Colorado raw milk reference

Raw milk laws in Colorado.

Herd-share only in Colorado. Only herd shares are legal. Producers must register, label products with health warnings, and document herd testing.

Find raw milk in Colorado All 50 states

Last reviewed: 2026-05-08. Source: Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund. Verify with the Colorado Department of Agriculture before buying or selling.
Tier
Herd-share only
Retail legal
No
On-farm legal
No
Herd share legal
Yes
Pet food allowed
Yes (separate licensing)

What Colorado actually allows

Only herd shares are legal. Producers must register, label products with health warnings, and document herd testing.

Legal channels for Colorado raw milk buyers: herd shares or cow shares.

Find a working dairy in Colorado

Live directory, filtered to raw milk in your area.

Find raw milk in Colorado

How to actually buy raw milk in Colorado

Retail and direct on-farm sales are not legal in Colorado, but herd shares are. You purchase an ownership share in the herd from a participating dairy, then pay a monthly boarding fee. The milk you receive is technically your own, not a "sale," and is legal under the state's herd-share rules. Use the live directory to find dairies in Colorado that offer herd shares.

Other herd-share only states

Frequently asked questions

Is raw milk legal in Colorado?

Herd-share only in Colorado. Only herd shares are legal. Producers must register, label products with health warnings, and document herd testing.

Where can I buy raw milk in Colorado?

In Colorado the legal channels are: herd shares or cow shares. Use the farm-to-door directory filtered to Colorado to find working dairies near you.

Are herd shares legal in Colorado?

Yes. Herd shares are recognized in Colorado. The buyer purchases an ownership interest in the herd, then pays a monthly boarding fee for the milk they receive.

Can I bring raw milk into Colorado from another state?

Federal law prohibits selling raw milk across state lines for human consumption, but does not prohibit possession or personal consumption. You may legally bring raw milk you bought in a legal state into Colorado for your own use. You may not legally resell it.