Food Plan Organizer or Meat Processor Bond - Statewide in Colorado
Table of Contents
Brief Summary
Before you buy this bond, know its history. Colorado's statutory bond for food plan sellers was repealed in 2018, so talk to the Colorado Department of Agriculture first. If the department or another party still asks you for a food plan or meat sales bond, we can write it quickly once you have their required amount and wording.
Colorado once required a surety bond from businesses that sold meat through food plans. The requirement moved in 2009 from the Custom Processing of Meat Animals Act to the Sale of Meat Act, where C.R.S. 35-33.5-303 required sellers of home food service plans to post a bond set by the Commissioner of Agriculture, up to $50,000. The entire Sale of Meat Act, article 33.5 of title 35, was repealed by HB 18-1183 effective March 22, 2018.
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How to Apply for a Food Plan Organizer or Meat Processor Bond:
- Contact the Colorado Department of Agriculture, Inspection and Consumer Services Division, and confirm whether a bond is being requested and in what amount.
- Get the exact obligee name and any required bond wording from the party asking for the bond.
- Have your legal business name, address and license number if you hold one.
- Complete the bond application and review the quoted premium.
- Pay the premium and deliver the signed bond to the obligee.
Detailed Information About the Colorado Food Plan Organizer or Meat Processor Bond:
The requirement was repealed
The most important fact for anyone looking at this bond is that the Colorado statute behind it no longer exists. The Colorado Revised Statutes show article 33.5 of title 35, the Sale of Meat Act, as repealed in full by HB 18-1183, effective March 22, 2018. That article held the license and bond rules for sellers of home food service plans.
How the bond used to work
Before 2009, food plan and meat sales licensing sat in part 4 of the Custom Processing of Meat Animals Act. Section 35-33-403, titled License fees and evidence of financial responsibility, was repealed by SB 09-117 effective April 16, 2009. The same bill created the Sale of Meat Act and moved the home food service plan rules there.
Under the 2009 law, a home food service plan was an arrangement to sell and deliver food that included meat, made through a personal meeting at the buyer's home. Anyone selling these plans needed a license from the Colorado Department of Agriculture. Before the license issued, C.R.S. 35-33.5-303 required a surety bond in an amount set by the commissioner, not to exceed $50,000, payable to the State of Colorado in favor of every consumer who bought a plan. The bond guaranteed compliance with the act, the faithful fulfillment of all contracts and proper conduct in selling and advertising the plans. Consumers hurt by fraud or a violation could, with the commissioner's written consent, sue on the bond.
Custom meat processors today
The Department of Agriculture still licenses custom meat, wild game and poultry processors under C.R.S. 35-33-101 to 35-33-407. Its program page lists license fees and an annual January 1 to December 31 license period. If you were asked for this bond in connection with a processor license or any food plan sales, confirm the current requirement, amount and form with the department's Inspection and Consumer Services Division before the bond is issued.
Eligibility and Requirements for a Colorado Food Plan Organizer or Meat Processor Bond:
- Bond amount set by the obligee. The repealed statute capped it at $50,000.
- A surety company authorized to do business in Colorado.
- Business name on the bond matching the license or contract it supports.
- Owner credit review, which shapes the premium.
Colorado Food Plan Organizer or Meat Processor Bond FAQs:
No statute requires it now. C.R.S. 35-33.5-303, the home food service plan bond, was repealed along with the rest of the Sale of Meat Act by HB 18-1183, effective March 22, 2018. Its predecessor, C.R.S. 35-33-403, was repealed in 2009.
The Commissioner of Agriculture set the amount, up to a maximum of $50,000, under the 2009 version of the law.
Consumers who bought a home food service plan. It ran to the State of Colorado in favor of every buyer and covered losses from fraud, deceit or violations of the act.
The Department of Agriculture licenses custom processors under the Custom Processing of Meat Animals Act and lists license fees on its program page. Ask the department directly if you have been told a bond is needed for your license.
