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In Colorado, unlike states with their own inspection programs, there is no state meat and poultry inspection program for commercial intrastate sales. Therefore, meat processors generally fall into three main categories based on their inspection and regulatory status: federally inspected, retail exempt, and custom exempt. These distinctions determine what the processors can do with the meat (e.g., sell interstate, sell at retail, or process for personal use only). Regulations ensure food safety, humane handling, and proper labeling, with all commercial inspections handled by the federal government. The Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) Inspection and Consumer Services Division oversees custom exempt facilities for sanitation and compliance with state rules, but wholesomeness inspection for commercial meat is federal. Below is a summary of each type, including their key features and regulatory oversight. Note that Colorado does not participate in the USDA's Cooperative Interstate Shipment (CIS) program, as it requires a state inspection program.
These facilities are inspected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA FSIS). They undergo rigorous daily inspections during operations to verify compliance with federal standards for slaughter, processing, sanitation, and humane handling. Products from these processors receive a USDA inspection mark and can be sold and shipped across state lines (interstate commerce), as well as within Colorado (intrastate). This is required for all commercial meat sales, including mandatory inspection for domestic species (cattle, swine, sheep, goats) and voluntary inspection for game and exotics. This is suitable for operations of various sizes targeting local, national, or international markets. Facilities apply directly to USDA FSIS for inspection.
These facilities process already inspected meat (from federally inspected sources) for direct sale to consumers, such as at grocery stores, restaurants, or farmers markets, without daily inspection. They are exempt from continuous FSIS inspection but are subject to periodic, risk-based reviews by USDA FSIS and/or state authorities like CDA for sanitation and compliance. Products can be sold intrastate or interstate if derived from USDA-inspected meat, but with limitations: no more than 25% of sales can be wholesale, and certain processes (e.g., curing, smoking) are restricted for wholesale. This category supports retail operations like butchers or stores that cut, grind, or package meat for end consumers. Slaughter is not typically included.
These facilities process meat exclusively for the animal owner's personal or household use (including non-paying guests and employees), not for commercial sale. They require approval from the CDA and are exempt from daily inspections but undergo periodic reviews by CDA for sanitation, humane handling, and basic standards (e.g., compliance with USDA BSE regulations). Products are marked "Not for Sale" and returned to the owner; selling them is illegal. This is common for farmers, hunters, or individuals processing their own livestock or wild game. Custom poultry processing is also inspected by CDA for sanitation, record-keeping, and labeling, and processed poultry may be sold to individuals and retail establishments under certain conditions.
For starting or operating a facility, consult USDA FSIS for federal applications and CDA for custom exempt approvals and site visits. Contact CDA Inspection and Consumer Services at (303) 867-9200. A list of custom processing facilities is available from CDA. Note that the Ranch to Plate Act (SB21-079) allows ranchers to sell shares of live animals to consumers, with the meat custom processed for the buyers, enabling direct sales without federal inspection for the meat itself. Wild game processing may have additional exemptions if not mixed with commercial meat, and poultry follows similar rules with federal exemptions for small-scale operations.
