Frequently Asked Questions

(FAQ’s)

A market order helps stabilize markets for particular farm commodities. The State of Colorado has established market orders for corn, dry beans, milk, potatoes, sunflowers, sweet corn and wheat.  The Milk Marketing Order is designed to reduce economic waste by creating uniform, fair marketing practices and promote healthful competition which benefits Colorado consumers, producers, handlers and distributors.

Simply click here to visit the CO Milk Marketing Order page. On that page, you can view, download, or print the Marketing Order.

Please contact us and we will send you an introductory, educational packet to get started on information sheets, subscriptions, price posting requirements and assessment processes.

All fluid milk including flavored milk, ice cream, ice cream mixes, ice cream novelties, sherbet, sherbet mixes, gelato, ice milk, ice milk mixes, sour cream, cottage cheese, cream products (half and half whipping and dairy based coffee creamers) and any similar substances or mixtures that are predominantly milk or cream based.

However, the Order does NOT regulate powdered milk, evaporated or condensed milk, cheese, dips, dressings, yogurt or plant based dairy items.

Prices, discounts and rebate schedules must be submitted anytime there is a change in price on a regulated dairy item to wholesale customers based on their type of service and/or when new regulated dairy items are added for sale to wholesale customers.  The filing of wholesale price schedules only applies to handlers, handler-distributors and distributors. (For more information, please reference Section III of the Colorado Milk Marketing Order.)

Handlers, handler-distributors and distributors may subscribe to price postings by submitting a Public Records Request (see Forms).  To promote a fair and level playing field in the marketing of milk in Colorado, all approved price schedules are available for review by subscribing to any or all companies that are engaged in the wholesale delivery of regulated dairy products.

Coupons are allowed to be offered to consumers on ONLY the following regulated items – ice cream, ice cream novelties, ice cream mixes, ice milk and ice milk mixes.  The coupon must be submitted for approval and may not result in any sales below cost. (See Section III, article 22 in the Milk Marketing Order for more detailed information.)

In order to administer the Colorado Milk Marketing Order, expenses are incurred by the Colorado Milk Marketing Board.  The assessments to cover these expenses are derived from a pro-rata share by each handler’s utilization of regulated products produced/sold/distributed in the state of Colorado. The Assessment Form is located under “Forms” for your use.

  • Subject to the Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture’s approval, the Colorado Milk Marketing Board (CMMB) administers the Colorado Milk Marketing Order.
  • The Colorado Milk Marketing Board (CMMB) manages the quarterly Colorado Milk Marketing Board meetings which are open to the public and provide a venue for the discussion of issues to include and/or any proposed modifications to the Colorado Milk Marketing Order.
  • The CMMB receives, investigates, and refers violations to the Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture for enforcement action if necessary (The CMMB has no independent disciplinary authority and works in conjunction with the Colorado Attorney General’s Office).
  • The CMMB conducts compliance audits of the wholesale dairy industry operating in the state of Colorado and manages the filing of wholesale prices by producers, handlers, and distributors as required by the Milk Order in Colorado.
  • CMMB responds to questions and concerns from the wholesale dairy industry concerning the Colorado Milk Order.
  • Issued by the Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture in 1963 to control disorderly wholesale marketing and unfair competition that was harming producers and consumers.
  • Requires producers, handlers, and distributors to file and post wholesale dairy product pricing in the State of Colorado. Prohibits sales of dairy products at non-posted prices also prohibits sales below cost.
  • Milk and Milk products are defined in the Colorado Milk Marketing Order and include a wide variety of products such as milk, flavored milks, reduced fat milk, buttermilk, eggnog, milk-cream mixtures, ice cream, ice cream mixes, sherbet, cottage cheese, sour cream and any similar substances, mixtures or compounds regardless of the name which they are sold (see Colorado Milk Order)
  • The Colorado Milk Marketing Order does not apply to dried milk, evaporated or condensed milk, dips, dressings, butter, yogurt, cheese or manufactured items containing milk which have been processed into a different form (see Colorado Milk Order).
  • Requires that all similarly situated wholesale customers be afforded uniform pricing. Discriminatory and predatory wholesale pricing is not allowed in the State of Colorado.

Yes, the quarterly Colorado Milk Marketing Board meetings are open to the public and provide a venue for the discussion of issues to include and/or any proposed modifications to the Colorado Milk Marketing Order.

The CMMB does not set wholesale pricing or regulate retail dairy pricing in Colorado.

The Colorado Milk Marketing Order does not set prices and does not apply to retail operations.

The CMMB receives, investigates, and refers violations to the Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture for enforcement action if necessary (The CMMB has no independent disciplinary authority and works in conjunction with the Colorado Attorney General’s Office).

The CMMB conducts compliance audits of the wholesale dairy industry operating in the state of Colorado and manages the filing of wholesale prices by producers, handlers, and distributors as required by the Milk Order in Colorado.

Please contact us here at the Colorado Milk Marketing Board either by email or by phone. Our email is cmmb@comilkboard.com and our phone number is 303.757.7418. You can also visit the Contact page to send us a message from this site. Our staff is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm (Mountain Time) to assist you.