Colorado Producer Responsibility

Producer Responsibility for Recycling Packaging and Paper (HB22-1355) passed in 2022 in Colorado. It will provide convenient recycling access to all Coloradans with no added cost to consumers or local governments.

Visit the Producer Responsibility Website for resources specifically designed to help local governments understand how the law benefits them and their residents and how to prepare for increased access to recycling. 

Producer Responsibility Website

Colorado's Producer Responsibility Program LAUNCHES

The Joint Budget Committee approved the scenario recommended by the team at the Colorado Dept. of Public Health and Environment. The modified middle scenario was chosen and now the work begins to transform the scenario into a program plan. Over the next 9 months, the Producer Responsibility Organization (Circular Action Alliance) will consult with the Advisory Board and CDPHE to develop a plan. Many opportunities for Recycle Colorado members and stakeholders will be available to contribute to the development of the plan. Watch for announcements in upcoming newsletters.

Congratulations to everyone who made this possible!

More on Colorado Producer Responsibility
Colorado Needs Assessment

Colorado Municipal League & Recycle Colorado Webinar Series on Producer Responsibility Preparation for Local Governments

In 2022, the Colorado Legislature passed legislation to establish a statewide program which will be financed and operated by the producers of consumer products to provide access for recycling services for every residence in Colorado at no financial cost to residents or local governments. For the past 18 months, the program roll-out has advanced rapidly and the plan to execute the program is under development. While we await the release of the draft program plan, there are opportunities for local governments to understand the policy, develop strategies to prepare for implementation, and work with peers on best practices and regional collaboration. To that end, the Colorado Municipal League (CML) is partnering with Recycle Colorado to offer a webinar learning series to provide the latest information, options to prepare local communities, and best practices to optimize local systems.

Beginning in January 2025, CML will host a monthly series of virtual sessions created by Recycle Colorado covering specific topics and case studies to help local governments understand and prepare for the implementation of the EPR program in 2026 and beyond. The schedule and topics are below. We invite you to participate in as many of the sessions as you wish. These sessions are free to members of CML and Recycle Colorado. Registration is required to attend. 

CML Webinar Series Information

Register for CML & Recycle Colorado Producer Responsibility Webinars

  • January 30, 2025 at 2:00PM: Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) 101 
    • Where to begin? This session will provide an EPR 101 overview, present a case study of a citizen survey and outreach, how to get a baseline assessment of your community’s streams and populations, and how to make a plan from there.
Register for Webinar
  • February 26, 2025, 2:00 PM MT: Collection Models
    • What are the options? Communities have options when seeking to improve waste diversion. This session will feature experts on the collection options available to communities and the pros and cons of each.
Register for Webinar
  • March 27, 2025, 2:00 PM MT: End-Markets - The Whole Point of Recycling
    • Where do the materials go? The EPR law requires that the materials collected go to a responsible end-market to make new products. In this session, you will learn how that works and the opportunities for communities in end-markets.
Register for Webinar
  • April 23, 2025, 2:00 PM MT: Partnership Models - You are not alone!
    • Successful partnerships can lead to real results is waste diversion and economic development around circularity. In this session, we will explore partnership opportunities with other jurisdictions, non-profits, and private sector partners to improve diversion systems.
Register for Webinar
  • May 22, 2025, 2:00 PM MT: Local Policy Dive
    • Where does policy fit into EPR? Colorado’s EPR program may create a host of policy options and opportunities for communities to consider to take full advantage of the system. Experts in this session will outline some diversion-specific policy options to enhance the EPR program.
Register for Webinar
  • July 23, 2025, 2:00 PM MT: EPR and The State
    • The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment oversees the EPR program. EPR Program Manager Darla Arians will provide updates from the Department, resources available to communities, and an overview of how the program will impact local governments.
Register for Webinar

If you have any questions or would like to discuss these sessions in advance, please contact Jenifer Freeman at [email protected] or Contact from CML.

Register for First CML Producer Responsibility Webinar

Covered Materials & Producer Definitions

The information provided in CAA's resources linked below is designed to help businesses identify the materials that are captured in Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws and the responsible producer for those materials.The Solid & Hazardous Waste Commission promulgated the primary rules for producers on June 14th, which includes an October 1, 2024 producer registration deadline for producers that expect to be obligated under Colorado’s Producer Responsibility Program for Statewide Recycling Act. Producers who have not yet registered should reach out to CAA as soon as possible. For more information on the rules and regulations pertaining to producers, please visit the rulemaking webpage
Covered Materials and Producer Definitions

Producer Responsibility Program Updates from CDPHE

The FAQ Producer Responsibility Page can be found on CDPHE's Website linked below. Scroll down to find "Frequently asked questions and answers- Producer Responsibility Program" under the documents list. You can find the initial implementation timeline and additional information on CDPHE's website.

For updates from CDPHE on the implementation phase of the producer responsibility program, please sign up by sending an email to [email protected] with the subject line "producer responsibility contact list." For questions about the program or advisory board, please email or call Darla Arians ([email protected], 720-263-1219).

Sign up to Attend Producer Responsibility Advisory Board Meetings

Working group meetings:

  • January 15, 2025 - 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
  • January 23, 2025 - 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
  • February 5, 2025 - 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
  • February 19, 2025 - 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
  • February 27, 2025 - 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
  • March 5, 2025 - 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
  • March 19, 2025 - 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
  • April 2, 2025 - 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
  • April 3, 2025 - 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
  • April 16, 2025 - 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Regular business meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month from 12:30 - 3:30 p.m. Mountain Time (unless otherwise posted). 

  • January 8, 2025  - Register
  • February 12, 2025 
  • March 12, 2025 
  • April 9, 2025 
  • May 14, 2025 
  • June 11, 2025 
  • July 9, 2025 
  • August 13, 2025 
  • September 10, 2025

CDPHE Resources

Producer Responsibility Bill Documents

Summary of Bill Revisions, 5/10/2022
Summary of Bill Revisions, 5/5/2022
Summary of Bill Revisions After Second Reading
Explanation of Added Amendments to the Producer Responsibility Bill
, 4/13/2022
Summary of Bill Revisions, 2/21/2022 to 3/28/2022

March 28th Draft of Producer Responsibility Bill
Summary of Bill Revisions, 01/13/2022 to 2/21/2022
First Draft of Producer Responsibility Bill

Preliminary Bill Language for Producer Responsibility Bill (Submitted to Legislative Service Drafters)

Recycle Colorado's Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Policy Recommendations

Producer Responsibility Informational Documents

Producer Responsibility Fact Sheet
How Local Governments will benefit and be impacted by Producer Responsibility
How Businesses would benefit and be impacted by Producer Responsibility
How Producer Responsibility Will Work in Colorado
Producer Responsibility Key Talking Points

Articles on Producer Responsibility

Exert in the Denver Post
Article from the Colorado Sun
Producer Responsibility Support from the City of Aspen