Colorado enacts law to curb counterfeit produce and bear‑luring

Effective August 12, Colorado’s new legislation makes it a deceptive trade practice to market fruits or vegetables as “Colorado‑grown” when they were produced elsewhere. House Bill 1031, signed by Governor Jared Polis on April 8, 2026, also bars the use of the “Colorado Proud” logo without state Department of Agriculture approval and imposes fines of up to $20,000 for violations. The bill, championed by Rep. Matt Soper, responds to concerns from the Palisade Chamber of Commerce and producers of iconic crops such as Palisade peaches, Olathe sweetcorn and Pueblo green chiles.

A companion measure, House Bill 1342, raises the penalty for knowingly luring black bears to $5,000 after a second offense, aiming to reduce the 15 % rise in human‑bear conflicts reported by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (5,229 incidents in 2025). Both laws also expand financial aid programs for Colorado farmers and ranchers.

The legislation is intended to protect the state’s agricultural reputation, support rural economies, and lessen wildlife‑human encounters.