Counterfeit Colorado produce has gotten so bad that the Governor signed a bill to crack down

If you’ve ever bought peaches thinking they were famous Palisade Peaches from Colorado, but they didn’t taste like it, it might be because they weren’t actually from our state. Counterfeit produce has become so prevalent that lawmakers are getting involved!

Gov. Jared Polis signed a bill Tuesday (April 7) making it illegal to label out-of-state produce as Colorado-grown, cracking down on what lawmakers called “counterfeit fruits and vegetables” that have increasingly shown up at farmers markets, farm stands and grocery stores across the state.

House Bill 26-1031 prohibits anyone from identifying an agricultural product as being produced in Colorado when selling, marketing, advertising or distributing it unless the product was actually grown in the state. It also bans unauthorized use of the Colorado Proud designation and logo. Violations constitute a deceptive trade practice.

The bipartisan measure passed the House unanimously, 65-0, in February before clearing the Senate in March.

The legislation specifically names Palisade peaches, Olathe sweet corn, Pueblo chiles, Rocky Ford cantaloupes and San Luis Valley potatoes as among the state’s famous agricultural products that have been targeted by mislabeling.

Colorado’s unique climate, high elevations and mountain water create distinctive flavors in its produce, and consumers often pay a premium for locally grown items.

The law takes effect Aug. 12.