Colorado Senate Bill to Authorize Direct-to-Consumer Sales of Raw Milk

Photo from Paonia, near Needle Rock. Ignore the Wyoming plates.

Raw milk can only be distributed through herdshare programs in Colorado, as of now, but that could change this 2024 Regular Session. A bipartisan bill to legalize direct-to-consumer sales of raw milk (on-farm) is progressing through the Colorado Legislature.

While this bill will not allow raw milk to be sold in grocery stores, it’ll save raw milk enjoyers some paperwork, and allow for easier one-off purchases on the farm for farmers who meet the requirements.

Update – April 2024

Colorado’s raw milk bill was scuttled due to structural and topical issues. SB-24 would’ve made on-farm sales legal and included a fine of $500 for every bottle found above 40ºF, compared to California’s standard for keeping milk below 45ºF. Avian flu also caused some panic as a case was discovered in Montrose County, so the bill is down for this go-around.

Herdshares are already legal in Colorado, so raw milk consumers will continue with their memberships until the bill’s next legislative session.

Bill Summary

Direct link to Senate Bill 24 on the Colorado Legislature website: SB24-043 Concerning direct-to-consumer sales of raw milk

Water Resources and Agriculture Review Committee. The bill authorizes a raw milk producer (producer) that registers with the department of public health and environment (department) to engage in direct-to-consumer sales of raw milk in the state if the producer complies with certain labeling, storage, handling, and transportation requirements. The direct-to-consumer sales may take place at the location where the raw milk is produced, at the consumer’s residence, or at a farmers’ market or roadside market.

The bill authorizes the department of agriculture to:

Adopt rules related to the storage, handling, and transportation of raw milk intended for sale directly to consumers;

Inspect producers’ raw milk and operations;

Enforce against a violation in court or by imposition of a civil penalty.
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)