Gov Polis Signs Law Protecting Palisade Peach Label

Palisade —Palisade peaches are under attack from within their own borders. They aren’t being stolen by New Mexico chiles anymore. They’re being replaced by imposters from other states, sold under the same label, and costing local growers their reputation.

Gov. Jared Polis signed House Bill 1031 into law Wednesday. The measure makes it a deceptive trade practice to market fruits and vegetables as Colorado-grown if they were produced elsewhere. It also restricts the use of the “Colorado Proud” logo to authorized sellers.

Violations carry fines up to $20,000. The bill passed the legislature unanimously.

The logic is simple enough. A customer buys a peach labeled Palisade. They bite into it. It’s rock hard. They toss it in the trash and vow never to buy another one. That lost sale hurts the family who grew that fruit. It also erodes trust in the brand.

State Rep. Matt Soper, R-Delta, sponsored the bill after hearing complaints from the local business group. He noted that Colorado produce has been highlighted as the world’s best since the 1893 World’s Fair. Cool nights. Warm days. Pure Rocky Mountain snowmelt water. That combination creates quality. Out-of-state peaches don’t always share those conditions.

“We want to protect that,” Soper said.

Palisade Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Jessica Burford told lawmakers in February that protecting the authenticity of Colorado’s iconic agricultural products is essential. It sustains rural economies. It preserves the heritage that makes these regions unique.

Marc Catlin, D-Frisco, another bill sponsor, put it plainly. When counterfeit products enter the market, they undercut Colorado producers. They harm the state’s reputation for high-quality produce.

Polis made a specific nod to the competition with New Mexico. “We certainly don’t want people thinking (New Mexico) hatch chiles are Pueblo chiles,” he said. The governor has signed several other agricultural-focused bills this session. These include measures expanding eligibility for agricultural loans and funds to help farmers with diseased livestock. A separate bill grants property tax exemptions to more ranchers and farmers.

The law targets specific labels, not just generic origins. Sellers cannot use the “Colorado Proud” logo unless authorized by the state Department of Agriculture. This prevents any grower, anywhere, from slapping a Colorado sticker on an out-of-state peach and charging a premium price.

Other sponsors include Rep. Matthew Martinez, D-Monte Vista, and Sens. Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco, and Marc Catlin, R-Montrose.

The short version: If you see a Palisade peach in your grocery store, check the label. Make sure it’s actually from Palisade. If it’s not, and they’re using the wrong logo or claiming Colorado origin falsely, they can be fined. The state is watching.

Soper got the idea for the bill after being told by the Palisade Chamber of Commerce that they had concerns about imposter peaches and other out-of-state produce purporting to be from Colorado. The concern wasn’t just about money. It was about identity.

The law takes effect immediately upon signing. There is no grace period for sellers to update their signage or adjust their supply chains. If you are selling out-of-state peaches as Colorado-grown, you are now breaking the law.

Polis signed the bill at the Capitol on April 8, 2026. Robert Tann of the Steamboat Pilot captured the moment. Soper spoke about his bill shortly before the signing. The timing suggests a coordinated push to protect western Colorado’s agricultural identity before the next harvest season begins.

The question isn’t whether the law will work. It’s who will get caught first.