2016 Colorado Revised Statutes
Title 35 - Agricultural
Agricultural Products - Standards and Regulations
Article 27 - Colorado Seed Act
§ 35-27-119. Embargo

(1) (a) This section shall apply if the commissioner finds or has reasonable cause to believe that any seed is:

(I) (A) Adulterated or misbranded; or

(B) Not labeled pursuant to this article; and

(II) (A) In violation of any provision of this article or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant to this article;

(B) From an unregistered seed labeler;

(C) For sale or has been sold by an unregistered retail seed dealer; or

(D) Has been distributed by an unregistered custom seed conditioner.

(b) The commissioner shall conduct an investigation to determine if a violation of paragraph (a) of this subsection (1) has occurred.

(2) If paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of this section applies, the commissioner shall affix to the seed in question labeling to give notice that:

(a) The seed violates this article; and

(b) The seed is embargoed; and

(c) No person may remove or dispose of such seed by sale or otherwise until permission for removal or disposal is given by the commissioner or a court of competent jurisdiction.

(3) If the commissioner determines that embargoed seed is not adulterated or mislabeled, the commissioner shall remove the labeling attached pursuant to subsection (2) of this section.

(4) The owner of seed embargoed under this section may correct any violation found by the commissioner within thirty days after the embargo of such seed. If the violation is not corrected within thirty days, the commissioner may petition a court of competent jurisdiction to condemn such seed.

(5) (a) If a court finds that embargoed seed is in violation of this article, such seed shall, after entry of such court's decree, be destroyed at the expense of the owner, claimant, or custodian thereof, under the supervision of the commissioner, and all court costs, attorney fees, storage fees, and other reasonable and proper expenses shall be assessed against the owner, claimant, or custodian of such seed.

(b) If adulteration or mislabeling of embargoed seed may be corrected by proper conditioning or labeling, the court, after entry of such court's decree and if costs, attorney fees, storage fees, and expenses are paid and a good and sufficient bond is secured by the owner, claimant, or custodian of such seed, may order that such seed be delivered to the owner, claimant, or custodian for corrective labeling or conditioning. Any such corrective labeling or conditioning shall be conducted under the supervision of the commissioner. The expense of such supervision shall be paid by such owner, claimant, or custodian. The seed shall be returned to its owner, claimant, or custodian when the seed no longer violates this article and the expenses of such supervision have been paid. The commissioner shall inform the court of compliance by the owner, claimant, or custodian of the seed.