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Committee approves bipartisan bill encouraging food‑waste reduction and donation, places it on consent calendar
Summary
House Bill 1166 (sponsored in Senate by Senators Kipp and Cutter) was advanced with a favorable recommendation and placed on the committee’s consent calendar. The measure encourages food‑waste prevention, clarifies liability protections for donors and expands labeling guidance for prepared foods.
Senate Health & Human Services advanced House Bill 11‑66 (referred to in committee as HB 1166), a bipartisan measure to encourage food‑waste reduction and donation, and placed it on the committee’s consent calendar.
Sponsors said the bill is voluntary, has no fiscal note and directs the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to develop education and training materials and clarify labeling guidance so more prepared foods can be safely donated. The bill also extends liability protections for farmers, nonprofits and other donors, which several witnesses said would promote more donations.
Esther Cone of Flashfood described her company’s data showing reduced food waste where the app operates: “Through the Flashfood app, Flash US shoppers have saved more than $93,000,000 on their groceries, and retailers have diverted more than 43,000,000 pounds of food from landfills,” she said, and noted early Colorado results from a six‑month pilot.
Jay Burrow of the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union and Brian Loma of Green Latinos testified in support, citing farmers’ interest in liability clarity and the program’s climate and food‑security benefits.
Outcome: Sponsors moved HB 1166 to the Committee of the Whole with a favorable recommendation; the committee placed the bill on the consent calendar.
Next steps: Placing the bill on the consent calendar typically accelerates floor consideration; sponsors said CDPHE will work on outreach and educational materials once the bill progresses.
