How much is the bag fee?

The bag fee is 10 cents ($0.10) per single-use bag. 

Are some types of bags exempt from the fee?

Bag fees are only charged for single-use bags distributed to customers at checkout or the point of sale.

Fees do not apply to bags used inside stores to package or wrap items (e.g., produce and bulk section bags, bags to wrap frozen foods, bags to wrap flowers or plants, bags to wrap unwrapped prepared foods or bakery items), non-handled bags used to protect purchases from damage or contamination, bags provided by pharmacists for prescriptions, newspaper or door-hanger bags, laundry-dry cleaning bags, or bags sold in packages containing multiple bags for food storage, garbage, pet waste, or yard waste.

What are the bag fee revenues used for?

The City of Edgewater will collect 60 percent of single-use bag fees charged by impacted businesses within the city. Revenue from the bag fees can be used for:

• Administration costs associated with implementing and enforcing the fee.
• Providing reusable bags to the community.
• Educating residents, businesses, and visitors about the impacts of disposable bags.
• Other waste reduction, recycling, composting, or waste diversion programs.

The single-use bag fee is a fee, not a tax, and therefore all proceeds collected under the State law must be used for approved purposes listed above. 

What businesses must charge $0.10 single-use bag fees?

Major grocery stores and grocery delivery services, convenience stores, retailers, liquor stores, marijuana dispensaries, drug stores and pharmacies that have more than three locations, are part of a franchise or corporation, and/or have physical locations outside of Colorado.

Do all businesses have to comply?

No - Restaurants and small stores are exempt from charging the bag fees. To be considered a small store, a store must meet all three of the following criteria: 

• Operates solely in Colorado.
• Has three or fewer locations in the state
• Is not part of a franchise, corporation, or partnership with physical locations outside of Colorado. 

What businesses will be required to follow the plastic bag ban and foam polystyrene takeout container ban that starts on January 1, 2024? 

• All businesses that must follow the single-use bag fee, including self-checkout and delivery services, will no longer be allowed to distribute single-use plastic bags at the point of sale beginning in 2024.
• Retail food establishments will no longer be allowed to distribute foam polystyrene (aka Styrofoam™) containers beginning in 2024. 

How does my business comply? 

To comply with the Colorado Plastic Pollution Reduction Act…

• Impacted businesses must charge customers a $0.10 fee for each single-use bag used at the point of sale beginning January 1, 2023. Beginning in January 2024, these same businesses must only charge customers a $0.10 fee for each single-use paper bag used at the point of sale – single-use plastic bags will no longer be allowed. Updated October 2023
• Beginning in January 2024, retail food establishments must ensure takeout containers and cups are not made of foam polystyrene, commonly referred to as Styrofoam™. 

Where do bag fees go?

Of the $0.10 collected per bag:

• Businesses will retain $0.04 per bag of the collected fee to cover costs associated with administration of and compliance with the state law.
• The other $0.06 per bag of the collected fee is to be remitted to the City of Edgewater on a quarterly basis using the Edgewater Disposable Bag Fee Remittance Form.

Note: Your business does not need to apply for a new account or license for the Bag Fee requirement.

How is the fee monitored and recorded for the customer?

A store must record on a customer’s receipt the number of single-use bags and the total amount of fees charged for each bag. The bag fee CANNOT be included as revenue for the purpose of calculating sales tax to the customer.

Do all customers have to pay the bag fee at impacted businesses? 

Customers who can provide proof of participation in federal or state food assistance programs, such as SNAP or EBT, do not have to pay the single-use bag fee. 

How can I avoid paying the Colorado bag fee? 

Customers can avoid paying the 10-cent bag fee by bringing their own reusable bags with them to the store or choosing not to bag their purchases. Some stores offer bag discounts or credits when you bring your own bags so customers can save even more than 10 cents per bag! The City of Edgewater also provides residents with free reusable bags – visit www.EdgewaterCO.gov/Sustainability to reach out to the sustainability team and request a bag.

Does the bag fee apply to bags used for delivery orders or self-checkout? 

Yes, the bag fee must be applied to each single-use bag provided at self-checkout stations or in delivery orders from stores that are required to charge a bag fee.