Section 25-4-1601 - Legislative declaration(1) The general assembly hereby finds, determines, and declares that it is in the public interest for the department of public health and environment to establish minimum standards and rules for retail food establishments in Colorado and to provide authority for the uniform statewide administration, implementation, interpretation, and enforcement of such minimum standards and rules. Such standards and rules are established to:(a) Ensure the safety of food prepared, sold, or served in retail food establishments;(b) Maximize public health protection;(c) Identify hazards and potential sources of contamination and take measures to prevent, reduce, or eliminate the physical, chemical, or biological agents in food prepared, sold, or served in retail food establishments; and(d) Improve the sanitary condition of all retail food establishments, reduce food-borne illness outbreaks, and control the spread of food-borne disease from retail food establishments.(2) This part 16 is deemed an exercise of the police powers of the state for the protection of the health and social welfare of the people of the state of Colorado.L. 98: Entire part R&RE, p. 1244, § 1, effective July 1. L. 2009: IP(1) amended, (SB 09-223), ch. 255, p. 1151, §1, effective May 15.This section is similar to former § 25-4-1601 as it existed prior to 1998.