Colorado Consultation
Process
In order to develop an initial program plan by February 1, 2025, CAA hosted a series of 10 topic-based consultations to solicit feedback from stakeholders between July and September 2024. During that process, CAA engaged with over 2,100 individuals from stakeholders across the spectrum of the circular system. Thanks to all those who participated and shared their expertise with CAA to develop the best possible program plan proposal.
Since being selected as Colorado’s Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) in May 2023, CAA has made significant progress towards establishing the Centennial State’s unique Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program. In less than 15 months, CAA:
Completed a statewide needs assessment and recycling scenario, which were approved by General Assembly’s Joint Budget Committee
Presented at over thirty Advisory Board Meetings
Completed a successful, initial producer registration process
Partnered with the EPR Advisory Board to develop technical working sessions
Hired its Colorado executive director
Coordinated a robust stakeholder consultation process to gather input into the draft program plan proposal
CAA will continue to collaborate with stakeholders to ensure we are building a program that works for all Coloradans. Though the formal consultation process is almost complete, CAA invites stakeholders to provide input via email at coplanconsultation@circularaction.org or through the Colorado EPR Advisory Board.
Background
Consultation Session Materials
Minimum Recyclable List, Minimum Collection Targets, and Recycling Rates
July 30, 2024
CAA covered the minimum recyclables list, covered materials list, producer compliance, minimum recycling rates, and minimum collection rates in this session.
Education & Outreach Program
August 1, 2024
Recognizing that effective education and outreach is essential to the success of Colorado's EPR program, CAA shared its proposed education and outreach plan to solicit feedback on strategies, considerations and implementation approaches.
Compostables
August 13, 2024
CAA outlined requirements addressing compostables in the program plan, discuss contamination, compostable packaging, and education and outreach specific to compostables.
Reimbursement Session 1 - Collectors
August 20, 2024 – 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM MDT
Colorado's program plan proposal must include an objective cost formula for reimbursing of the net recycling service costs of providers in the system. In this session, CAA outlined the statutory requirements, options and considerations for the reimbursement pathways, probe non-residential collection and multi-family housing, and methodology framework for collection reimbursement. This session specifically addressed reimbursement elements for collection services providers including private, public, nonprofit, curbside, and drop off.
Producer Dues (Fees)
August 6, 2024
Colorado's EPR program will be funded by dues paid by producers to the PRO. In this session, CAA will outline producer definitions and qualifications, guiding principles, the framework methodology for fee setting, reporting, timelines, and other considerations, to solicit feedback from stakeholders.
Reimbursement Session 2 - Processors
August 27, 2024 – 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM MDT
Colorado's program plan proposal must include an objective cost formula for reimbursing the net recycling service costs for service providers, including processors, in the system. In this session, CAA turned to reimbursement considerations and frameworks for MRFs and composters.
Post-Consumer Recycled Content
September 5, 2024 – 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM MDT
As more recycled material is collected and provided into the supply chain, Colorado's EPR program requires the program plan to include methods to increase PCR content in packaging, a process to verify PCR content, and a method of securing end market feedstocks for interested producers. In this session, CAA outlined these requirements and solicited feedback from stakeholders.
Responsible End Markets
September 10, 2024 – 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM MDT
Colorado's EPR program is intended to build and support a circular economy. To that end, the program plan must include elements that prioritize responsible end markets. This session addressed considerations around responsible end markets and fostering circularity.
Eco-Modulation, Reuse, Refill
September 12, 2024 – 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM MDT
Colorado’s program plan must include eco-modulation factors that incentivize innovations in packing while discouraging other potentially detrimental packaging decisions. In this session, CAA will discuss the eco-modulation factors, approaches being used elsewhere, reporting, package design incentivization, and other issues. The session will also solicit input on required plan elements around reusable and refillable covered materials.
Recommended Attendees: Producers, Processors, End Markets, NGOs, and Others Interested
Building Circularity
September 17, 2024 – 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM MDT
The Colorado program plan will vision into the future to assess needed infrastructure investments to improve collection and recycling rates, close loops by developing end markets, and fill gaps in transforming collected material into usable commodities in manufacturing.
Recommended Attendees: Local Governments, Collectors, Processors, NGOs, Composters, and Others Interested
FAQ
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Yes. Please submit feedback by topic to coplanconsultation@circularaction.org.
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There are several ways to provide input into the plan:
Through the designated consultation process questionnaires.
Via email at COPlanConsultation@circularaction.org.
Through CDPHE’s Advisory Board Technical Working Groups. Registration for those meetings is available here.
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CAA appreciates that there is a large and diverse group of stakeholders that is interested in providing feedback on the program plan proposal. That is why we are holding ten sessions on specific topics and releasing corresponding questionnaires to ensure stakeholders have ample opportunities to communicate their perspectives and share their expertise. We will not be able to meet with every stakeholder individually, however if we have further questions on specific program plan elements, we may reach out to you to gather more information. If you would like to send us additional information for consideration, you can email us at COPlanConsultation@circularaction.org.
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Summarized responses will be shared with the draft plan to the EPR Advisory Board. CAA will submit a draft for stakeholder feedback through the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) later this year.
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Stakeholders can provide input into the proposed program plan in several ways:
Through the designated consultation process questionnaires.
Via email at COPlanConsultation@circularaction.org
Through CDPHE’s Advisory Board technical working groups. Registration for those meetings is available here.
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Stakeholders can learn more about the Colorado EPR program through the following resources:
Contact Information
Please contact CAA with any questions at coplanconsultation@circularaction.org.
