Coop Companion

NPIP in Colorado

Verified September 2026

The short version

Colorado participates in the National Poultry Improvement Plan, administered in-state by the Colorado Avian Health Program at Colorado State University (Colorado's Official State Agency) — not the state Department of Agriculture. As in most states, moving hatching eggs or birds across state lines generally requires NPIP participation or pullorum-typhoid-clean testing. There is no NPIP membership fee in Colorado, though testing fees apply. Exact testing procedures, fee schedules, and in-state sale rules are set by the state agency — confirm current details with them using the official links below.

Colorado Official State Agency

Colorado Avian Health Program, Colorado State University (Official State Agency)

Official website →NPIP contact →

Joining NPIP in this state

  • NPIP is administered in Colorado by the Colorado Avian Health Program at Colorado State University — apply to join through that Official State Agency.
  • Hobbyist, exhibition, and breeding-to-sell flocks fall under the federal rules in 9 CFR part 145 (Subpart E); the state agency handles enrollment and testing locally.
  • The program covers chickens, game birds (pheasants, quail, partridge), waterfowl (ducks, geese), turkeys, and peafowl.
  • The base classification is U.S. Pullorum-Typhoid Clean; other classifications (e.g. Avian Influenza Clean) may apply depending on your birds and where you ship.

Pullorum-typhoid testing

  • Colorado's NPIP annual testing includes pullorum-typhoid blood testing on a percentage of birds in your flock (up to 300 birds), plus avian influenza testing.
  • Poultry moving interstate generally must be pullorum-typhoid clean (via NPIP participation) or test negative before leaving the state — most destination states require it.
  • Testing is performed by an authorized tester; the Colorado Avian Health Program can tell you who can test and how to arrange it.

Selling & shipping eggs and birds

  • Shipping hatching eggs or live birds to another state generally requires NPIP status or pullorum-typhoid-clean testing, because most states bar entry otherwise.
  • Rules for selling within Colorado, and any permits or flock-size thresholds, are set by the state — confirm them directly with the Colorado Avian Health Program.

Show testing requirements

  • Many Colorado shows require pullorum-typhoid testing or NPIP participation for entry; the exact requirement is set by each show and state animal-health rules.
  • Confirm a specific show's testing requirement with the show secretary and the Colorado Avian Health Program before entering.

Record-keeping

  • Keep your NPIP flock/certificate number, testing dates and results, and buyer/sales records — you'll need them for shipping, shows, and inspections.
  • A printable testing log and sales ledger makes this painless — see the NPIP record pack below.

Confirm these with the state agency

  • Whether Colorado currently holds official U.S. Pullorum-Typhoid Clean State status — this was not confirmable from the official sources reviewed; confirm with the Colorado Avian Health Program before relying on it.
  • Colorado's exact testing fee schedule and enrollment procedure — there is no NPIP membership fee, but testing fees apply and are set by the Colorado Avian Health Program; confirm current amounts via the official links.
  • Rules for selling poultry within Colorado (permits, thresholds, farmers-market rules) — confirm with the Colorado Avian Health Program rather than relying on any national summary.

Frequently asked questions

Who administers NPIP in Colorado?
The Colorado Avian Health Program at Colorado State University — Colorado's Official State Agency for the National Poultry Improvement Plan. It is not administered by the Colorado Department of Agriculture.
Do I need NPIP to sell hatching eggs from Colorado?
To ship across state lines, generally yes — most states require poultry and eggs to be pullorum-typhoid clean (via NPIP) to enter. For sales within Colorado, confirm the current rules with the Colorado Avian Health Program.
How much does NPIP cost in Colorado?
There is no NPIP membership fee in Colorado, but testing fees apply and can change. We don't quote a figure here — contact the Colorado Avian Health Program (links above) for the current testing fee schedule.
What poultry can be tested under NPIP in Colorado?
The Colorado Avian Health Program tests chickens, game birds (pheasants, quail, partridge), waterfowl (ducks, geese), turkeys, and peafowl as part of the NPIP.

Sources

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