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

Producer Responsibility Needs Assessment Progress

NOVEMBER 2023
In partnership with CAA,
HDR and Eunomia Research & Consulting are moving into the analysis, modeling and fact checking phase of the needs assessment, after conducting over 200 stakeholder interviews, completing site visits, and gathering survey responses. Read more.

OCTOBER 2023
Colorado's PRO, Circular Action Alliance, selected HDR Engineering and Eunomia last month to start work on the needs assessment for Colorado Producer Responsibility program for packaging and paper. HDR and Eunomia have been working tirelessly this last month, gathering & sharing information using surveys, webinars, interviews, & tours of recycling facilities in Colorado, to help them understand our recycling systems. With this information, they will develop three scenarios that will help to achieve the intentions of the law and improve recycling access & diversion of materials back into the supply chain.

Recycle Colorado has supported the needs assessment by helping to facilitate webinars and the gathering of information. Be sure to check out the Needs Assessment page to view webinar recordings, access the local government and hauler survey, and stay up to date on the progress. Get Needs Assessment Updates.

 

Circular Action Alliance appointed as the Producer Responsibility Organization for Colorado
Read more on the appointment by CDPHE as the Colorado PRO and Meet the Circular Action Alliance Team. Introduction to Circular Action Alliance and EPR Laws Webinar - Access with passcode CAAWebinar1!

 

If you have any questions, reach out to [email protected].

 

CDPHE Seeking Applicant for Producer Responsibility Advisory Board

The Producer Responsibility Program for Statewide Recycling is accepting applications for a vacancy on the Producer Responsibility Advisory Board. This individual will represent the manufacturer of recycled paper products seat and continue in a two-year term that ends in December of 2024. We are accepting applications until September 11 or until the seat is filled.

This representative will join a diverse board that’s working to ensure the program meets the needs of local Colorado communities and businesses. The board, which began meeting in January of 2023, includes representatives from municipalities, counties, materials recovery facilities, compost facilities, environmental justice groups, and an array of other stakeholder groups. Board members must have relevant knowledge and expertise in recycling programs or the impacts of covered materials.

The Producer Responsibility Program requires companies that sell products in packaging, paper products, and food serviceware to fund a statewide recycling system to recycle those materials. One of the program objectives is to develop a convenient, cost-effective system with free and equitable recycling for all Coloradans. 

To apply, please visit the Producer Responsibility Advisory Board webpage. For questions about the application process, contact Darla Arians at 303.692.3542 or [email protected]

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 ([email protected]) or call (720-263-1219) Darla Arians.

Sign up to Attend Advisory Board Meetings

January 26th, 10:00am - 12:00pm
February 8th, 12:30pm - 2:30pm
March 7th, 10:30am - 12:00pm
March 8th 12:30pm - 3:00pm
April 10th 12:30pm - 2:00pm
May 10th 12:30pm - 2:00pm
June 14th 12:30pm - 2:00pm
July 12th 12:30pm - 2:30pm
August 9th 12:30pm-2:30pm
September 6th12:30pm-2:30pm
October 11th, 9:30am-4:00pm 

October 25th, 2:00pm-3:30pm
November 8th, 12:30pm-2:30pm

CDPHE Updates & Resources

The advisory board want your help reaching all entities that:
1) may be impacted by the Producer Responsibility Program for Statewide Recycling Act
2) may be interested in participating in formal and informal rulemaking processes. 
Please forward this message to any organizations and individuals you believe may benefit from learning about the program. Key resources to share include our Producer Responsibility Advisory Board webpage, our producer responsibility listserv signup, and the Producer Responsibility Organization’s website.

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