Colorado's Bag Fee Policy Continues to Impact Shoppers Across the State and El Paso County

Colorado residents are continuing to feel the effects of the state's bag fee and single-use plastic reduction policies in 2026, with shoppers in Fountain and throughout El Paso County seeing the changes every time they visit the grocery store.

What began as a statewide effort to reduce plastic waste has evolved into a permanent shift in how consumers shop. Since Jan. 1, 2024, most large retailers have been prohibited from providing traditional single-use plastic checkout bags. Instead, customers who need a bag at checkout are typically offered a recycled paper bag for a minimum fee of 10 cents.

While the fee may seem insignificant on an individual purchase, it can quickly add up for families making multiple grocery trips each week. Residents who forget reusable bags could spend several dollars a month on paper bags alone, creating another small but noticeable expense for household budgets already stretched by inflation and rising grocery costs.

Many Coloradans initially viewed the bag fee as a temporary measure, but in 2026, it has become clear that the state's restrictions are here to stay unless lawmakers take action to change them.

In fact, lawmakers attempted to eliminate the mandatory paper bag fee during the 2025 legislative session. House Bill 25-1051 proposed removing the 10-cent charge on recycled paper bags, allowing retailers to provide them at no cost if they chose. The bill ultimately failed, leaving the current fee structure in place for Colorado consumers.

For residents of Fountain and El Paso County, the impact remains largely the same as it does across the state. Grocery stores and qualifying retailers are required to follow Colorado law, meaning shoppers who arrive without reusable bags should expect to pay the additional charge.

The bag fee also generates revenue beyond the cash register. Under current state law, retailers are permitted to keep 40 percent of the fee collected to help cover administrative and operational costs. The remaining 60 percent is remitted to the municipality or county where the store is located. Those funds may be used for waste diversion programs, environmental initiatives and related administrative expenses.

That means a portion of every dime collected at participating retailers in El Paso County can ultimately support local government programs rather than remaining entirely with the retailer.

Colorado law also allows municipalities and counties to impose fees higher than the statewide minimum if they choose. While Fountain and El Paso County currently follow the state's 10-cent requirement, residents should be aware that local governments retain the authority to increase those fees in the future.

Looking ahead, Colorado's efforts to reduce single-use products are expected to expand even further. Legislation passed in 2026 will take effect on Jan. 1, 2027, limiting when restaurants and third-party delivery services may provide disposable utensils and certain other single-use food service items. In many cases, consumers will need to request them rather than automatically receiving them with takeout or delivery orders.

The upcoming changes signal that Colorado's environmental policies are moving beyond grocery bags and into other aspects of daily life.

Supporters of the bag fee argue that the policy reduces litter, landfill waste and plastic pollution while encouraging consumers to adopt reusable alternatives. Critics contend that the added costs disproportionately impact families and lower-income residents, particularly those making frequent shopping trips or living on fixed incomes.

For local residents, the most practical way to avoid paying the fee remains simple: keep reusable bags readily available in vehicles, purses or near the front door before heading to the store.

As Colorado continues expanding its policies surrounding single-use products, consumers across Fountain, El Paso County and the rest of the state can expect these environmental initiatives to remain an ongoing part of everyday shopping and dining experiences for years to come.

Photo courtesy of Western Slope Now (KREX).