Colorado Cannabis Testing Overview

Required.
All medical and adult-use cannabis must be tested by a licensed Marijuana Testing Facility (MTF) before it can be sold or transferred. A Certificate of Analysis (COA) is required and must be logged in the Inventory Tracking System (METRC). COAs are required for all consumer-facing products.

Required.
Mandatory potency testing includes:

• Δ⁹-THC
• THCA
• CBD
• CBDA
• Total THC = (THCA × 0.877) + Δ⁹-THC

Required if added or claimed.
Under Rules 4-335 and 3-1015, terpene testing is required if:

• Terpenes are added to a product
• Terpenes are referenced in product labeling or marketing

Common terpenes analyzed include:

• Myrcene
• Limonene
• Caryophyllene
• Pinene
• Linalool

Terpene testing is not mandatory for products without terpene claims.

Comprehensive panel required.

a. Pesticides:

• Testing required for all products
• Regulated list includes 13+ pesticides with strict action limits
• Common banned compounds include: Myclobutanil, Bifenazate, Spinosad
• New RTA Certification Rule (2024): Licensees seeking reduced batch testing must now pay a $4,000 certification fee and meet heightened compliance standards.

b. Microbial Contaminants:

• Required for flower and applicable infused products
• Must test for:
  • E. coli
  • Salmonella spp.
  • Aspergillus flavus, fumigatus, niger, terreus

c. Mycotoxins:

• Required for all applicable products
  • Aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, G2
  • Ochratoxin A
• Covered under Rule 4-245

d. Heavy Metals:

• Required for all product types
  • Arsenic
  • Cadmium
  • Lead
  • Mercury

e. Residual Solvents:

• Required for manufactured and solvent-processed products
• Testing conducted per Rule 4-235
• Common solvents: Butane, Propane, Hexane, Ethanol, Acetone, Benzene

f. Foreign Materials (Visual Inspection):

• Mandated under Rule 4-250
• Products are visually inspected for contaminants such as:
  • Dirt
  • Insect fragments
  • Hair
  • Mold
  • Packaging debris

• Regulated under Rule 4-230
• Flower must be ≤0.65 aw
• Moisture content monitored to control microbial growth and improve shelf stability

Despite its broad coverage, Colorado’s testing program does not explicitly require:

• Pesticides Not Required:
  • Mepiquat chloride
  • Paclobutrazol
  • Chlormequat chloride
  • Fosetyl-Al

• Pathogens Not Named:
  • Listeria monocytogenes
  • Shigella spp.
  • Clostridium botulinum

Low Concern – Colorado maintains a strong, clearly defined testing framework. The 2024 update to RTA rules enhances lab accountability and compliance, while Senate Bill 24-076 reinforces laboratory independence by prohibiting ownership ties between labs and other license types.

Required.

• Flower: ≤0.65 aw
• Monitoring for mold prevention and storage safety
• Moisture content is tracked, though no standalone moisture % threshold is mandated

Colorado Department of Revenue – Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED)
Website: https://sbg.colorado.gov/marijuanaenforcement
Email: dor_medapplications@state.co.us
Phone: (303) 205-8421
Address: 1707 Cole Blvd., Suite 300, Lakewood, CO 80401

Marijuana Enforcement Division (January 1, 2021). Colorado Marijuana Rules. Code of Colorado Regulations. 1 CCR 212-3.

Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division. (2024). CCR 212-3: Marijuana Rules

Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division. (2024). Updated RTA certification and lab independence requirements.