Bradford’s ‘Cake Bill’ Passes the Taste Test in House Committee

Mandy Gabelson, of Mesa County's Ava Sweet Cakes, and Rep. Laura Bradford together in the Capitol's Old Supreme Court Chambers

DENVER—Cottage industry bakers and food enthusiasts around the state are excited by the smells wafting from Rep. Laura Bradford’s legislative kitchen. The House Economic and Business Development Committee, today, passed Bradford’s ‘Cake Bill’ with unanimous support.

House Bill 1027, allows cottage industry food producers to directly sell nonpotentially hazardous foods to consumers at off-premise sites—like farmers markets and roadside stands—without being commercially licensed.

“This is a common sense bill,” said Bradford, R-Colbran. “Freeing the cottage industry from regulatory burdens intended for large-scale producers helps them grow their businesses and helps their local economy.”

Under the bill’s guidelines, cottage food producers would still need to register with a county or district public health agency for a fee up to $100 and carry home baker liability insurance. Their products would also need to be labeled and include specific information, like the producer’s name, ingredients and a disclaimer.

Supporters of the bill descended on the Capitol in droves before the bill was heard in committee, distributing cupcakes in boxes stickered with the Colorado flag to demonstrate their enthusiasm for Bradford’s measure.

“Baking at home and selling my goods helps me close the gap on my monthly budget,” said Mandy Gabelson, who runs Ava Sweet Cakes from her home, in Mesa County. “Bradford’s bill helps me pursue my real passion: being a mom, at home with my kids.”

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