The Colorado Department of Agriculture is accredited by the USDA as an organic state certifier under the National Organic Program.

We certify crops, livestock, wild crop and processors as USDA Certified Organic through an application and inspection process.

For the Consumer -

The program assures consumers that these products are produced without prohibited substances such as synthetic pesticides and fertilizers.

For the Producer -

The program allows participating producers to sell their products as USDA certified Organic.  The implementation of the USDA standards has brought uniformity to the organic industry throughout the United States. Colorado producers are able to sell their products in other states and countries without barriers.

If you are a Producer and want to be USDA certified -

Please contact the Department for an informational packet at (303) 239 4139 or click here to request by email.

After your application has been received and reviewed by our office it is forwarded to the inspector in your area. USDA standards require an annual inspection.

If you are renewing your certification -

Forms to renew certification are available on the Organic Forms  page.

Beginning June 1, 2012, the USDA and the European Union Commission (EU) signed an equivalency arrangement that allows certified organic products of the United States and the EU to be represented as organic in each other’s markets.  To find out more please read the US-EU Equivalency Arrangement Policy Statement.

CDA-EU Certificate of Inspection now available

THE APPLICATION FEE SCHEDULE HAS CHANGED. Please download the new form, fill it out electronically, and submit it with your paperwork. If you are completing this form by hand and not on a computer, please contact the CDA office if you have questions. 
 

The updated 2012 Crop Plans are now available. PDF fillable forms can be downloaded from the  Organic Forms  page to use this version. (Please remember, you must submit a paper copy to the office for review.)  There have been a few changes to this plan. If you have questions, please contact Crystal Andrews at (303) 239-4136.

Renewals: Greenhouse renewal plans are currently being emailed out starting on Monday, September 24, 2012. Application and fees must be received by the date listed on the cover letter found within your packet. If you would like to use the PDF fillable form, go to the Organic Forms page and download. Late applications will have an additional fee applied. Please note that the form has received updates. Please be sure to use the updated forms to avoid incomplete information.

New Crop applications for the 2013 year will be due by June 1, 2013. New applications turned in after this date cannot be accepted. Please plan accordingly.

 

USDA National Organic Program Handbook now online - See Additional Resources below.

Cost Share forms for 2012 (October 1, 2011 - September 30, 2012) now available

NOTE REGARDING FILLABLE PDF FORMS:
If you are using a Mac to open the certification forms, please note that you must use Adobe Reader NOT the Mac Preview Option which is the default software used when you double click on a pdf.  If you use Preview the save your form and other built in features will not work.  If you are using Adobe Reader and are still experiencing problems with your form please contact us. 

• Organic Forms

• Organic Publications

• Contact Organic Program