A $0.10 fee on plastic and paper checkout bags is required at large grocery, convenience, and retail stores (restaurants and small, Colorado-only stores with three or fewer locations are excluded) starting Jan. 1, 2023. The retailer will keep $0.04 of the fee, and municipalities or counties will keep $0.06 of the fee to implement and enforce the law as well as use it for recycling, composting, and waste diversion programs and education. Recipients of federal or state food assistance—such as EBT, SNAP, or WIC—DO NOT have to pay the bag fee.

Ban on plastic carry-out bags at large grocery, convenience, and retail stores (restaurants and small Colorado-only stores with three or fewer locations are excluded). 

Ban on polystyrene (aka Styrofoam) containers and cups for ready-to-eat foods are banned at all restaurants and schools.

Retailers are required to remit the total amount of fees collected and owed to the city (or county) since Jan. 1, 2023, and to continue remitting on a quarterly basis. Retailers can remit prior to this date if the municipality or county has a system in place to receive the funds.

Municipalities and counties can enact, implement, and enforce more stringent bag and polystyrene laws and enact, implement, and enforce laws that prohibit, restrict, or mandate the use or sale of plastic materials, containers, packaging, or labeling.

Toolkit to Implement Plastic and Paper Checkout Bag Fees


Step-by-step guidelines and resources to get your municipality, local businesses, and community ready!

Bag Fees Guide for Municipalities

Steps municipalities can take to prepare for the implementation of bag fees.

Bag Fees Guide for Businesses

Resources to help businesses prepare for implementing the PPRA bag fee.

Bag Fees Guide for Communities

Resources for municipalities to raise community awareness about the bag fee.