The program inspects custom processing facilities that process domestic livestock and/or wild game animals for the animal's owners. These facilities are exempt from the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) official inspection. Facilities are in compliance with USDA BSE regulations. Meat processed by custom processors may not be sold to anyone and may only be consumed by the animal's owners.
This program also inspects custom processing facilities that process poultry. Poultry processing facilities are inspected for proper sanitation, record-keeping, and labeling. Poultry processed by licensed custom processors may be sold to individuals and to retail establishments.
Julie Mizak
Program Administrator
Quick Links
2024 Actively Licensed Custom Meat & Poultry Processors
If processor is not found on list, please email Program Manager for more information.
Guidance to Ranchers and Custom Exempt Processors Regarding the Ranch to Plate Act
Overview of state licensing requirements for small and mid-size poultry processors
The International HACCP Alliance was developed to provide a uniform program to assure safer meat and poultry products. Custom processing plants are not required to submit HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) plans. However, processors are encouraged to visit the HACCP Alliance website for guidance to ensure safer meat products https://haccpalliance.org/
Forms and Downloads
If you wish to custom process meat animals for the owner, you must obtain a license for your facility. This includes USDA official establishments. Below are the licensing, operating and facility requirements.
License Requirements
Your license fee depends on whether you process domestic & wild game animals, wild game only or operate a mobile slaughter unit. Below is breakdown of the licensing process for each.
Custom Processor of Domestic & Wild Game Animals
- License periods run from January 1 to December 31 of each year and must be renewed annually.
- The annual fee for domestic livestock processors is $300. May also process wild game.
- Completely fill out a Meat Processor License Application.
- Return forms and fees to our mailing address. You will receive a license certificate in the mail.
Custom Processor of Wild Game Only
- License periods run from January 1 to December 31 of each year and must be renewed annually.
- The annual fee for wild game processors only is $250.
- Completely fill out a Meat Processor License Application.
- Return forms and fees to our mailing address. You will receive a license certificate in the mail.
Custom Mobile Slaughter Unit
- License periods run from January 1 to December 31 of each year and must be renewed annually.
- The annual fee for mobile slaughter unit is $250.
- Completely fill out a Meat Processor License Application.
- Return forms and fees to our mailing address. You will receive a license certificate in the mail.
Facility Requirements For:
Domestic Processor, Wild Game, Mobile Slaughter Unit
Refer to the rule for specific facility requirements.
Poultry Processor
Refer to the Poultry rule for specific facility requirements.
Related Links
The International HACCP Alliance was developed to provide a uniform program to assure safer meat and poultry products.
Laws and Regulations
Colorado Revised Statutes
Colorado Revised Statutes are made available for public use by the Committee on Legal Services of the Colorado General Assembly through a contractual arrangement with the LexisNexis Group. Any person wishing to reprint and distribute all or a substantial part of the statutes in either printed or electronic format must obtain prior permission of the Committee on Legal Services; permission is not required to reprint fewer than 200 sections of C.R.S. (please see §2-5-118, C.R.S.).
The Lexis Nexis website is the only official source of the Colorado Revised Statutes.
Instructions for using Lexis Nexis
Title 35, Article 33: Custom Processing of Meat Animals Act, Sections 35-33-101 to 35-33-407 CRS
FAQs
- Q: How is the Colorado meat law enforced?
A: Facilities engaged in custom livestock, wild game meat, and poultry processing over 1000 birds, are required to license with the Colorado Department of Agriculture. Inspectors visit the facilities and inspect for cleaning, sanitation, labeling and record keeping.
- Q: Are there any requirements for how a processing facility must be constructed?
A: Yes, the receiving, and holding areas need to be constructed so that the animals can be handled without being hurt. The processing, refrigeration, freezing and storage areas of a meat processing facility must all be constructed so that the processing can be done in a safe and sanitary manner. For example, walls in all areas of the facility must be constructed of materials that are easily cleaned and sanitized, processing room and cooler floors must be capable of being readily cleaned and properly drained.
- Q: What is meant by "safe and sanitary"?
A: All equipment used for processing must be cleaned and sanitized regularly at the conclusion of each day's processing. The temperatures of the processing room, refrigerator and freezer must all be appropriate. Employees must use good hygiene. Vermin and pests must be properly controlled. Wild game must be segregated from domestic animals. Pork must be segregated from other meat. Waste must be properly denatured and disposed of. Custom processed meat and wild game meat must be labeled with "NOT FOR SALE", product identity, owner identity, and date of wrapping.
- Q: How much meat will I get from an animal I bring to a processor?
A: The take home yield of meat from an animal is approximately 40% of the live weight. The actual yield depends on the breed, age and condition of the animal. For example, a 1000# steer will yield about a 615# carcass, from which about 432# of cut, wrapped meat is obtained. The yield of a boneless product from a field dressed wild game animal (animal minus hide, viscera and legs removed at the knee) will be about 40% of the weight of the animal.
- Q: Why did I only get 150# of meat from my 600# elk?
A: To know the expected yield of meat, you need to know how much the animal weighs before processing. The typical 1.5 year old elk is 350 - 450# live weight. A deer is 125 - 150# typically. An antelope often weighs around 100# live. Some processors may have a scale to weigh your animal carcass with when you check it in.
- Q: I am not sure if I received all the meat cut from the animal I had processed, can the Department help?
A: Unfortunately, the Department cannot help with this type of problem. The Meat Law has requirements only for the sanitary and proper operation of a processing plant.
- Q: Do I have to take care of a carcass before I bring it to a processor?
A: Yes! The processor can only work with what you give him. Prompt field dressing (gutting and skinning) and proper handling before delivery are necessary if you want to make the most of the meat on the animal. Because the processor is required to operate in a safe and sanitary manner, the processor may even reject a carcass if it has not been properly handled.
- Q: Doesn't the USDA inspect meat and the processing facilities?
A: Yes, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) of the USDA is responsible for inspecting live animals, meat carcasses and meat products and facilities in cases where the meat is being sold. The Colorado Department of Agriculture has an agreement with the USDA where the Colorado Department of Agriculture inspects the custom exempt plants and shares the information with the USDA. In order for meat to be sold, the animal must be slaughtered and processed under USDA inspection at a USDA Official plant.
Contact Us
Julie Mizak
Program Administrator
julie.mizak@state.co.us
Program Phone number: (303) 869-9099
Fax number: (303) 466-2860