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1. History of the Bag Fee

In October of 2011, Aspen City Council adopted Municipal Code 13.24 – Waste Reduction prohibiting the distribution of single-use plastic carryout bags at the two grocery stores in the City of Aspen -- City Market and Clarks Market. The legislation implemented a $0.20 fee on all paper bags utilized by customers.  

In 2021, the Colorado General Assembly enacted House Bill 21-1162 Plastic Pollution Reduction Act (PPRA) to manage the distribution of single-use materials such as plastic and polystyrene in the state.  

While the PPRA requires all applicable stores in Colorado to charge a $0.10 fee on all single-use, carryout bags, the City of Aspen’s ordinance increases the PPRA’s $0.10 per bag fee to align with the existing code, raising the fee to $0.20 per bag. Retailers will remit $0.16 per bag to the City.  

The revenue collected from the single-use bag fees are transferred to the City monthly and are allocated to a Waste Reduction Fee fund only to be used for specialized waste reduction projects. This revenue supports projects including the annual purchasing of reusable bags for free distribution around the city and hosting the free electronic waste collection event for individuals to recycle their electronics.

Click here to read Ordinance 06 of 2023.

Read the Single Use Bag Study (PDF) to learn more about how the Reusable Bag Program is working. Click here for a sample of a sign.

2. I'm a business, how do I comply?

• Charge $0.20 for each single-use carryout bag distributed to a customer. The fee cannot be internalized by the company and must be charged and itemized on the receipt.  
• Remit payment of $0.16 for each bag to the City of Aspen on a quarterly basis:  
  • April 20th
  • July 20th 
  • October 20th 
  • January 20th  
• Stores must provide a sign notifying customers of this program.  
• Restaurants are exempt from the law’s requirements. 

3. What does the City of Aspen do with the fee revenue?

Remitted fees are used for administrative, enforcement costs and costs associated with any recycling, composting, or other waste diversion programs and activities. The revenue will be put into a Waste Reduction Fee fund only to be used for specialized waste reduction projects. This revenue supports projects, including the annual purchasing of reusable bags for free distribution around the city and hosting the free electronic waste collection event for individuals to recycle their electronics.  

4. What counts as a single-use carryout bag?

A paper or plastic bag customers use to package items purchased at a store. It does not include small, lightweight bags to collect items inside a store like produce, bulk food or deli items, or prescription medications.  

  

5. What counts as reusable carryout bag?

According to Colorado state statute, "Reusable carryout bag" means a carryout bag that is designed and manufactured for at least one hundred twenty-five uses, can carry at least twenty-two pounds over a distance of one hundred seventy-five feet, has stitched handles, and is made of cloth, fiber, or other fabric or a recycled material such as polyethylene terephthalate (pet). 

6. What types of bags can I provide my customers?

• You can provide your customers with reusable carryout bags or paper bags made with 100% recycled content.  
• Restaurants are exempt from the law’s requirements. 

7. Are there any exemptions?

Anyone who can prove that they participate in a federal, state or local assistance program is exempt from being charged the bag fee.  

8. If my store is not affected by the law but I want to reduce single-bag use, what can I do?

The most effective thing would be to look for ways to no longer use single-use carryout bags of any kind at your store. Promoting the use of reusable bags is encouraged as much as possible.  

9. Why is the City of Aspen's single-use carryout bag fee different than the state's?

While the PPRA requires all applicable stores in Colorado to charge a $0.10 fee on all single-use, carryout bags starting Jan. 1, 2023, the City of Aspen’s ordinance increases the PPRA’s $0.10 per bag fee to align with the existing code approved in 2011, raising the fee to $0.20 per bag.