Colorado Corn Promotion Council

What Colorado Corn Promotion Council does

Colorado Corn Promotion Council (CCPC) is a Colorado state-level nonprofit agricultural checkoff organization established in 1987 under the Colorado Agricultural Marketing Act of 1939, headquartered in Centennial, Colorado. The organization operates a mandatory one-cent-per-bushel assessment on all grain corn sold in Colorado, collected by first handlers (primarily elevators and livestock feeders) and remitted to CCPC. These producer-funded dollars are invested in market development, research, promotion, and outreach programs designed to enhance the viability of the grain corn industry in the state.

CCPC is governed by a seven-member board of directors (reduced from 20 in October 2022) elected by corn producers and appointed by the Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture, supported by a four-person staff including an Executive Director, Communications Consultant, Stewardship/Innovations/Industry Partners Manager, and Outreach and Operations Specialist. The organization's core offering is the Producer First Platform, which coordinates demand-building programs targeting both producers (efficiency, sustainability, profitability) and consumers (education, trust-building). Programs include the Radicle Corn Value Chain Challenge (a startup investment vehicle for new corn uses), the Direct Ethanol Fuel Cell Project (multi-state DEFC initiative with Iowa Corn), sustainability initiatives aligned with NCGA's 2030 goals, and consumer education delivered through the Colorado Reader publication (65,000 copies annually), Field Kernels bi-weekly newsletter (3,500 subscribers), and radio broadcasts across 25 stations.

CCPC's revenue model is structurally a transaction-fee model tied to corn sales volumes. The organization partners with NCGA, U.S. Grains Council, U.S. Meat Export Federation, Colorado State University, Growth Energy, and over 25 additional state and national organizations to drive demand domestically (livestock feed at 48% of U.S. corn use, ethanol at 30%) and internationally (Mexico 25%, Japan 21%, South Korea 9% of U.S. corn exports). Customer segments include grain corn producers (primary, vertical), first handlers (compliance vertical), strategic partners (horizontal), and consumers (horizontal outreach). CCPC is not venture-backed, has no parent company, and is independent of public equity markets.

Name

Colorado Corn Promotion Council

Legal name

Colorado Corn Promotion Council

Website

https://coloradocorn.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Colorado Corn Promotion Council is a state-level nonprofit checkoff organization, established in 1987, that invests producer-funded one-cent-per-bushel assessments in research, market development, and outreach to enhance the viability of Colorado's grain corn industry for its farmer-members.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Commodity Checkoff and Market Development

NAICS

Corn Farming (11115)

SIC

Agricultural Production-Crops (100), Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Corn (Maize) Farming (AFAGAAAB)

Keywords

• Corn checkoff programs
• Agricultural market development
• Grain corn research
• Producer advocacy services
• Sustainability initiatives

Headquarters

HQ city

Centennial

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Operations

Revenue model

1. Corn Checkoff Assessment: The Colorado Corn Promotion Council manages a one-penny-per-bushel assessment on all grain corn sold in Colorado, collected by first handlers (typically elevators or livestock feeders). These producer dollars are invested in research, market development, outreach, and education to enhance the viability of the grain corn industry. The assessment was established by Colorado producers in 1987 under the Colorado Corn Marketing Order.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Colorado Corn Promotion Council is a producer-driven, nonprofit commodity commission that administers a one-cent-per-bushel assessment on Colorado grain corn sales. The Council reinvests those producer dollars into market development, agricultural research, sustainability programs, and promotion/outreach to strengthen the grain corn industry. Core operations center on funding research with Colorado State University, building domestic and international demand through partnerships with NCGA, USGC, and USMEF, and communicating with producers and consumers about corn.

Product overview

Colorado Corn Promotion Council (CCPC) is a producer-driven agricultural organization that manages demand-building programs and research projects for Colorado grain corn. The organization operates through its core Producer First Platform™ which coordinates research funding, market development, promotion, and outreach initiatives. CCPC offers publications (Field Kernels, Field Notes, Field Journal, Annual Reports), manages the corn checkoff assessment program, and runs strategic initiatives like the Radicle Corn Value Chain Challenge. The organization also participates in the Direct Ethanol Fuel Cell project for ethanol-to-electricity conversion technology.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Radicle Corn Value Chain Challenge An investment and startup-support program that deploys $1.75 million in producer-checkoff funds alongside other state corn organizations to back startups creating innovative new uses for corn. In June 2025, Låkril Technologies and New Iridium each received $750,000 investments through this program. Target beneficiaries are Colorado corn producers and the broader corn value chain, with the goal of expanding long-term demand for grain corn through new products, materials, and industrial applications such as bioplastics and sustainable aviation fuel.
• Direct Ethanol Fuel Cell Project A research collaboration between CCPC, Iowa Corn, and a consortium of state corn checkoffs to develop direct ethanol fuel cell (DEFC) technology that uses ethanol to generate electricity. The project aims to create new demand for U.S. grain corn by expanding the market for corn-based ethanol into electricity generation, including in hard-to-electrify applications.
• Producer First Platform The Council's core platform that coordinates checkoff-funded programs to help Colorado corn producers increase profitability, expand market opportunities, drive sustainability practices, and influence corn industry initiatives. Producer First Platform is the unifying framework that delivers research, market development, promotion, and outreach services to grain corn farmers.
• Field Journal CCPC's flagship industry magazine published 3-4 times per year, delivering industry news, stakeholder and strategic partner updates, and in-depth coverage of the grain corn industry to Colorado producers and industry stakeholders.

Quantifiable outcome

• 12% increase in land use efficiency by 2030
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• National Corn Growers Association (NCGA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded in 1957, NCGA represents nearly 40,000 dues-paying corn growers and the interests of more than 300,000 farmers through checkoff programs. CCPC partners with NCGA on sustainability initiatives, policy advocacy, and national corn industry programs including the 2030 sustainability goals.
• U.S. Grains Council (USGC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSGC builds demand for U.S. corn and corn products like ethanol and DDGS in countries across the world. Top export destinations are Mexico (25%), Japan (21%), and South Korea (9%). CCPC works with USGC to build relationships in international markets.
• U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSMEF builds international markets for red meat, which equates to bushels of grain exported as protein. Beef and pork exports used nearly 14.9 million tons of corn and DDGS. CCPC has focused on projects to build meat demand in Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and the Caribbean.
• Colorado State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary research partner for CCPC-funded projects. Collaborates on soil health, sustainability, water management, and production research. CSU researchers including those at the Agricultural Experiment Station, Crops Testing Program, and TAPS program work with CCPC.
• Growth EnergymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEthanol industry partner working to promote higher ethanol blends such as E15 and E85. Supports renewable fuel initiatives and consumer education about ethanol fuel options.
• Renewable Fuels AssociationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEthanol industry partner advocating for renewable fuels and working to expand market access for corn ethanol.
• Colorado BeefmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState-level industry partner working to promote beef consumption and strengthen the cattle-corn value chain in Colorado.
• Colorado Pork Producer CouncilsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState-level partner promoting pork consumption and supporting research related to corn as feed for swine.
• Dairy MAXmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional dairy promotion organization partnering with CCPC to promote dairy products and support the dairy-corn value chain.
• Colorado Livestock AssociationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState industry organization representing livestock producers, working with CCPC on issues affecting the livestock-corn relationship.
• Colorado Farm BureaumajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor agricultural organization in Colorado, collaborating with CCPC on policy issues, sustainability, and industry advocacy.
• Colorado Department of AgriculturemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState government agency partnering on agricultural policy, sustainability programs including STAR, and regulatory matters.
• Radicle GrowthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInvestment partner in the Radicle Corn Value Chain Challenge, investing $1.75 million in startups developing new uses for corn. Låkril Technologies and New Iridium each received $750,000 investment through this challenge.
• American Lung AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner through Colorado Clean Cities Coalitions working on clean air initiatives and ethanol promotion.
• National Association of Convenience StoresminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner promoting higher ethanol blends at retail fuel locations through the 'Look for the Blue Hose' campaign.
• Colorado FFA FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation partner supporting the next generation of agriculturalists through FFA programs and leadership development.
• Colorado Foundation for AgriculturemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner producing the Colorado Reader publication (65,000 copies annually) distributed to classrooms statewide with corn as a main topic annually.
• 4-H FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth development organization partnered with CCPC to support agricultural education and programs for youth.
• All American Beef BattalionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization supporting military members through steak dinners, partnered with CCPC to promote beef industry.
• CommonGroundminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational agricultural outreach program connectingfarm women with consumers to build trust in farming and food.
• Colorado Clean Cities CoalitionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerClean cities program with Denver Metro, Northern, and Southern Colorado chapters working on renewable fuel initiatives.
• Ag Transportation CoalitionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition addressing agricultural transportation issues affecting corn exports and market access.
• Ag CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerColorado agricultural council working on industry coordination and policy matters affecting corn producers.
• Colorado Agricultural Leadership ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram developing agricultural leaders in Colorado, partnered with CCPC for leadership development.
• Colorado Cattlemen's AssociationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState cattle organization working with CCPC on cattle-corn industry issues and market development.
• Colorado Egg ProducersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState egg producer organization partnering with CCPC on corn feed demand and industry issues.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• American Soybean Association: U.S. soybean checkoff and grower advocacy organization. A peer in the adjacent row-crop commodity-promotion space, with the same producer-funded structure, sustainability programs, and international market-development mandate, providing a structural template comparison for CCPC.
• U.S. Grains Council (USGC): The international market-development organization CCPC channels funding through to build export demand for U.S. corn, ethanol, and DDGS. While not a direct competing checkoff, USGC is the closest functional partner executing the demand-side mission CCPC prioritizes.

Direct peers

• Nebraska Corn Board: Nebraska's state corn checkoff, also funded by a per-bushel assessment. Highly comparable in scale, governance, and program priorities including ethanol exports and livestock-feed promotion, and a frequent co-investor with CCPC in national checkoff-funded initiatives.
• Iowa Corn Growers Association: Iowa's state corn checkoff and grower association. Functions under the same producer-funded model as CCPC, running market development, research, and ethanol promotion for the largest corn-producing state. The closest direct comparison on structure, governance, and program mix.
• Indiana Corn Marketing Council: Indiana's state corn checkoff organization running market development, research, and promotion under a per-bushel assessment. Operates with a similar staff size and program footprint to CCPC, making it a direct structural peer.
• Minnesota Corn Research & Promotion Council: Minnesota's state corn checkoff running research, promotion, and market development with a comparable staff and program footprint to CCPC. Often co-funds national initiatives including ethanol and DDGS market development.
• Missouri Corn Merchandising Council: Missouri's state corn checkoff using a per-bushel assessment to fund research, promotion, and market development. Comparable in scope and budget size to CCPC and a frequent collaborator on USGC-supported export programs.
• Illinois Corn Marketing Board: State-level corn checkoff administering a per-bushel assessment in Illinois. Mirrors CCPC's mandate of funding research, market development, and promotion, often collaborating with NCGA and USGC on the same national initiatives CCPC supports.

Regional players

• National Sorghum Producers: The national sorghum checkoff/grower association operating under a per-bushel assessment. Comparable in structure and rural-agriculture advocacy role, but operates in a different commodity/value-chain silo than CCPC's grain corn focus.

Broad incumbents

• National Corn Growers Association (NCGA): The national umbrella for state corn checkoffs and grower associations, representing ~40,000 dues-paying growers. CCPC is explicitly a partner organization feeding into NCGA's policy, sustainability (2030 goals), and innovation agendas, putting NCGA in an incumbent, broader-scope role relative to CCPC's state-level focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/coloradocornfan
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/colorado-corn-promotion-council
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCxyz
• Xx.com/cogrown

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Colorado Corn Promotion Council