No, home production of moonshine—defined as distilled spirits without proper licensing—remains illegal in Colorado under both federal and state statutes. The Colorado Department of Revenue’s Liquor Enforcement Division actively monitors unlicensed distillation, and recent 2026 compliance directives emphasize stricter penalties for non-commercial still operations. Federal law (26 U.S.C. § 5601) prohibits unregistered stills, while Colorado Revised Statutes § 12-47-103 criminalize possession of distillation equipment without a manufacturer’s license.
Key Regulations for Making Moonshine at Home in Colorado
- Federal Registration Requirement: Distilling spirits at home requires registration with the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) under 27 CFR Part 19, a process Colorado applicants must complete before any production.
- State Licensing Mandate: Colorado’s Liquor Enforcement Division (LED) enforces § 12-47-103, which criminalizes unlicensed distillation, with violations punishable by fines up to $5,000 and potential misdemeanor charges.
- Equipment Restrictions: Possession of a still—even unused—without a manufacturer’s license (Colo. Rev. Stat. § 12-47-102) constitutes a Class 2 misdemeanor, reflecting the state’s zero-tolerance policy for unregulated spirits production.