Colorado prohibits retail food establishments from using expanded polystyrene foam containers for ready-to-eat food and beverages under the Plastic Pollution Reduction Act.
As part of the Plastic Pollution Reduction Act and CRS 25-17-505, Colorado banned the use of polystyrene foam containers by retail food establishments effective January 1, 2024. Restaurants, cafes, food trucks, and grocery prepared-food counters may not serve ready-to-eat food in expanded polystyrene clamshells, cups, or trays. Existing inventory provisions allowed sell-through during 2024. The ban does not apply to packaging used by manufacturers for raw or processed goods. Cities may enact additional restrictions on other foam or single-use items.
Enforcement begins with warnings; civil penalties typically range from $250 to $500 per violation, with continued violations subject to higher fines.
See how Castle Rock's polystyrene foam rules rules stack up against other locations.
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