Important new laws going into effect in Colorado July 1

DENVER — Major new laws on a variety of important issues take effect on Monday, July 1, in Colorado. These four laws will protect bees and other pollinators by limiting the sale of bee-killing pesticides called neonicotinoids (neonics); reduce waste by giving local governments new flexibility to tackle single-use plastic pollution; codify truth-in-labeling requirements for compostable products and expand consumer protections by unveiling a new online data privacy tool. 

“This summer brings new protections for the health, safety and well-being of Coloradans and our communities,” said Danny Katz, CoPIRG executive director. “Thanks to the leadership of a number of legislators and Governor Polis, we have a lot to celebrate heading into the Fourth of July holidays.”

The new laws going into effect July 1 include:

• A limit on the sale of bee-killing pesticides called neonics. Neonics are a class of insecticides partly responsible for the steep decline we’ve seen in bees. Bees and other pollinators are critical for healthy gardens and a healthy food supply including Colorado’s famed Palisade peaches, Rocky Ford melons, apples, alfalfa, tomatoes, pumpkins and so much more. Starting July 1, only licensed pesticide dealers will be able to sell neonics, removing this pesticide from most retail and garden store shelves. That will reduce the number of people who dump neonics on gardens and lawns and help us protect bees and other pollinators.
• New flexibility for local governments to tackle single-use plastic pollution. For years, Colorado local governments were not allowed to pass policies that limited single-use plastics. That state-imposed limit, known as preemption, will lift starting July 1, freeing cities and counties to pass local policies to rein in single-use plastic pollution.
• Additional label standards to ensure consumers know what products are compostable. The amount of single-use waste in the form of cups, bottles, bags, containers and cutlery that Coloradans go through in a week can fill a trash can. While the best way to limit the amount of waste is to use reusable items, you can at least recycle or compost some single-use items. However, to be composted, single-use items must be clearly certified compostable and accepted by a compost facility. Unfortunately, local composting facilities often refuse to accept compostable containers, cups and cutlery because people (sometimes unwittingly) contaminate compost piles with non-compostable products. Starting July 1, compostable products will need to be clearly labeled, making it easier for consumers to know what’s compostable and making it easier for compost facilities to consider accepting compostable products in the future, diverting them from landfills.
• A new tool for consumers to opt out of companies collecting their data online. As part of the Colorado Privacy Act, Colorado consumers will be able to use the Global Privacy Control to opt-out of data collection starting July 1. The Global Privacy Control is a universal opt-out mechanism. Once you download the plug-in on your browser, the Global Privacy Control sends a signal to every website you visit that you don’t want your data to be collected and sold. This way, instead of manually opting out of data collection for every website, the universal opt-out mechanism will automatically do it for you, all the time. For tips on how to use the tool for Google Chrome, Apple Safari, Microsoft Edge and Mozilla Firefox check out our blog.

“The new laws kicking in in July will make Colorado cleaner and more pollinator-friendly and Coloradans happier and healthier.” said Katz.  

A legal challenge has delayed a fifth law that was supposed to take effect July 1 to protect consumers. The law would restrict out-of-state lenders’ ability to skirt Colorado’s interest rate caps and eliminate a loophole that allows so-called “rent-a-bank” products to avoid state law.    

“The law that should go into effect July 1 will close the loophole that lets out-of-state lenders charge higher interest rates than in-state lenders,” said Katz. “I’m disappointed these out-of-state lenders chose to challenge the law instead of abiding by our state’s interest rate limits, but I’m confident Colorado’s law will go into effect once the legal process is done.”