No matter where you are looking for beekeeping supplies in Colorado, we’ve got you covered.
Beekeepers have been keeping bees in Colorado for over 145 years, with some families embarking on their fourth or fifth generation of beekeeping.
Currently, there are many beekeepers in Colorado, producing over 1,400,000 pounds of honey each year. There are over 38,000 honey bee colonies in Colorado.
There are many areas in Colorado that are ideal for raising honey bees. Because of mild winters, beekeepers have a long season.
Pollination is a good income source for beekeepers in Colorado, due to the large agricultural industry.
Typical beekeeper supplies needed in Colorado include:
Beekeeping Woodenware
The most popular bee hive in the US is the 10-frame Langstroth hive, originally patented in 1852. This hive, for over 170 years, has been the industry standard.
The hive components include:
- Hive body
- Bottom board
- Honey super
- Frames
- Inner cover
- Hive cover
Beekeeper Protective Clothing
The most common protective gear for beekeepers include:
Beekeeping Suits
Both canvas beekeeping suits and ventilated bee suits are available.
Beekeeping Jackets
Canvas bee jackets and ventilated bee jackets are available.
Beekeeping Gloves
Goatskin bee gloves and cowhide bee gloves are available.
Many times, you can purchase a combo pack of a bee suit and bee gloves at a discount.
Please note: Your beekeeping suit or beekeeping jacket should come with a veil included.
Beekeeping Equipment and Tools
Here is a list of some common beekeeping tools:
- Hive tool
- Hive smoker
- Queen marker
- Bee Brush
- Hive feeder
- Entrance reducer
The state association is the Colorado Beekeepers Association.
Where to buy bees and nucs in Colorado?
One of the best places to purchase queen bees, packaged bees and nucleus hives (nucs) is your local bee club.
Here is a list of local bee clubs in Colorado:
- 4 Corners Beekeepers Association (4CBA)
- Brighton Bees Club (BBC)
- Boulder County Beekeepers Association (BCBA)
- Central Colorado Beekeepers Association (CCBA)
- Denver Bee Club (DBC)
- Eastern Colorado Beekeepers Association (ECBA)
- Evergreen Bee Buddies (EBB)
- High Land Bee Keeping Club (HLBKC)
- High Plains Community Beekeepers (HPCB)
- Jefferson County Beekeeper Association (JCBA)
- Mile Hive Bee Club (MHBC)
- Mountain High Beekeepers Cooperative (MHBC)
- Northern Colorado Beekeepers Association (NCBA)
- Pikes Peak Beekeepers (PPBA)
- Pueblo County Beekeepers Association (PCBA)
- Pikes Peak Beekeepers (PPBA)
- Roaring Fork Bee Buddies (RFBB)
- South East Beekeeping Club (SEBA)
- Western Colorado Beekeepers Association (WCBA)
- Westminster Beekeeping Club (WBC)
Beekeeping in Colorado
The Colorado Department of Agriculture regulates the apiary industry.
Colorado Beekeeping Laws
Do you have to register beehives in Colorado?
Colorado does not require state registration of beehives, but certain localities and municipalities do.
Honey Varieties in Colorado
- Agave honey
- Alfalfa honey
- Buckwheat honey
- Clover honey
- Wildflower honey
Although several states produce more honey, few can match Colorado for variety and quality!
Selling Honey in Colorado
Do you need a license to sell honey in Colorado?
If you are selling honey that you have produced, you will need a Retail Food Establishment License, issued by your county health department. Since honey is considered a processed product, you must also register with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment as a wholesale food manufacturing facility.
FAQ
Is Colorado good for beekeeping?
Colorado is home to over 900 species of native pollinators. That makes it one of the richest states in the country in its diversity of native pollinator species.
How do bees survive winter in Colorado?
The bees in Colorado do not hibernate in winter. They vibrate their wings to keep the hive and themselves warm in cold temperatures.
How many acres do you need for a beehive?
Most beekeepers recommend three colonies or less on lots of ¼ acre. Each additional quarter acre can support an additional 3 hives. This does not include nucs.
How many types of bees in Colorado?
There have been 946 native species of bees identified in Colorado. These include honeybees, mining bees, plasterer bees, masked bees, resin bees, leaf-cutting bees, and mason bees.
What plants attract bees in Colorado?
There are over 18 plants that attract bees in Colorado.
They include:
- Amorpha fruticosa (Indigo Bush)
- Asclepias asperula (Antelope-Horns Milkweed)
- Callirhoe involucrata (Purple Poppy Mallow)
- Dalea candida (White Prairie Clover)
- Echinacea angustifolia (Narrow-leaf Coneflower)
- Gaillardia pulchella (Indian Blanket)
Can I have a beehive in my backyard?
Backyard beekeeping is has grown in popularity. You must allow at least 5 square feet of space for each hive. In addition, the bees should have a nearby source of water (within 2 miles). When in doubt, check your local laws and regulations.
