Laws & Regulations
This page provides resources on pesticide laws regulations that are carried out by the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA), including:
The Pesticide Applicators’ Act
The Colorado Pesticide Applicators’ Act is a regulatory framework designed to govern and oversee the use of pesticides within the state. Enacted to protect public health and the environment, the Act establishes licensing requirements for individuals involved in the application of pesticides. It outlines the qualifications and responsibilities of pesticide applicators, including the need for proper training and certification. The Act also addresses issues such as record-keeping, pesticide storage, and disposal practices to ensure safe and responsible pesticide use. By implementing these regulations, Colorado aims to strike a balance between effective pest management and the protection of human health and the environment.
Worker Protection Standard
The Worker Protection Standard (WPS) is a federal regulation issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and enforced in Colorado by the Colorado Department of Agriculture. WPS applies whenever a pesticide is used in the production of agricultural plants that has an “Agricultural Use Requirements” section on the product label. The Quick Reference to the 2015 WPS offers information on the important changes as well as references to the published regulation.
Record-keeping
While not a requirement in Colorado, an important part of your application record should be the proper recording of environmental data associated with a particular application. It’s important to ensure that the data is inclusive, accurate, and defensible.
For more information, see “Application Recordkeeping: Focus on Environmental Conditions“.
Private Applicator Record-keeping
The United States Department of Agriculture requires certified private applicators to keep record of all restricted use pesticide (RUP) applications. Records must be logged within 14 days and kept for two years after the application.
Records are required to include the following:
- Brand or product name
- EPA registration number
- Location of application
- Crop, stored product, commodity, or site treated
- Day, month, and year applied
- Size of area treated (or spot treatment)
- Total amount of pesticide applied
- Name and certification number of applicator
Additional record keeping information to be posted at the Central Location as required by the Federal Worker Protection Standard regulation (WPS) include start/end time of application and length of Restricted Entry Interval (REI). The Pesticide Safety Poster and Safety Data Sheet for all pesticides listed at the Central Location must also be available.
For a single field
For multiple fields
Private Record-keeping Book
Commercial Applicator Record keeping
Licensed Commercial applicators are required to maintain accurate and legible records of each application made for hire. Registered limited commercial and public applicators must keep records of each pesticide application.
Records must include:
- Name/address for whom application was made.
- Location where application was made.
- Target pest.
- Site, crop, commodity, or structure
- Specific pesticide(s) applied.
- EPA registration # for all pesticides applied.
- Dilution rate.
- Application rate in total gallons or pounds of tank mix applied per unit area.
- Carrier, if not water.
- Date & time (within 1/2 hour) of application.
- Name of applicator or technician and the on-site Qualified Supervisor.
- Endangered Species Protection Bulletin for the county and month, if required by the label.
For internal record-keeping, applicators may also want to include:
- Nozzles/spacing/PSI
- Environmental factors
- Start/stop time
- WPS notification
How WPS is Involved...
Remember…
There is not one specific way to keep records. Applicators can use computer software, paper, the booklets we’ve provided, or even a smartphone ‘app’! As long as all the required elements are met, record-keeping can benefit applicators in liability protection and insurance claims. It also provides a Pest Management Plan, helps with real estate transfers and management decisions, and most importantly it helps with treating pesticide exposures.
Pesticide Label Search
Pesticide applicators should have a copy of the Pesticide Label and Safety Data Sheet (SDS) on record for each pesticide applied on the job.
Pesticide Labels
Certified pesticide applicators must know what information is found on the pesticide label as it is a legal document. It contains information on how, when, and where the pesticide can be used. It lists hazards to humans and domestic animals, and lists any environmental hazards. An applicator MUST have the product label in their possession during an application.
Safety Data Sheets
For every pesticide there is also a document known as a Safety Data Sheet (SDS). The SDS contains information on the hazard from fire and explosion, health hazard data, reactivity data, and procedures required for environmental protection. The SDS also contains information on actions to take in case of a spill or leak.
Pesticide Product Search
- CDMS Pesticide Label and SDS Search
- EPA’s Pesticide Label and Product System
- Purdue’s National Pesticide Information Retrieval System
- CDA Pesticide Product Registrations
The NPIRS State Public website contains information pertaining to pesticides either currently or previously licensed for distribution and sale in the United States and is provided for informational purposes only. Most states, including Colorado, provide their database to NPIRS. This site also provides current state contact information for pesticide registrations.
Pesticide & Pesticide Container Disposal
Universal Waste Rule
The Universal Waste Rule (UWR) is a regulation under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) in the United States that simplifies the management and disposal of specific hazardous wastes, encouraging businesses and organizations to handle them properly. The UWR covers categories like batteries, pesticides, mercury-containing equipment, lamps, and, in some cases, aerosol cans. It reduces regulatory burdens by easing requirements for storage, transportation, and labeling while still emphasizing environmental safety. Generators, transporters, and handlers of universal waste follow less stringent rules compared to typical hazardous waste, promoting recycling and preventing improper disposal. However, destination facilities for final treatment or disposal usually require hazardous waste permits. States might have variations or additional requirements, so it’s crucial to check local regulations.
Disposing of Unwanted Pesticides
Pesticide disposal is an important part of your responsibilities as a pesticide user. Unused, unwanted, or banned pesticides are dangerous to keep on your premises. The Colorado Department of Agriculture provides a Google Map to help you locate a site for the disposal of pesticides. The map contains contact information for each county. When contacting a county be sure to check residency requirements, as well as what types of pesticides are accepted.
For additional questions, contact Rob Wawrzynski by phone (303) 869-9042 or email
Pesticide Waste Disposal
The State of Colorado does not provide a centralized service for pesticide waste disposal. If you live within the following counties, please contact your local county program to dispose of any pesticide wastes, which can be found by selecting your county on the map of Colorado on CDA’s Pesticide Waste Disposal web page:
- Adams
- Arapahoe
- Boulder
- Broomfield
- Clear Creek
- Denver
- Douglas
- El Paso
- Garfield
- Gilpin
- Grand
- Jefferson
- Lake
- Larimer
- Mesa
- Park
- Pitkin
- San Miguel
- Summit
- Teller
- Weld
If you do not see your county in the above list, you may contact Clean Harbors for your pesticide waste disposal needs.
- Website: www.cleanharbors.com
- Phone: 303-371-1100 x264
Pesticide Container Disposal
The Ag Container Recycling Council (ACRC) is a not-for-profit organization that works to facilitate the collection and recycling of one-way rigid HDPE plastic agricultural crop protection, specialty pest control, animal health, micronutrient/fertilizer, and/or adjuvant product containers. They will accept HDPE containers that are 55 gallons and smaller. They may also be able to accept shuttles but contact the service provider for more information.
ACRC provides information on
- proper rinsing procedures,
- containers eligibility for recycling,
- and regional contractor contacts for recycling
ACRC has some ‘How to’ videos that demonstrate the proper container rinsing procedures that can be viewed here.
To find the current contractor for Colorado visit the ACRC service map or directly contact:
Phillips and Sons, LLC
248-961-3360
Stacey Bruinsma or Trevor Harding
pickup@gpsagrecycle.com
www.gpsagrecycle.com