Colorado Cracks Down on Counterfeit Produce

New law aims to protect state's iconic agricultural products like Palisade peaches and Olathe sweetcorn.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 2:14am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A high-end, photorealistic studio still life featuring an elegant arrangement of premium Colorado produce items like peaches, corn, and chiles, captured with dramatic lighting and deep shadows to symbolize the state's efforts to safeguard the integrity of its renowned agricultural products.Colorado's new law aims to protect the authenticity and reputation of the state's most iconic agricultural products, like Palisade peaches and Olathe sweetcorn.Pueblo Today

Colorado Governor Jared Polis has signed a new law that cracks down on the sale of counterfeit produce, including popular items like Palisade peaches, Olathe sweetcorn, and Pueblo green chiles. The bipartisan House Bill 1031 makes it illegal to falsely label or sell imitation versions of the state's iconic agricultural products.

Why it matters

Colorado's specialty crops like Palisade peaches and Olathe sweetcorn have built up strong regional reputations and consumer demand over decades. This new law is meant to protect the integrity of these products and prevent consumer deception, supporting the state's agricultural economy and producers.

The details

The new law makes it a deceptive trade practice to falsely label or sell products as originating from specific Colorado growing regions like Palisade or Olathe when they are actually imitation or counterfeit versions. Violators could face fines and other penalties. The legislation passed the state legislature unanimously, reflecting broad bipartisan support for safeguarding Colorado's agricultural heritage.

  • Governor Jared Polis signed House Bill 1031 into law on April 9, 2026.

The players

Jared Polis

The Governor of Colorado who signed the new law cracking down on counterfeit produce.

House Bill 1031

The bipartisan legislation passed by the Colorado legislature and signed into law to protect the state's iconic agricultural products from counterfeiting.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

The takeaway

This new law demonstrates Colorado's commitment to supporting its local agricultural producers and protecting the integrity of the state's most renowned food products in the face of counterfeiting threats.