Carryout Bag Fee

In 2021, the Colorado General Assembly enacted House Bill 21-1162. Effective January 1, 2023, stores in unincorporated La Plata County must charge $0.10 per disposable bag at the time of sale. Beginning January 1, 2024, the act prohibits stores and retail food establishments from providing single-use plastic carryout bags to customers.

Beginning January 1, 2023, some stores* in unincorporated La Plata County will be required to collect a $0.10 fee on each single-use plastic or recyclable paper carryout bag provided to the customer. The store must then remit 60% (or $0.06) of the collected fee to La Plata County, while the business can retain the other 40% (or $0.04).  

*Store means a grocery store, supermarket, convenience store, liquor store, dry cleaner, pharmacy, drug store, clothing store, or other types of retail establishment at which carryout bags are traditionally provided to customers.  Certain small stores that operate solely in Colorado, have three or fewer locations, and are not a part of a franchise, corporation, or partnership that has a physical location outside of Colorado, do not have to collect the carryout bag fee.

Links, Forms and Resources:

Why does La Plata County charge a fee for carryout bags?

How much is the carryout bag fee?

What types of businesses must collect the carryout bag fee?

Are there types of bags not included in the bag fee?

When does the fee start?

How can customers avoid the carryout bag fee?

Does everyone have to pay the carryout bag fee?

When does the ban on single-use plastic bags go into effect?

What is the store's requirement for providing carryout bags for a fee?

Is the store required to use their portion of the carryout bag fee on specific programs?

When is the first return due?

What are the return due dates?

Is there a minimum amount that has to be sent in?