HB 25-1166

House Bill 25-1166, also known as "Efforts to Reduce Food Waste," aims to help reduce food waste in Colorado by requiring the Department of Public Health and Environment to provide annual training on food waste prevention strategies and create a guidance document available online. Starting January 1, 2026, grocery stores will be encouraged to clearly label prepared foods with ingredients and use "best if used or frozen by" dates instead of "sell-by" dates. The bill also expands legal protections for those who donate food to faith-based organizations, offering them immunity from liability even if the donated food causes illness or harm. This signed bill is now law and will impact grocery stores, food donors, and recipients starting in 2026.

Official Summary

The act requires the department of public health and environment (department), to the extent that funding is available as part of the department's green business network, to: Provide annual training that includes food waste prevention and reduction strategies; Develop a food waste reduction guidance document (document); Place the document on the department's public website; and Update the document at least annually. The act suggests means by which retail food establishments may donate or resell safe food. The act states that, on and after January 1, 2026, grocery stores are encouraged to: Clearly display the ingredients of items of prepared food; and Use "best if used or frozen by" dates rather than "sell by" dates upon prepared items of food. Current law provides civil and criminal immunity to a farmer, retail food establishment, correctional facility, school district, hospital, or processor, distributor, wholesaler, or retailer of food that donates items of food to a nonprofit organization for use or distribution in providing assistance to individuals in need. The act extends this immunity to apply to: Faith-based organizations that donate food; and Food donations to faith-based organizations and individuals. The act also clarifies that the immunity from liability applies regardless of whether the donated food is alleged to have caused illness or death. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

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