New brand inspection fees take effect Oct. 1
- Media Logic Radio
- Sep 22
- 2 min read
Assessment increases begin January 2027
Broomfield, Colo. — After a comprehensive rulemaking process that included extensive stakeholder engagement, the State Board of Stock Inspection Commissioners (part of the Department of Agriculture) will be implementing an increase in brand inspection fees effective Oct. 1, 2025. The five-year brand assessment fee will also increase, beginning in January 2027. These adjustments are crucial to ensure the continued financial stability and operations of the Brand Inspection Division, which is solely funded by user fees and does not receive any state funding.
Colorado’s fee and assessment rates for livestock owners have remained unchanged since 2016. Since then, rising costs and inflationary pressures have resulted in a program deficit projected to reach as high as $3M. In addition to increasing fees, the division has undertaken multiple initiatives to reduce costs and increase efficiencies to lessen the impact of the deficit.
“Brand inspection is vital to Colorado’s $3 billion livestock industry and plays a critical role in ensuring its integrity and economic viability by protecting against loss and theft, ” said Brand Commissioner Todd Inglee. “These necessary fee adjustments will help the Brand Inspection Division remain on solid financial footing and provide the livestock industry the needed loss protection services we offer.”
Even with these increases, Colorado’s brand inspection fees are expected to remain lower than those of neighboring states. You can find more information about the increases in this one-pager and see the full fee schedule here. Both documents can be found at ag.colorado.gov/brands/brands-fee-and-assessment.
The fee adjustments were determined through a formal process that involved a rulemaking hearing, extensive outreach to key industry partners, and multiple meetings with livestock producers across the state to gather valuable feedback and ensure broad participation.
For more information, please visit our website at ag.colorado.gov/brands or call the Brand Inspection Division at 303-869-9160.
