Colorado Raw Milk Laws & Regulations

Colorado raw milk works through herdshares, and the model is mature and widely used. By buying a share in a cow or a herd you become a part owner, and the milk you collect is your own property rather than a retail purchase, which is a route thousands of Colorado households already use.

Is raw milk legal in Colorado?

Yes, through herdshare arrangements. Distribution of raw milk via herdshares is lawful, and producers register with the state. A share agreement typically involves a bill of sale giving you an ownership interest in the animal or herd, together with a boarding arrangement under which the farmer houses, feeds and milks the animals on your behalf and you collect your share.

How herdshares work in practice

Signing up is straightforward. You contract directly with a farm, pay for the share and for ongoing care, and then collect milk on a regular schedule, usually at the farm. Because you are an owner rather than a customer, the arrangement sits outside retail sales law entirely. Colorado farms have refined this over many years, and established operations run clear contracts, defined pickup windows and waiting lists.

Where to find a herdshare

Herdshares operate along the Front Range serving Denver, Boulder, Fort Collins and Colorado Springs, through the Western Slope around Grand Junction and Montrose, and in the San Luis Valley and eastern plains. Farms are found through local food networks, farmers market contacts and word of mouth, and many maintain websites describing share terms. Goat shares are common alongside cow shares.

Expanding access

There is sustained interest in adding a direct sales option on top of herdshares. Senate Bill 24-043 would have allowed registered producers to sell direct at farms, farmers markets and roadside stands, and although it did not pass in 2024 the sponsor signalled an intention to return to it, and Legislative Council staff produced a raw milk briefing in February 2026, keeping the question live at the Capitol. For the federal framework, see the United States raw milk laws overview.