State rules

Can you sell backyard eggs in Colorado?

Yes. Under 250 dozen a month, sold on your farm, at a farmers' market or through a CSA, needs no state egg license. Selling to stores or restaurants needs a Class I license and graded eggs.

Read from 6 official sources32 passages quotedChecked October 6, 2026

At a glance

License

Depends how you sell

Small-flock line

Under 250 dozen a month

Farmers markets

With conditions

Cartons

Reuse with conditions

In plain English

Colorado's line is 250 dozen eggs a month. A person who produces chicken eggs and sells fewer than 250 dozen a month, only on the farm where they were laid, at a farmers' market or through a community-supported agriculture (CSA) program, is exempt from the state egg law and needs no Department of Agriculture license. The exemption still comes with rules: CDA says every egg offered for sale must be washed by its method and held between 33°F and 41°F, and eggs taken to a farmers' market must travel clean and cold and carry a label with the address where they were laid, the packing date and a safe handling statement ending 'These eggs do not come from a government-approved source.' Cartons may not carry another seller's name or marks. Selling to a grocery store, restaurant or institution is different: with under 3,000 hens you need a Class I Egg Producer license, an inspection, candled and graded eggs, and cartons labeled with grade, size, pack date and your name and address. CDA adds that retail food rules may also require a retail food license, a question for the state health department (CDPHE).

A sourced reading of Colorado's rules, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) ((303) 869-9284) before you sell.

Do you need a license?

Depends on how and how much you sellUnder 250 dozen a month
  • Sell only on the premises where the eggs were produced, at a farmers' market, or through a community-supported agricultural organization.C.R.S. § 35-21-105(1)(a)
  • Sell less than two hundred fifty dozen poultry (chicken) eggs per month.C.R.S. § 35-21-105(1)(a)
  • Transporting eggs to a farmers' market or similar venue: a sanitary vehicle enclosed against extreme heat or cold, plus the department's refrigeration, transport and washing rules.C.R.S. §§ 35-21-105(2)(a), 35-21-103(3)
  • Farmers' market packages labeled with the address where the eggs originated and the packing date, and, for eggs not treated for salmonella, the safe handling statement ending 'These eggs do not come from a government-approved source.'.C.R.S. § 35-21-105(2)(b)
  • Wash in potable water at 110°F or more without soaking, rinse at 115°F or more, and sanitize (for example 100–200 ppm chlorine); this rule names persons who sell at a farmers market or CSA.8 CCR 1202-10, Rule 2.2
  • CDA: all eggs offered for sale must be washed by its guidelines and kept refrigerated between 33°F and 41°F.CDA Egg Producers
  • No carton showing filth or another person's trademark, design or identification.8 CCR 1202-10, Rule 4.2
  • Duck, quail and other non-chicken eggs fall outside the statutory chicken-egg exemption; CDA says their producers must follow the licensing, storage, temperature, cleaning and carton-labeling rules, though grading and sizing are not required.C.R.S. §§ 35-21-101(13.5), 35-21-105(1)(b); CDA Eggs
  • Selling to a grocery store, restaurant or other institution with under 3,000 hens requires a Class I Egg Producer license and inspection; eggs candled and graded, cartons clean with no previous producer's identification and labeled with grade, size, packing date and business name and address.CDA Egg Producers; C.R.S. § 35-21-104
The exact wording
“(1) (a) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, a person who produces and sells only on the premises at which the poultry eggs were produced, at a farmers' market, or through a community-supported agricultural organization, less than two hundred fifty dozen poultry eggs per month is exempt from this part 1;”

Where you can sell

From home or the farm

With conditions

Exempt from the egg law and CDA licensing when you sell fewer than 250 dozen a month on the premises where the eggs were laid (C.R.S. § 35-21-105). CDA still asks that eggs be washed by its method and kept at 33–41°F.

Farmers markets

With conditions

Exempt from CDA licensing under 250 dozen a month, but eggs must be transported clean and cold and labeled with the origin address, packing date, safe handling statement and 'These eggs do not come from a government-approved source.' The washing rule applies to farmers' market sellers by name. CDA says retail food rules may also require a retail food establishment license; the Colorado Cottage Foods Act also lets a person sell whole eggs (up to 250 dozen a month, meeting § 35-21-105), and from January 1, 2027 cottage food producers must register yearly with CDPHE.

Stores and restaurants

License needed

The exemption covers only farm, farmers' market and CSA sales. To sell to a grocery store, restaurant or institution, a producer with under 3,000 hens needs a Class I Egg Producer license (fee set by the Agricultural Commission; license year January 1 to December 31) and an on-farm inspection of washing, candling, grading, storage and labeling. Eggs may not be sold to a consumer or restaurant more than 45 days after the pack date.

Also check with: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) Retail Food Program, or your local public health agency, about a retail food license

Cartons, labels and handling

Cartons

Reused cartons are allowed, with conditions.

“It is unlawful for any person to sell or offer for sale eggs in any case, carton, or container … on which there is printed, stamped, or affixed any trademark, design, or other identification of any person other than the person selling such eggs.”

Refrigeration

41°F or colder where the rule applies.

“All eggs offered for sale must be washed according to the guidelines found below. All eggs offered for sale must be kept under refrigeration between 33°F and 41°F.”

The label must show

  • Address where the eggs originated
  • Packing date
  • Safe handling instructions (eggs not treated for salmonella)
  • 'These eggs do not come from a government-approved source.'
  • Class I (stores and restaurants): grade, size, packing date, business name and address

The carton label maker prints these lines with the federal safe handling statement.

Grading

Ungraded sales are allowed only in some cases.

Exempt small producers (under 250 dozen a month, farm, farmers' market or CSA) are outside the grading requirement, and the rules also excuse small Class I dealers selling under 250 dozen a month to farmers' markets, CSAs or household consumers from grade and size labels (8 CCR 1202-10, Rule 3.4). Eggs sold to stores and restaurants must be candled and graded into Colorado consumer grades based on USDA standards (C.R.S. § 35-21-102; CDA).

Washing

Required. CDA says all eggs offered for sale must be washed by its guidelines, and the rule that binds farmers' market and CSA sellers sets the method: potable water, wash water at least 110°F with no soaking, rinse at least 115°F, then sanitize (100–200 ppm chlorine, 3% hydrogen peroxide, or a labeled egg sanitizer) (8 CCR 1202-10, Rule 2.2).

Federal rules apply on top of Colorado's: the four federal egg rules. Pricing your dozen? The egg price calculator works it out from your feed bill.

What changed recently

  1. 2026-06-04 · HB 26-1033, the 'Tamale Act' (Session Laws 2026, ch. 375), was signed June 4, 2026. Its changes to the Colorado Cottage Foods Act take effect January 1, 2027: cottage food producers must register annually with CDPHE before selling, and labels carry a registration number. The act keeps whole eggs on the list, capped at 250 dozen a month and subject to § 35-21-105. Source
  2. 2025-01-01 · Colorado's cage-free housing standard (C.R.S. § 35-21-203(1)(b)) took effect January 1, 2025. Farms with 3,000 or fewer egg-laying hens are exempt (§ 35-21-204(2)(a)). A 2025 bill to repeal the standards (HB 25-1074) was postponed indefinitely on January 27, 2025. Source

Common questions

Do I need a license to sell eggs from my backyard chickens in Colorado?
Yes. Under 250 dozen a month, sold on your farm, at a farmers' market or through a CSA, needs no state egg license. Selling to stores or restaurants needs a Class I license and graded eggs. Small-flock line: under 250 dozen a month. The conditions, and the law they come from, are on this page.
Can I sell eggs at a farmers market in Colorado?
Allowed with conditions. Exempt from CDA licensing under 250 dozen a month, but eggs must be transported clean and cold and labeled with the origin address, packing date, safe handling statement and 'These eggs do not come from a government-approved source.' The washing rule applies to farmers' market sellers by name. CDA says retail food rules may also require a retail food establishment license; the Colorado Cottage Foods Act also lets a person sell whole eggs (up to 250 dozen a month, meeting § 35-21-105), and from January 1, 2027 cottage food producers must register yearly with CDPHE. Also check with Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) Retail Food Program, or your local public health agency, about a retail food license.
Can I reuse egg cartons in Colorado?
With conditions. The rule reads: "It is unlawful for any person to sell or offer for sale eggs in any case, carton, or container … on which there is printed, stamped, or affixed any trademark, design, or other identification of any person other than the person selling such eggs."
What has to be on the carton label in Colorado?
Address where the eggs originated, Packing date, Safe handling instructions (eggs not treated for salmonella), 'These eggs do not come from a government-approved source.', Class I (stores and restaurants): grade, size, packing date, business name and address. The rule reads: "(b) Affix to the egg package a label containing the address at which the eggs originated and the date on which the eggs were packaged. … Any eggs not treated for salmonella must also include the following statement on the package: "Safe Handling Instructions: To prevent illness from bacteria, keep eggs refrigerated, cook eggs until yolks are firm, and cook any foods containing eggs thoroughly. These eggs do not come from a government-approved source."" The federal safe handling statement applies as well; our carton label maker prints all of it.
Do eggs I sell in Colorado have to be refrigerated?
Yes, at 41°F or colder. The rule reads: "All eggs offered for sale must be washed according to the guidelines found below. All eggs offered for sale must be kept under refrigeration between 33°F and 41°F."
Sources
Read the 32 passages this page is built on
  • “(1) (a) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, a person who produces and sells only on the premises at which the poultry eggs were produced, at a farmers' market, or through a community-supported agricultural organization, less than two hundred fifty dozen poultry eggs per month is exempt from this part 1;”

    C.R.S. § 35-21-105 · read 2026-10-06

  • “A person transporting eggs for sale at a farmers' market or similar venue under subsection (1) of this section shall: (a) Comply with the transport requirements of section 35-21-103 (3) and any rules, including rules requiring refrigeration, promulgated under this part 1 regarding the safe transport and washing of eggs; and”

    C.R.S. § 35-21-105 · read 2026-10-06

  • “(b) Affix to the egg package a label containing the address at which the eggs originated and the date on which the eggs were packaged.”

    C.R.S. § 35-21-105 · read 2026-10-06

  • “Any eggs not treated for salmonella must also include the following statement on the package: "Safe Handling Instructions: To prevent illness from bacteria, keep eggs refrigerated, cook eggs until yolks are firm, and cook any foods containing eggs thoroughly. These eggs do not come from a government-approved source."”

    C.R.S. § 35-21-105 · read 2026-10-06

  • “Every vehicle used to transport eggs shall be maintained in a sanitary condition and shall be enclosed to protect eggs from extreme heat or cold.”

    C.R.S. § 35-21-105 · read 2026-10-06

  • “Every person selling poultry eggs or other eggs within this state shall obtain from the department a dealer's license for each place where the business is conducted.”

    C.R.S. § 35-21-105 · read 2026-10-06

  • “All shell eggs shall be edible eggs, and shall be candled and graded into Colorado consumer grades.”

    C.R.S. § 35-21-105 · read 2026-10-06

  • “"Poultry eggs", "shell eggs", or "eggs" means shell eggs of the domesticated chicken.”

    C.R.S. § 35-21-105 · read 2026-10-06

  • “The commissioner may promulgate rules exempting small producers of other eggs or dealers of other eggs from any provision of this part 1 and setting the conditions for the exemption;”

    C.R.S. § 35-21-105 · read 2026-10-06

  • “Sections 35-21-104 and 35-21-107 (2) and this section are repealed, effective September 1, 2031.”

    C.R.S. § 35-21-105 · read 2026-10-06

  • “The production in the state, sale in the state, or transport for sale in the state of shell eggs by a farm owner or operator with annual shell egg production from three thousand or fewer egg-laying hens”

    C.R.S. § 35-21-105 · read 2026-10-06

  • “On and after January 1, 2025, a farm owner or operator shall not knowingly confine an egg-laying hen in an enclosure: (I) That is not a cage-free housing system;”

    C.R.S. § 35-21-105 · read 2026-10-06

  • “If you plan to sell fewer than 250 dozen eggs per month of your own flock's eggs on the farm, at a farmer's market, or through a community-supported agricultural organization or similar venue, then you are exempt from licensing by the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA).”

    CDA: Egg Producers (Small Flock Egg Producers) · read 2026-10-06

  • “All eggs offered for sale must be washed according to the guidelines found below. All eggs offered for sale must be kept under refrigeration between 33°F and 41°F.”

    CDA: Egg Producers (Small Flock Egg Producers) · read 2026-10-06

  • “If your flock size is under 3,000 domesticated chicken hens, and you wish to sell your eggs to a grocery store, restaurant, or other institution, then a Class I Egg Producer license is required and your operation will be inspected.”

    CDA: Egg Producers (Small Flock Egg Producers) · read 2026-10-06

  • “use clean cartons which do not have any previous producer's identification on them.”

    CDA: Egg Producers (Small Flock Egg Producers) · read 2026-10-06

  • “Accurate Grade (AA, A, or B) Size (Peewee, Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large or Jumbo) Packing Date, and Business name and address”

    CDA: Egg Producers (Small Flock Egg Producers) · read 2026-10-06

  • “The Colorado Retail Food Establishment Rules and Regulations may also require egg sellers to hold a retail food establishment license. Please contact CDPHE Retail Food Program for more information.”

    CDA: Egg Producers (Small Flock Egg Producers) · read 2026-10-06

  • “The egg packages must be labeled with: The address where the eggs originated The packaging date”

    CDA: Egg Producers (Small Flock Egg Producers) · read 2026-10-06

  • “Please note that any person who produces and sells less than 250 dozen per month is exempted from licensing with the State of Colorado.”

    CDA: Eggs · read 2026-10-06

  • “Producers of other avian species eggs must comply with current egg regulations such as licensing, storage/transport, temperatures, cleaning/sanitizing eggs, and using egg cartons that are labeled in accordance with the rules. Eggs from other avian species are not required to be graded or sized.”

    CDA: Eggs · read 2026-10-06

  • “All Class I Dealers and persons who produce and sell eggs at a farmers market or community supported agricultural organization must comply with the following requirements.”

    8 CCR 1202-10 (Colorado Egg Law rules, effective June 15, 2021) · read 2026-10-06

  • “Must use potable water to wash and sanitize eggs. … The wash water must be at a minimum temperature of 110° F. Eggs shall not be allowed to stand or soak in the wash water. … Cleaned eggs must be rinsed with water at a minimum temperature of 115° F.”

    8 CCR 1202-10 (Colorado Egg Law rules, effective June 15, 2021) · read 2026-10-06

  • “If a chlorine or sodium hypochlorite solution is used to clean eggs the solution must be of a concentration of not less than 100 PPM nor more than 200 PPM of available chlorine.”

    8 CCR 1202-10 (Colorado Egg Law rules, effective June 15, 2021) · read 2026-10-06

  • “It is unlawful for any person to sell or offer for sale eggs in any case, carton, or container … on which there is printed, stamped, or affixed any trademark, design, or other identification of any person other than the person selling such eggs.”

    8 CCR 1202-10 (Colorado Egg Law rules, effective June 15, 2021) · read 2026-10-06

  • “Every dealer shall store, display, or otherwise maintain eggs at an ambient temperature of no more than forty-one degrees Fahrenheit (41° F), and no less than thirty-three degrees Fahrenheit (33° F).”

    8 CCR 1202-10 (Colorado Egg Law rules, effective June 15, 2021) · read 2026-10-06

  • “except that Class I Dealers selling fewer than 250 dozen eggs per month to a farmer’s market, community sustained agriculture organization or directly to the household consumer are exempt from these requirements.”

    8 CCR 1202-10 (Colorado Egg Law rules, effective June 15, 2021) · read 2026-10-06

  • “No eggs may be offered for sale or sold to a consumer or restaurant more than 45 days after the pack date.”

    8 CCR 1202-10 (Colorado Egg Law rules, effective June 15, 2021) · read 2026-10-06

  • “A person may sell whole eggs under this section; except that a person may not sell more than two hundred fifty dozen whole eggs per month under this section. A person selling whole eggs must meet the requirements of section 35-21-105, C.R.S.”

    C.R.S. § 25-4-1614 (Colorado Cottage Foods Act) · read 2026-10-06

  • “(8) (a) A PRODUCER SHALL ANNUALLY REGISTER WITH THE DEPARTMENT BEFORE SELLING ANY FOOD UNDER THIS SECTION .”

    leg.colorado.gov · read 2026-10-06

  • “section 25-4-1614, Colorado Revised Statutes, amended in section 2 of this act, and section 35-36-102, Colorado Revised Statutes, amended in section 6 of this act, take effect January 1, 2027.”

    leg.colorado.gov · read 2026-10-06

  • “Approved: June 4, 2026”

    leg.colorado.gov · read 2026-10-06

What we couldn't confirm
  • The statute was read in the official Colorado Revised Statutes 2024 PDF (leg.colorado.gov, 'Uncertified Printout', through the 2024 session); no 2025 edition was posted at the expected URL. 2025–2026 changes were checked by search: HB 26-1033 (cottage foods, signed 6/4/2026) was found and read; HB 25-1074 (cage-free repeal) was postponed indefinitely in House committee on 01/27/2025 (status 'Lost' on leg.colorado.gov). No 2025–2026 amendment to C.R.S. §§ 35-21-101 to 108 was found.
  • CDA's Eggs page says anyone selling 'less than 250 dozen per month is exempted from licensing', without the statute's venue limits (on the premises, farmers' market, CSA); CDA's Egg Producers page adds 'or similar venue'. The statute's wording is narrower; this record follows the statute.
  • Temperature: CDA says all eggs offered for sale must be held at 33–41°F; the statute leaves the temperature to rule, and 8 CCR 1202-10 Rule 1.1 sets 33–41°F for dealers (delivery trucks 45°F, Rule 1.3). Whether Rule 1.1 binds exempt producers directly is not stated; CDA's guidance is used (maxF 41).
  • Whether an exempt egg seller at a farmers' market also needs a retail food establishment license from CDPHE or a local health agency was not determined (CDA says it 'may'); the Cottage Foods Act's whole-egg clause may be the route that avoids it, and from January 1, 2027 that route requires annual CDPHE registration. Whether the act's food safety course and home-kitchen label apply to egg-only sellers is unclear.
  • 8 CCR 1202-10 current version is effective June 15, 2021 (SOS rule page). The Class I fee amount was not found on the pages read (the license application is a Google Doc, not fetched).
  • Non-chicken eggs: the statutory exemption in § 35-21-105(1)(a) covers 'poultry eggs' (chickens); CDA says other avian egg producers must follow licensing and other rules. Any rule exempting small producers of other eggs under § 35-21-105(1)(b) was not found in 8 CCR 1202-10.

Selling across the state line?

The rules change at the border. Here's where Colorado's neighbors draw the line.

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No license for small salesDepends how you sellRegistration or licenseNot stated or rechecking

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