All State Regulations

    Beekeeping Laws & Regulations in Colorado

    Everything you need to know about legally keeping bees in Colorado - from state registration to city-specific ordinances.

    Last updated: · Verified against official sources

    No — Colorado does not require you to register your hives with the state.

    No statewide residential hive limit. See the exact hive limits, setbacks, and city ordinances for 2026 below.

    Last updated

    Key Facts - Colorado Beekeeping

    Registration Required

    No - not required statewide

    Residential Hive Limits

    No statewide residential hive limit.

    State Agency

    Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA), Plant Industry Division

    State Registration Requirements

    The Colorado Bee and Bee Products Act, codified as the Colorado Bee Act at C.R.S. 35-25-101 to 35-25-117, was adopted in 1963 to inspect hives statewide for disease. In the mid-1980s the program shifted from general-fund support to self-funding through registration fees. Routine inspections ended in 1987, and in 1990 the registration fees were eliminated; the program has been unfunded since. The Act remains on the books, but CDA does not currently require hive registration. CDA inspects apiaries only when a beekeeper requests it, usually to meet another state's export-certification requirements, and the beekeeper pays all costs.

    Registration Fees

    None. Colorado has no active hive registration program or fee; registration fees were eliminated in 1990. Beekeepers who ask CDA for an export-certification inspection pay the full cost of that inspection.

    Visit the CDA apiary program

    Residential Beekeeping Rules

    Hive Limits - Residential

    No statewide residential hive limit. Cities and counties set their own rules; for example, Denver allows 2 hives per zone lot and Colorado Springs allows 2 hives on lots under 10,000 sq ft, with more on larger lots.

    Hive Limits - Rural / Agricultural

    No statewide limit on agricultural or rural land. County zoning may still apply.

    Setback Requirements

    No statewide setback requirement. Setbacks come from local ordinances; Denver requires 5 feet from side and rear lot lines, and Colorado Springs requires 5 to 50 feet depending on lot size. Many local codes require a 6-foot flyway barrier.

    City-Specific Regulations

    Denver

    Hive Limits

    2 hives per zone lot, regardless of lot size.

    Setbacks

    Hives must be in the rear one-third of the zone lot, at least 5 feet from the side and rear zone lot lines. Hives must be screened so bees have to fly over a 6-foot barrier, which may be vegetative, before leaving the property.

    Notes

    Denver allows domestic honey bees as a household-animal accessory use under the Denver Zoning Code (Article 11, § 11.8.5.1), not the Denver Revised Municipal Code. No zoning permit is needed for the bees themselves. Outdoor storage of beekeeping equipment is not allowed unless it is part of a working hive.

    Denver ordinance

    Boulder

    Hive Limits

    No numeric hive limit. The Boulder Revised Code has no beekeeping or beehive provisions.

    Setbacks

    No city-mandated setback, rear-yard, or flyway-barrier rule for beehives was found in the Boulder Revised Code. General nuisance rules apply.

    Notes

    Boulder's city code does not require an Integrated Pest Management plan or specific hive types. Boulder's official pollinator guidance focuses on native bees and notes that backyard honey bee hives do not help native bees and may harm them. HOA covenants can restrict hives. Bears are a real concern in foothill neighborhoods, and electric fencing is widely recommended.

    Boulder ordinance

    Colorado Springs

    Hive Limits

    Tiered by lot size: up to 2 hives on lots under 10,000 sq ft, up to 4 hives from 10,000 sq ft to 1 acre, increasing numbers of hives on lots from 1 to 5 acres, and no numeric limit over 5 acres.

    Setbacks

    At least 5 feet from property lines on lots under 10,000 sq ft, 15 feet on lots from 10,000 sq ft to 5 acres, and 50 feet on lots over 5 acres. On properties under 5 acres, a 6-foot flyway barrier (opaque fence or dense evergreen vegetation) is required within 5 feet of the hive entrance.

    Notes

    Beehives are permitted in residential zone districts under City Code § 7.3.105.A.2.b. A fresh water supply must be provided within 5 feet of the hives. The high elevation and dry climate make water and winter feeding especially important.

    Colorado Springs ordinance

    Key Laws & Statutes

    Colorado Bee Act (Colorado Bee and Bee Products Act)

    C.R.S. §§ 35-25-101 to 35-25-117

    Adopted in 1963 to control bee diseases through state apiary inspection. Routine inspections ended in 1987 and registration fees were eliminated in 1990, leaving the program unfunded. The Act is still in statute, but the state does not run registration or routine inspections; CDA inspects only on request, at the beekeeper's expense, usually for out-of-state export certification.

    Rules Pertaining to the Administration and Enforcement of the Colorado Bee Act

    8 CCR 1203-4

    CDA's administrative rules implementing the Colorado Bee Act, including disease-control and inspection provisions. They remain in the Code of Colorado Regulations even though the inspection program is unfunded.

    SB23-266 - Neonic Pesticides as Limited-Use Pesticides

    Colorado Senate Bill 23-266 (signed May 17, 2023)

    Requires the Commissioner of Agriculture to designate neonicotinoid pesticides as limited-use pesticides that only licensed dealers may sell, with the requirement in place by January 1, 2024. Exempts pet care, veterinary, indoor pest control, personal lice, structural insulation, wood preservation, bait, and insect-strip products. This is Colorado's main enacted pollinator-related pesticide law.

    Selling Honey in Colorado

    Honey is an allowed product under the Colorado Cottage Foods Act (C.R.S. 25-4-1614). Producers can sell it directly to consumers without a license, permit, or inspection from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Sales are capped at $10,000 per year for each product, must be direct to the end consumer, and may not cross state lines. Producers must complete a food safety course that includes basic food handling training, such as those offered by CSU Extension. Labels must include the producer's name and address, the product name, net weight, production date, allergen information if applicable, and the statement that the product was produced in a home kitchen not subject to state licensure or inspection. Local zoning or business-license rules may still apply to home sales.

    Official Colorado guidance
    Price your honey for ColoradoList your honey free

    Colorado Beekeeping Association

    Colorado State Beekeepers Association

    The Colorado State Beekeepers Association (CSBA), a nonprofit founded in 1880, serves hobbyist, sideliner, and commercial beekeepers across Colorado. CSBA hosts an annual winter conference, runs Certified Beekeeper and Master Beekeeper programs and a swarm rescue hotline, connects affiliated local clubs, and represents beekeepers' interests to state and local agencies.

    Visit Colorado State Beekeepers Association

    Climate & Regional Considerations

    Most of Colorado's populated areas have cold, dry, windy winters, which makes winter preparation critical. Make sure colonies enter fall with ample honey stores, strong populations, and enough ventilation to prevent condensation. Windbreaks are important. The dry air can reduce some moisture-related problems compared with humid states, but chinook winds and sudden warm spells can bring dramatic temperature swings that draw bees out of the cluster on winter days. Spring buildup is often slowed by late frosts, so avoid inspecting too early. Summer drought is common, so monitor nectar availability and be prepared to feed.

    See the month-by-month Colorado beekeeping calendar

    Tips for Colorado Beekeepers

    • Colorado's high elevation and short summers give colonies a compressed window to build up and store winter honey. Feed new spring packages until they are established.
    • Winter wind protection matters along the Front Range and in mountain communities. Many Colorado beekeepers use windbreaks or insulating hive wraps through the cold months.
    • Bears are a significant threat in foothill and mountain areas. Electric fencing is strongly recommended, and some HOAs and land managers may require it.
    • Colorado's dry climate can stress colonies, so provide a reliable water source close to your hives, especially during summer drought. Colorado Springs requires water within 5 feet of the hives.
    • The Colorado Bee Act is still on the books, but the state inspection and registration program has been unfunded since 1990. Connect with the Colorado State Beekeepers Association and local clubs for disease support and mentorship.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Sources & Official References

    Last checked against these sources on . This page summarizes Colorado law for general information and is not legal advice. Rules change — confirm with CDA and your city or county before setting up hives.

    City ordinances still vary — always confirm with your town after checking state law.

    Other State Regulations

    Colorado Beekeeping Calendar

    Month-by-month tasks for Colorado — when to inspect, treat for mites, harvest, and prep for winter.

    View Colorado Calendar

    Beekeeping Cost Calculator

    Estimate startup costs, ongoing expenses, and potential honey revenue for your beekeeping operation in Colorado.

    Calculate Costs

    Do You Need a License to Keep Bees?

    Most states require hive registration, not a license. Our guide explains the difference and what Colorado expects before you start.

    Read the Guide

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