Join the Backyard Market Family of Vendors
How to apply to our market:
Create a free vendor account on MarketSpread here.
Click on the Apply Now button on our markets page to be linked directly to our application.
Carefully read over the application intro before you start it. This includes most of the information you need to know when applying to our market.
Read the additional vendor info on this page to learn more about our market.
If applications are closed, join our interest list for future markets below.
About our Market and Vendors
Shop Local with Us!
Black Forest is a vibrant, community focused market in the Northeast part of Colorado Springs. This is our 7th Season and we have grown a community of vendors that take great pride in the foods they grow and raise, the items they make, and services they provide. The market focuses on providing a variety of high quality and unique vendors for our community. We are also proud participants in the following food assistance programs: SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), Produce Bonus (formerly Double Up Food Bucks) and WIC (approved farmers only).
A Food Focused Market
We strive to provide the most local produce and unique foods for our community. We are always looking for farmers and food producers who focus on healthy, high quality, and innovative culinary delights. Showcasing Colorado’s best produce and food items is what sets us apart.
Chefs and Nutritionists looking to gain exposure, build relationships, and have a little fun in the happiest place in the forest, we invite you to join us! Shop the market on a Saturday morning and cook up something fun for our community! Share your expertise, share your love of food, share your love of local!
Sampling delicious foods is only part of the experience….meet the grower, the baker, the maker, the foodie…..learn about their process, their passion, their culture…..know the story behind your food.
Applications are closed for 2026 but we always want to chat with farmers and food producers considering our market. Please reach out by emailing us! info@thebackyardmarkets.com
We’d love to hear from you!
2026 Season Applications are now CLOSED
Please click the link below and fill out the form to be informed when our applications open in the future:
The Backyard Market maintains a true Farmers Market experience for our community.
We are a Producers only market and, therefore, do not allow vendors who are:
Multi-level marketing companies, catalog sales, direct sales, or any other type of reselling business.
Business booths that are only marketing their business. INSTEAD, we offer an opportunity to be a Marketing Partner or Sponsor of the market. Please check our Sponsor/Partner page if you are interested in learning more.
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Certification of organic, biodynamic and/or natural growing practices, if you are certified by any nationally recognized organizations.
A statement of your growing practices if you are not certified.
Egg License. (Only if you sell more than 250 dozen eggs per month.)
Proof of completion of a Cottage Food Law approve food safety course. (If you are selling value-added food products covered by the Cottage Food Law.)
Proof of liability insurance.
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Retail Food Establishment License.
Business License (if required for your business type by the state of CO)
Sales Tax License. (Only for mobile food vendors.)
Proof of liability insurance.
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Proof of completion of a Cottage Food Law approved food safety course.
Business License (if required for your business type by the state of CO)
Sales Tax License. (Only for mobile food vendors.)
Proof of liability insurance.
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Business License. (if required for your business type by the state of CO)
Sales Tax License.
Proof of liability insurance.
Young Entrepreneur Program
Sponsors needed for 2026!
The Backyard Markets provides a unique opportunity for the youth in our community to get hands-on experience selling to customers in a friendly and fun environment through our Young Entrepreneur Program. Kids ages 7-17 can apply online to be considered, space is limited so we recommend applying early. Kids must be accompanied by a parent at their booth. This program is available during our summer market season which runs from May - October in Black Forest.
Applications open in February. Booth fees are $25
This program is available with the help from generous sponsors and donations from our community. If you are interested in sponsoring a young entrepreneur booth at the market or making a donation, please reach out to us at: info@thebackyardmarkets.com
Colorado Vendor Resources
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As a member of the Colorado Farmers Market Association, we’re happy to share the resources available on their site.
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Sign up for Cottage Foods Food Safety Courses at the El Paso CSU Extension website.
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An excellent resource for all vendors.