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ColoradoHB25-11662025 Regular SessionHouse

Efforts to Reduce Food Waste

Sponsored By: Cathy Kipp (Democratic), Lisa Cutter (Democratic), Lisa Feret (Democratic), Ron Weinberg (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Civil LawPublic Health

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Food donors gain broader legal protection

The law expands protection from civil claims and criminal prosecution over food donated to help individuals. Covered donors include farmers, food businesses, correctional facilities, school districts, hospitals, and faith-based groups. Protection covers claims about food’s nature, age, condition, or packaging, including illness or death. It excludes donor conduct that is willful, wanton, or reckless and causes injury or death. Protection also covers faith-based recipients and nonprofits transferring donated food to another nonprofit for distribution. Nonprofits serving donated food remain liable for injuries or deaths, except for Cottage Foods Act food unless they acted unreasonably.

Grocery stores encouraged to clarify labels

Beginning January 1, 2026, grocery stores are encouraged to clearly show ingredients in prepared foods. They are also encouraged to replace “sell by” dates with “best if used or frozen by” dates. Stores are not required to make either change.

Food waste guidance for small businesses

Available Green Business Network funding determines the state health department’s food waste support for businesses. With that funding, the department must provide annual training that includes ways to prevent and reduce food waste. It must also publish food waste guidance on its public website and update it at least annually. The department can choose to offer additional sustainability services based on business needs.

Stores encouraged to offer discounted food

The law encourages food retailers to donate or resell safe food to individuals, families, and local nonprofits serving them. Suggested steps include chilling or freezing safe prepared meals for SNAP shoppers to buy at discounted prices. Retailers are also encouraged to use online apps to sell or donate safe food. Participation is voluntary, so the law guarantees no meals or savings.

Farmers gain protection during donation harvests

Farmers gain protection from damages and criminal prosecution when people enter their land to gather produce for donation. The produce must go to a nonprofit for use or distribution in helping individuals, not only those considered poor. Protection covers injury or death during this gathering, often called gleaning. It does not cover injuries or deaths caused by a farmer’s willful or wanton act or failure to act.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Cathy Kipp

    Democratic • Senate

  • Lisa Cutter

    Democratic • Senate

  • Lisa Feret

    Democratic • House

  • Ron Weinberg

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Andrew Boesenecker

    Democratic • House

  • Alex Valdez

    Democratic • House

  • Brianna Titone

    Democratic • House

  • Chad Clifford

    Democratic • House

  • Eliza Hamrick

    Democratic • House

  • Emily Sirota

    Democratic • House

  • Jennifer Bacon

    Democratic • House

  • Jenny Willford

    Democratic • House

  • Kyle Brown

    Democratic • House

  • Karen McCormick

    Democratic • House

  • Lorena Garcia

    Democratic • House

  • Lesley Smith

    Democratic • House

  • Monica Duran

    Democratic • House

  • Mandy Lindsay

    Democratic • House

  • Manny Rutinel

    Democratic • House

  • Regina English

    Democratic • House

  • Sean Camacho

    Democratic • House

  • Steven Woodrow

    Democratic • House

  • Tisha Mauro

    Democratic • House

  • Dafna Michaelson Jenet

    Democratic • Senate

  • Dylan Roberts

    Democratic • Senate

  • Sen. F. Winter

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Iman Jodeh

    Democratic • Senate

  • James Coleman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Kyle Mullica

    Democratic • Senate

  • Lindsey Daugherty

    Democratic • Senate

  • Larry Liston

    Republican • Senate

  • Matt Ball

    Democratic • Senate

  • Tony Exum

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 112 • No: 7

Senate vote • 4/1/2025

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 34 • No: 1

Senate vote • 3/27/2025

Refer House Bill 25-1166 to the Committee of the Whole and with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar.

Yes: 9 • No: 0

House vote • 2/27/2025

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 57 • No: 6

House vote • 2/20/2025

Refer House Bill 25-1166 to the Committee of the Whole.

Yes: 12 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Governor Signed

    4/18/2025House

  2. Sent to the Governor

    4/11/2025House

  3. Signed by the Speaker of the House

    4/10/2025House

  4. Signed by the President of the Senate

    4/10/2025Senate

  5. Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

    4/1/2025Senate

  6. Senate Second Reading Passed - No Amendments

    3/31/2025Senate

  7. Senate Committee on Health & Human Services Refer Unamended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the Whole

    3/27/2025Senate

  8. Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Health & Human Services

    3/4/2025Senate

  9. House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

    2/27/2025House

  10. House Second Reading Special Order - Passed - No Amendments

    2/26/2025House

  11. House Second Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments

    2/25/2025House

  12. House Committee on Business Affairs & Labor Refer Unamended to House Committee of the Whole

    2/20/2025House

  13. Introduced In House - Assigned to Business Affairs & Labor

    2/3/2025House

Bill Text

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