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
Webinar Archives
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.
Click here for slides