Colorado
Colorado’s Producer Responsibility program for packaging and paper products requires covered producers to join a Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO), and through the PRO, fund and manage the end of life of those materials, which includes collection, processing, and recycling or composting.
CAA was approved by the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) as the PRO that will administer Colorado’s EPR law for packaging and paper products on May 1, 2023. On December 9, 2025, CAA’s final plan was approved by CDPHE.
FAQ
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Implementation must begin within six months of final plan approval. CAA Colorado has opened the request for reimbursement, or RFR, process for entities providing recycling services in the state. Learn more on the reimbursement page.
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Which materials are collected under the program? What if my community doesn’t currently offer collection for those materials?
Covered materials are defined in the Act and include packaging and paper products. The covered materials can be broken down into two lists:
Minimum Recyclable List (MRL) – The list of covered materials that must be collected statewide in a manner that is as convenient as the collection of solid waste.
Additional Materials List (AML) – Covered materials not on the minimum recyclables list that may be collected in different geographic areas through curbside services, drop-off centers or other means.
CAA Colorado recognizes that a phased approach is necessary to collecting and processing items on the MRL and AML. Communities can learn more about this phased approach and see the full MRL and AML in Chapter 7 of the final plan.
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Colorado’s EPR program is projected to expand access to convenient recycling services for to up to 700,000 households and nearly double the recycling rate of paper and packaging in the state. The plan is also expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 1.3 million metric tons of carbon dioxide - equivalent to 278,000 cars’ worth – annually by 2035.
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There is no requirement for governments, tribes or service providers to participate in the EPR program. Eligible service providers that choose to participate in the program will be reimbursed for 100% of the eligible net service costs of provided recycling services as required by the Act. Colorado’s waste service providers and communities that elect to participate in the program will no longer charge consumers for recycling services that are being provided on behalf of CAA, as required by the state law. Learn more about the reimbursement process.
Past and Future Milestones
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June 3, 2022
Governor Polis Signs HB22-1355.
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December 8, 2022
CDPHE Appoints Advisory Board Members.
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May 1, 2023
CDPHE Selects CAA as PRO and Appoints it to the Advisory Board.
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August 2023
CAA Selects HDR and Eunomia Research & Consulting as the Third-Party Contractors to Conduct the Needs Assessment.
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January 24, 2024
CAA Reports Needs Assessment Results to CDPHE.
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March 15, 2024
CDPHE Presents Needs Assessment Findings & Proposed Program Scenario to General Assembly’s Joint Budget Committee.
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April 17, 2024
General Assembly’s Joint Budget Committee Approves CDPHE-Recommended Recycling Scenario.
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October 1, 2024
Colorado Regulatory Deadline for Producers to Register with CAA.
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February 1, 2025
CAA Submits Draft Program Plan Proposal.
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July 31, 2025
CAA Deadline for Data Reporting.
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December 9, 2025
CDPHE Approves CAA’s Final Plan.
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January 1, 2026
Producers Remit Dues to CAA On or Before this Date.
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Early 2026
CAA Begins implementation.
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June 30, 2026
CAA Remits First Administrative Dues to CDPHE.
State Rulemaking Updates
Primary Regulations
The Colorado Solid and Hazardous Waste Commission approved the final rules on June 14, 2024.
Consumer Price Index Rule
Colorado’s Act requires CDPHE to adjust the de minimis small producer exemption based on the Bureau of Labor’s Consumer Price Index annually by July 1.
Eco-modulation Regulations
The finalized eco-modulation ruleset is forthcoming, and more information will be posted to CDPHE’s website as it becomes available.
Details can be found on CDPHE’s Producer Responsibility page and Solid Waste rulemakings page.
Advisory Board
The Advisory Board in Colorado was selected in December of 2022 and first met on Jan. 31, 2023. As of May 1, 2023, CAA was appointed to the non-voting Producer Responsibility Organization seat. The Board provided input to CAA and CDPHE throughout plan development and continues to advise on program plan implementation.
News
Circular Action Alliance (CAA) is proud to announce that the plan to implement Colorado’s House Bill 22-1355, the Producer Responsibility Program for Statewide Recycling Act, was officially approved by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). This approval marks a significant milestone in the state’s transition to a 100% producer-funded, statewide system for recycling packaging and paper products. The final plan reflects the leadership of CAA and the results of collaboration among producers of packaging and paper products, CDPHE, local governments, businesses, nonprofits, recyclers and communities across Colorado. The program is projected to more than double the state’s recycling rate for packaging and paper by 2035.
This fall, Circular Action Alliance (CAA) is proud to sponsor 10 of Colorado Municipal League (CML)’s fall district meetings. These gatherings are a great opportunity for local leaders to come together, share ideas and connect on the issues that matter most in our communities.
Producers selling packaging, paper products, and food serviceware into Colorado must report supply data to Circular Action Alliance (CAA) by July 31, 2025, to remain in compliance with the state’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) law. The reporting requirement is a critical step in the law’s implementation and Colorado’s transition to a circular, producer-funded recycling system. CAA serves as the designated Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) in Colorado.
Circular Action Alliance (CAA) submitted its amended program plan describing how the organization will implement Colorado's new Producer Responsibility Program. The amended program plan incorporates all amendment requests from the Colorado Producer Responsibility for Statewide Recycling Advisory Board, and numerous other changes to ensure clarity based on broader feedback from the advisory board and interest holders. The overall goals and general approach remain unchanged, and CAA remains poised to more than double the state’s recycling rate of packaging and paper by 2035. CAA will share implementation updates and training sessions via a monthly newsletter.
Juri Freeman, Colorado Executive Director at Circular Action Alliance discusses the tools and resources CAA offers to successfully report in Colorado before the July 31, 2025 deadline.
“Two years ago, extended producer responsibility for packaging was still an emerging concept in the United States. With at least five states now working toward implementing laws, a lot has changed.”
“Freeman will hit the ground running when he joins CAA as executive director on June 18. Colorado is in the process of implementing its extended producer responsibility program for packaging and paper products, and CAA is its producer responsibility organization tasked with building the program plan.”
“The program requires applicable product producers to contribute a small amount of funds for recycling of the products and packaging the companies sell in the state. The funds will help manage the end of life of materials through collection, processing and recycling, or composting.
”Colorado designated Circular Action Alliance in May 2023 as the Producer Responsibility Organization to coordinate, fund and manage the statewide recycling system.”
“CAA, a brands-led organization that also has been selected as a producer responsibility organization for California and Oregon, will engage with stakeholders over the next nine months to prepare a program plan aligned with these goals.”
Webinar Archives
CAA hosted a webinar that will guide local governments through the steps to collect and report the data required to receive collection and drop off reimbursement.
CAA hosted a webinar that will guide local governments through the steps to collect and report the data required to receive collection and drop off reimbursement. If you’re a local government that plans to receive funding through Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), this webinar walks through what you need to do in the Service Provider Portal.
CAA hosted a webinar showing recycling collectors how to use the Colorado E&O Portal, a central place to find pre-approved messaging, photos and customizable recycling education materials.
CAA hosted a webinar showing recycling collectors how to use the Colorado E&O Portal, a central place to find pre-approved messaging, photos and customizable recycling education materials. You’ll learn how to download materials and confirm recycling information for the communities in which you operate. This session is also a good fit for nonprofits or other contractors performing education and outreach activities for the local governments participating in Extended Producer Responsibility.
This webinar shows local governments how to use the Colorado E&O Portal, a central place to find pre-approved messaging, photos and customizable recycling education materials. You’ll learn how to download materials, confirm your community’s recycling information and manage staff access.
This webinar shows local governments how to use the Colorado E&O Portal, a central place to find pre-approved messaging, photos and customizable recycling education materials. You’ll learn how to download materials, confirm your community’s recycling information and manage staff access. Local governments are welcome to invite their E&O contractors. The session will be recorded. A second portal training will be offered in June for recycling collectors and others who work across multiple communities.
With Colorado’s Education & Outreach (E&O) statewide campaign launching in June, Circular Action Alliance (CAA) Colorado is hosting a short webinar to help interest-holders understand what’s coming.
Dado que la campaña estatal de Educación y Alcance (E&O por sus siglas en inglés) de Colorado se lanzará en junio, Circular Action Alliance (CAA por sus siglas en inglés) Colorado organizará un breve seminario web para ayudar a las partes interesadas a comprender qué novedades se avecinan.
With Colorado’s Education & Outreach (E&O) statewide campaign launching in June, Circular Action Alliance (CAA) Colorado is hosting a short webinar to help interest-holders understand what’s coming. This session will cover what the statewide campaign includes, launch timing and local resources available to communities.
Dado que la campaña estatal de Educación y Alcance (E&O por sus siglas en inglés) de Colorado se lanzará en junio, Circular Action Alliance (CAA por sus siglas en inglés) Colorado organizará un breve seminario web para ayudar a las partes interesadas a comprender qué novedades se avecinan. Esta sesión abordará el contenido de la campaña estatal, el cronograma de lanzamiento y los recursos locales disponibles para las comunidades.
Circular Action Alliance Colorado hosted a webinar to walk through how compost facility funding works under Colorado’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program.
This recording provides an overview of who is eligible, what compost funding can be used for, and how the application and funding agreement process works, including key steps and timelines.
Circular Action Alliance Colorado hosted a webinar to walk through how compost facility funding works under Colorado’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program.
This recording provides an overview of who is eligible, what compost funding can be used for, and how the application and funding agreement process works, including key steps and timelines.
CAA Colorado hosted a webinar to walk through how the open market residential request for reimbursement (RFR) works under Colorado’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program. This webinar walked through who the open market RFR is for, how the process works, key timelines and what to expect at each step — from completing service profiles to establishing service agreements.
CAA Colorado hosted a webinar to walk through how the open market residential request for reimbursement (RFR) works under Colorado’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program. This webinar walked through who the open market RFR is for, how the process works, key timelines and what to expect at each step — from completing service profiles to establishing service agreements.
This recording is for open market (subscription based) residential service providers and those that may not currently offer recycling to Colorado customers, to learn more about reimbursements. Residential services include collection services provided to single-family, multi-family and homeowners associations households.
Join CAA Colorado for an overview of the Education & Outreach (E&O) program as we prepare to implement the final program plan.
Únete a Circular Action Alliance (CAA) de Colorado para obtener una descripción general del programa de Educación y Divulgación (E&D) sobre reciclaje mientras nos preparamos para implementar el plan final.
Join CAA Colorado for an overview of the recycling Education & Outreach (E&O) program as we prepare to implement the final program plan. This session aims to bring clarity and cohesion by connecting the dots among the statewide, community and collector E&O initiatives funded through EPR. We will present the anticipated timeline that outlines the big picture, helping you understand what to expect moving forward. Don’t miss this opportunity to see how all the pieces fit together as we move toward the 2026 launch of education and outreach. A Q&A session will be offered as part of the event.
Únete a Circular Action Alliance (CAA) de Colorado para obtener una descripción general del programa de Educación y Divulgación (E&D) sobre reciclaje mientras nos preparamos para implementar el plan final. Esta sesión tiene como objetivo brindar claridad y cohesión, conectando las iniciativas de E&D a nivel estatal, comunitario y de recolectores, que son financiadas a través de EPR. Presentaremos el cronograma previsto, que ofrece una visión general y te ayudará a comprender qué esperar en el futuro. No te pierdas esta oportunidad de ver cómo encajan todas las piezas a medida que avanzamos hacia el lanzamiento del programa de educación y divulgación de 2026. La reunión contará con interpretación al español y habrá espacio para que los participantes hagan preguntas.
Join Circular Action Alliance (CAA) Colorado for a detailed walkthrough of the Step 1 Processor Request for Reimbursement (RFR). This session will cover everything processors need to know to prepare and submit Step 1 accurately and on time. We’ll outline each step of the process, review required forms and documentation, and highlight key deadlines to help ensure submissions are complete.
Join Circular Action Alliance (CAA) Colorado for a detailed walkthrough of the Step 1 Processor Request for Reimbursement (RFR). This session will cover everything processors need to know to prepare and submit Step 1 accurately and on time. We’ll outline each step of the process, review required forms and documentation, and highlight key deadlines to help ensure submissions are complete.
Join Circular Action Alliance (CAA) Colorado for an informational webinar designed to help local governments successfully complete the Request for Reimbursement (RFR) process. All local governments in Colorado are encouraged to participate in this webinar, even those that do not directly provide recycling services and those with no recycling services available today.
Join Circular Action Alliance (CAA) Colorado for an informational webinar designed to help local governments successfully complete the Request for Reimbursement (RFR) process. All local governments in Colorado are encouraged to participate in this webinar, even those that do not directly provide recycling services and those with no recycling services available today.
In collaboration with partners C+C and GFM|CenterTable, Circular Action Alliance (CAA) shared progress on the creative approach for education and outreach under Colorado’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program.
In collaboration with partners C+C and GFM|CenterTable, Circular Action Alliance (CAA) shared progress on the creative approach for education and outreach under Colorado’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program. This session engaged interest holders in shaping the statewide multi-media educational campaign that is a key part of doubling Colorado’s recycling rate for packaging and paper. CAA is committed to ensuring this project reflects the voices and expertise of Colorado’s diverse communities, including local governments, tribes, recycling service providers, nonprofits and other interest holders. During this webinar, we discusses CAA's research on existing education and outreach programs, along with additional research conducted this summer.
Circular Action Alliance Colorado hosted a webinar exploring education and outreach under Colorado’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program. Learn more about CAA’s proposed approach to education and outreach, and how local governments can participate. We broke down the process for local governments and discussed opportunities for collaboration.
Circular Action Alliance Colorado hosted a webinar exploring education and outreach under Colorado’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program. Learn more about CAA’s proposed approach to education and outreach, and how local governments can participate. We broke down the process for local governments and discussed opportunities for collaboration.
Find out how your city or county can get reimbursed for recycling services under Colorado’s new EPR law. This webinar breaks down what’s covered, and how to get ready.
Find out how your city or county can get reimbursed for recycling services under Colorado’s new EPR law. This webinar breaks down what’s covered, and how to get ready.
We break down the basics of Colorado’s new producer responsbility law, what it means for local governments, how it may impact your recycling programs, and what steps you can take to prepare. Whether you're new to the concept or looking to stay informed, this introductory session will provide the clarity and context you need.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is reshaping how recycling is managed in Colorado—and local governments play a critical role in this transition. Join us for an informative webinar designed specifically for municipal and county officials, staff, and interest holders. We break down the basics of Colorado’s new producer responsbility law, what it means for local governments, how it may impact your recycling programs, and what steps you can take to prepare. Whether you're new to the concept or looking to stay informed, this introductory session will provide the clarity and context you need.
This is the recording of the webinar Circular Action Alliance (CAA) hosted with HDR covering the key findings from the Colorado Needs Assessment. This webinar was originally presented on February 22, 2024.
This is the recording of the webinar Circular Action Alliance (CAA) hosted with HDR covering the key findings from the Colorado Needs Assessment. This webinar was originally presented on February 22, 2024.
Notices
The Colorado State Board for Circular Action Alliance will meet on Monday, July 13, 2026, from 12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. MT.
For more information, please contact info@circularaction.org
CAA hosted a webinar to help recycling processors such as material recovery facilities and transfer stations use the Service Provider Portal to report required data and submit information needed for reimbursement.
CAA hosted a webinar to help recycling processors such as material recovery facilities and transfer stations use the Service Provider Portal to report required data and submit information needed for reimbursement. If you’re a processor that plans to receive funding through Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), this webinar walks through what you need to do in the portal.
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