Colorado's Producer Responsibility for Recycling Act (HB 22-1355) creates a statewide packaging EPR program requiring producers to fund the collection, transportation, and recycling of packaging and paper products. The program is overseen by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and administered through a designated Producer Responsibility Organization (CPRO). Colorado's program is notable for its emphasis on expanding recycling access to rural and underserved communities and establishing needs assessments to identify infrastructure gaps across the state.
By Kevin Kai Wong, Managing Partner, gCurv Technologies
Packgine automates Colorado EPR registration tracking, data reporting, fee calculation, and deadline management alongside all other US state and EU obligations.
All producers placing packaged goods on the Colorado market must register with the state-designated Colorado Producer Responsibility Organization (CPRO).
Fees are calculated based on packaging material type, weight, and recyclability, with eco-modulation incentives for sustainable formats.
Producers must report packaging material composition, weight, units sold, and recyclability data on an annual cycle through the CPRO.
Fees fund recycling infrastructure expansion in rural and underserved communities as part of the statewide needs assessment.
Phased minimum recycled content requirements for certain packaging types increase over time to stimulate demand for recycled materials.
Non-compliant producers face civil penalties including fines and potential market access restrictions for continued violations.
Determines producer coverage status based on Colorado market sales data
Tracks CPRO registration status and alerts for renewal deadlines
Maps SKU-level packaging data to Colorado's material classification system
Calculates projected fees using current CPRO eco-modulation rate schedules
Generates Colorado-formatted reports ready for CPRO submission
Monitors Colorado EPR deadlines alongside all other jurisdictions in a unified calendar
A producer is defined as a brand owner whose product is sold in packaging in Colorado, or an importer of packaged goods if the brand owner is outside the U.S. The law also covers producers of paper products like newspapers and direct mail.
Colorado designated a single Producer Responsibility Organization to administer the program. Producers must register with the CPRO, which collects fees, manages reporting, and funds recycling infrastructure investments across the state.
Fees are based on the weight and type of packaging material placed on the Colorado market. Eco-modulation adjustments lower fees for easily recyclable materials and increase fees for hard-to-recycle formats.
Colorado places strong emphasis on equitable recycling access, requiring the PRO to fund infrastructure in rural and underserved communities. The program includes a comprehensive statewide needs assessment to identify gaps.
Yes. Packgine manages Colorado EPR compliance simultaneously with all other US state programs and EU PPWR obligations from a single dashboard.
Content reviewed by Kevin Kai Wong, Managing Partner at gCurv Technologies
Manage Colorado packaging EPR alongside all other US states and EU markets from one platform.