LEFTOVERS FOR LIVESTOCK

COLORADO
Colorado allows the feeding of animal-derived and vegetable waste to swine provided that it has been properly heattreated
and fed by a licensed facility. Individuals may feed household garbage to their own swine without heat-treating
it and without obtaining a permit.
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 35-52-101–115 (2015);
8 CCR 1201-1 (2015)
Animals covered
Definition of
“garbage”
Prohibitions
Licensure
Enforcement
Treatment requirements
Relevant state regulatory
body
Swine
All refuse, animal or vegetable, and includes all waste material, byproducts of a kitchen,
restaurant, hospital, hotel, or slaughterhouse, and every refuse accumulation of animal,
fruit, or vegetable matter, liquid or otherwise but excludes such vegetable products as
leaves and tops of vegetable plants which have not been mixed with or exposed to or
which do not contain any other garbage or waste product prior to feeding to swine. § 35-
52-101 (2015). “Garbage” excludes waste from ordinary household operations that is fed
directly to swine on the same premises. 8 CCR 1201-1 (2015).
No feeding untreated garbage to swine. Exception for individuals feeding household
garbage. § 35-52-114 (2015).
An individual or facility must obtain a permit from the state before feeding garbage to
swine. § 35-52-114; 8 CCR 1201-1 (2015).
Any individual or facility that violates this law will lose their permit following a hearing.
§ 35-52-115 (2015). Such individual or facility is also guilty of a misdemeanor and will be
fined $500 or less. § 35-52-111 (2015). Such individual or facility may further be subject
to a civil penalty to be determined in court. § 35-52-111.1 (2015).
The agricultural commissioner is responsible for enforcement of this law, and he or she
may issue a cease and desist order, seek a restraining order, or seek an injunction. § 35-
52-111.2 (2015).
All garbage must be heated for at least 30 minutes or else treated in some other manner
approved by the state. § 35-52-113 (2015).
Colorado Department of Agriculture (§ 35-52-118 (2015)),
https://www.colorado.gov/agmain.
17| Leftovers for Livestock: A Legal Guide for Using Excess Food as Animal Feed August 2016