Single-Use Bag Fee

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Starting in 2024, Single-Use Plastic Bags will No Longer be Allowed!

As of January 1, 2023, a 10-cent bag fee was implemented for single-use plastic and paper bags at major retail businesses. This complies with House Bill 21-1162, the Plastic Pollution Reduction Act (PPRA), signed into law on July 7, 2021.

2024 updates:

  • Prohibition of single-use plastic carryout bags in large stores from January 1, 2024.
  • Restaurants and small stores with three or fewer locations in Colorado are exempt.
  • Stores may provide recycled paper carryout bags for a 10-cent fee.
  • Large stores must charge customers 10 cents for each paper and/or plastic carryout bag from January 1, 2023.
  • Purchasing plastic carryout bags for large stores is prohibited from January 1, 2024.
  • All plastic carryout bags will be banned in large stores from June 1, 2024.

Affected businesses:

  • Grocery stores and supermarkets
  • Major retailers
  • Major convenience stores
  • Clothing stores
  • Hardware stores
  • Other franchise or chain stores outside of Colorado
  • Major liquor stores

Exemptions:

  • Participants in federal or state food assistance programs
  • Farmers markets
  • Laundry or dry-cleaning services
  • Bulk stores
  • Smaller businesses with three or fewer locations
  • Pharmacies
  • Bags used for in-store items like produce, bulk items, candy, small hardware items, meat, bakery, or floral items

Additional information:

  • Display signage and provide transaction receipts detailing the number and type of bags, along with fees charged.
  • Stores must use 100% recycled or postconsumer content paper carryout bags.
  • Stores must remit 60% of total fees collected to the City of Littleton quarterly to support recycling, waste diversion programs, and related outreach and educational activities.
  • Stores may retain 40% of total fees collected.
  • Failure to implement requirements may result in fines up to $1,000 per customer transaction. 

For more information on this mandate please reference the Colorado HB21-1162 or the Colorado Department of Revenue. For additional resources, reference the business guide put together by Eco-cycle.

View the single-use bag fee instructions and form(PDF, 151KB)

Forms

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