Cage-free regulations begin Jan. 1 for Colorado retailers, producers

On Jan. 1, 2023, all eggs and egg products sold in Colorado must be compliant with House Bill 20-1343, concerning confinement standards for egg-laying hens, and 8 CCR 1202-19 Rules pertaining to the Act.

“The Colorado Department of Agriculture is committed not only to the welfare of egg-laying hens, but also to fair and equitable trade of eggs and egg products as we implement this new regulatory program established through legislation,” said Mark Gallegos, Director of CDA’s Inspection and Consumer Services Division. 

In order to be fully compliant with the regulations:

 — Producers will phase into fully cage-free by 2025. Starting Jan. 1, 2023, farms (egg producers) have to demonstrate a ratio of one square foot per hen to become certified and sell eggs in Colorado.

— Farms must hire a private inspection provider to confirm their compliance, then apply for a Certificate of Compliance from the Colorado Department of Agriculture. Certification is free of charge and serves as the record of compliance that business owners selling eggs will need for them to be compliant with the Act. 

— Business owners may not knowingly sell or transport eggs and egg products produced from an egg producer that is not compliant.

— The requirement applies only to shell eggs and egg products, which includes eggs and egg whites that are liquid, frozen, dried, raw, or cooked. Egg products do not include eggs combined with other ingredients, such as quiche, breakfast burritos, or cake mixes.

— For consumer transparency, Colorado-compliant eggs and egg products offered for retail sale must be labeled CO-COM on their package with no letters smaller than 1/8 inch.  Bulk egg shipments must be accompanied by title documents labeled CO-COM or be accompanied by a copy of the farm’s Certificate of Compliance.

— Farms with 3,000 or fewer egg-laying hens and business owners who sell fewer than 25 cases of thirty dozen shell eggs per week (750 dozen/week) are exempt from these regulatory requirements. 

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