorado rules and regulations.