Colorado law goes into effect today limiting certain pesticides. What to know

A Colorado law that limits the use of certain pesticides that kill bees is going into effect today, according to a press release from Environment Colorado .

The state legislation, named Neonic Pesticides As Limited-use Pesticides (SB23-266) , was originally passed last year.

Now, the neonics class of insecticides can only be sold by licensed pesticide dealers, “removing them from common retail and garden stores,” the release says.

A study from 2023 that examined declining population of bumble bees in the Western US found increased temperatures, drought and nitroguanidine neonicotinoids pesticide contributed to the negative impacts.

“Taking bee-killing neonics off store shelves is a key step toward saving bees and other insects that play a critical role in our ecosystems and pollinate a lot of the food we eat,” Environment Colorado Advocate Henry Stiles said in the release.

More: Colorado has a pollinator problem. Here's how you can help bring back bees and butterflies

While people that bought neonics pesticides in Colorado before July 1 can still use it, Environment Colorado does not recommend it, Stiles told the Coloradoan.

To find out if your pesticide contains neonicotinoids, check the active ingredients on the bottle label.

"Similar to a nutrition label on our food, you can look at this to see the primary chemicals in the pesticide. If any of the active ingredients include 'acetamiprid,' 'clothianidin,' 'dinotefuran,' 'imidacloprid' or 'thiamethoxam,' that’s a neonicotinoid, and you should avoid using that pesticide," an article from Environment America says .

Stiles said he's lived in the Front Range for over 20 years and has never had to use pesticide on his garden.

"We recommend using native plants which have natural defenses. Also, using natural predators — for example using ladybugs to get rid of aphids," Stiles said on an email.

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Colorado law goes into effect today limiting certain pesticides. What to know