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HB26-1031 protects the integrity of Colorado’s agriculture industry, protects Colorado farmers from unfair competition
DENVER, CO - The House today passed bipartisan legislation to support Colorado farmers and agriculture by strengthening consumer protections and safeguarding agricultural products grown in Colorado. HB26-1031, sponsored by Representative Matthew Martinez, passed by a unanimous vote of 65-0.
“From Trump’s tariffs to imported Argentinian beef, Colorado farmers and ranchers are already facing considerable headwinds, and this bill would help ensure that outsiders who label their produce as Colorado-grown are held accountable for driving business away from hardworking Colorado farmers,” said Rep. Matthew Martinez, D-Monte Vista. “Pueblo green chile and San Luis Valley potatoes are renowned Colorado products, but current law does not prevent bad actors from slapping ‘Colorado-grown’ labels on out-of-state products. This bipartisan bill would prohibit deceptive trade practices, such as false labelling, to ensure that consumers can feel certain that their dollars are supporting Colorado-grown products.”
HB26-1031 would protect the integrity of Colorado-made products and ensure Colorado producers aren’t undercut by mislabeled products imported out of state. This bill prohibits identifying an agricultural product as being produced in Colorado when selling, marketing, advertising or distributing the product unless the product is grown in the state.
First approved by the interim Water Resources and Agriculture Review Committee, HB26-1031 would ensure fairness for local producers by cracking down on deceptive trade practices that allow out-of-state products to carry Colorado-made labeling and take market share away from real Colorado-grown foods.
Also sponsored by Representative Matt Soper, R-Delta, the bill boosts consumer protections by reassuring Coloradans that their dollars are getting them the local, premium products they expect.
The Trump Administration’s tariffs have driven up costs for Colorado’s businesses, farmers, ranchers, and consumers and limited the available international markets for producers to sell their products. HB26-1031 aims to protect Colorado markets for farmers and ranchers to sell their locally-made products and food.