StateCrafted Verification Policy

Colorado’s Verified Marketplace for Local Makers

Effective Date:	June 1, 2026
Last Updated:	June 1, 2026
Applies To:	All sellers registered or applying to sell on statecrafted.co
Administered By:	StateCrafted LLC, Denver, Colorado
Questions?:	hello@statecrafted.co

Verification is the foundation of StateCrafted. It is what separates us from every other online marketplace — and it is what makes buyers’ trust in our platform meaningful. This policy explains exactly how our three-tier verification system works, what sellers must provide, what each badge represents, and how verification is maintained over time.

Every seller on StateCrafted holds at least one verified badge. That badge is not a logo purchase or a self-reported claim — it is the result of a documented review process. This policy exists to make that process transparent, consistent, and fair for every seller on the platform.

1. Why Verification Matters

The “shop local” and “handmade” categories on most online marketplaces are full of products that are neither. Overseas resellers, dropshippers, and mass manufacturers use the same keywords as genuine local artisans — and buyers have no reliable way to tell them apart.

StateCrafted was built to fix that. Our verification system provides buyers with documented proof — not promises — that every seller is Colorado-connected, and that every product meets the standard its badge represents. For sellers, verification means standing apart from the noise and being recognized for the genuine work they do.

✓ Every badge on StateCrafted is earned through a documented review process. No badge can be purchased, self-assigned, or inherited. If it’s on our platform, it’s been verified.

2. The Three-Tier Verification System

StateCrafted uses a tiered verification model. Each tier builds on the previous one, with progressively higher documentation requirements and greater trust signals. Sellers must achieve at minimum Tier 1 to sell on the Platform.

Tier	Badge	What It Confirms	Processing Time	Search Benefit
Tier 1	Bronze	Colorado-owned business or resident maker	24–48 hours	Standard placement
Tier 2	Silver	Products made or assembled in Colorado	48–72 hours	Improved placement
Tier 3	Gold	51%+ of materials sourced from Colorado	72–96 hours	Priority placement

Higher tiers are not required, but they unlock meaningful platform benefits: improved search placement, eligibility for Curated Collections, Homepage features, and stronger buyer trust signals. Sellers are encouraged to pursue the highest tier their business can genuinely support.

3. Tier 1: Colorado-0(Bronze Badge)

3.1 What It Means

The Colorado-Owned badge confirms that the seller is either a Colorado-registered business or a Colorado resident who operates their craft as a business. It establishes that the seller is genuinely rooted in Colorado — not a distant reseller using Colorado as a marketing keyword.

3.2 Required Documentation

Sellers must submit one of the following:

BRONZE — Colorado-Owned

Option A — Business Registration: Active Colorado Secretary of State business registration, showing entity name, owner, and “Active” status

Option B — Personal Identification: Valid, unexpired Colorado-issued driver’s license or state ID (name must match the seller account)

3.3 Verification Process

• Seller submits documentation through the secure application portal
• StateCrafted verifies entity name and active status against the Colorado Secretary of State database (for Option A)
• StateCrafted confirms the ID is Colorado-issued, current, and matches the account holder (for Option B)
• Decision issued within 24–48 hours of complete submission

3.4 Approval and Badge Assignment

Upon approval, the Bronze “Colorado-Owned” badge is applied to the seller’s Storefront and all product listings. The seller receives an approval email with onboarding next steps. The badge remains active until revoked or until re-verification is due.

3.5 If Additional Information Is Needed

If submitted documentation is incomplete, illegible, or cannot be verified, StateCrafted will notify the seller by email specifying what is needed. The seller has 14 days to provide the requested materials. Applications that remain incomplete after 14 days may be closed, requiring the seller to reapply.

4. Tier 2: Colorado-Made (Silver Badge)

4.1 What It Means

The Colorado-Made badge confirms that the seller’s products are physically made or assembled in Colorado. This tier goes beyond ownership — it verifies that the making itself happens here, in a Colorado workspace, by the seller’s own hands.

4.2 Prerequisites

Sellers must hold an active Tier 1 (Colorado-Owned) badge before applying for Tier 2.

4.3 Required Documentation

Sellers must submit all of the following:

SILVER — Colorado-Made

1. Active Tier 1 verification: Colorado-Owned badge must be current and in good standing
2. Workspace documentation (one of): Photo of your workspace/studio with a visible Colorado landmark in the background, OR a recent utility bill (within 60 days) showing a Colorado address, accompanied by a workspace photo
3. Production process description: A written description (minimum 100 words) of how you make your products, written in your own words. This should describe your hands-on process — materials used, how they are worked, and what role you personally play in production
4. Sample product photos: At least 3 photos of finished products that demonstrate consistent craftsmanship. These should represent what a buyer would actually receive

4.4 Verification Process

• StateCrafted confirms Tier 1 is active
• Workspace documentation is reviewed for a legitimate Colorado production environment
• If a utility bill is submitted, it is checked for a Colorado address and must be dated within 60 days of the application
• The production process description is reviewed for evidence of genuine hands-on making — vague or generic descriptions may be returned for revision
• Product photos are reviewed for quality and consistency with the production description
• Decision issued within 48–72 hours of complete submission

4.5 Approval and Badge Assignment

Upon approval, the Silver “Colorado-Made” badge is applied to the seller’s Storefront and all product listings, replacing the Bronze badge display at the higher tier level. The seller receives an approval email. Silver badge holders receive improved search placement over Bronze-only sellers.

5. Tier 3: Colorado-Sourced (Gold Badge)

5.1 What It Means

The Colorado-Sourced badge is StateCrafted’s highest verification tier. It confirms not only that a seller makes their products in Colorado, but that the majority of the materials used to make them also come from Colorado suppliers. This is the fullest expression of what “Colorado-made” means — made here, from here.

5.2 Prerequisites

Sellers must hold an active Tier 2 (Colorado-Made) badge before applying for Tier 3.

5.3 Required Documentation

Sellers must submit all of the following in addition to active Tier 2 verification:

GOLD — Colorado-Sourced

1. Active Tier 2 verification: Colorado-Made badge must be current and in good standing
2. Material sourcing breakdown: A complete list of primary materials used in your products, with the source (supplier name and state) and approximate percentage of total material cost for each. This breakdown must demonstrate that Colorado-sourced materials account for 51% or more of total material cost
3. Supplier documentation: Invoices, receipts, or purchase records from Colorado-based suppliers confirming that materials were sourced from within the state. Documents must clearly show supplier name, Colorado address, and the materials purchased. Documents should be dated within the past 12 months
4. Percentage calculation: A clear calculation showing how the 51% threshold is met, with the methodology explained. StateCrafted will verify the math

5.4 The 51% Rule

The Tier 3 threshold requires that 51% or more of a seller’s total material cost — by dollar value — comes from Colorado-based suppliers. This percentage is calculated across the seller’s primary product line, not on a product-by-product basis.

Materials that count toward the Colorado-sourced threshold:

• Raw materials purchased from Colorado-based suppliers
• Finished components manufactured in Colorado
• Natural materials harvested or gathered in Colorado (with documentation)

Materials that do not count:

• Materials from out-of-state suppliers, regardless of origin
• Packaging, shipping materials, or tools
• Materials sourced from suppliers whose Colorado location cannot be confirmed

Note: If your product line includes items with very different material sources, StateCrafted may ask you to calculate the percentage separately for each product category to confirm the overall threshold is met.

5.5 Verification Process

• StateCrafted confirms Tier 2 is active
• The material sourcing breakdown is reviewed for completeness and clarity
• Each supplier document is checked to confirm the supplier’s Colorado location and that materials match the breakdown
• The percentage calculation is independently verified by StateCrafted
• If the 51% threshold is not met, the seller will be notified and may be offered Tier 2 retention
• Decision issued within 72–96 hours of complete submission

5.6 Approval and Badge Assignment

Upon approval, the Gold “Colorado-Sourced” badge is applied to the seller’s Storefront and all product listings. Gold badge holders receive priority search placement and are eligible for all platform premium features, including Homepage Banner rotation, Curated Collections (all), and the Wholesale Program.

6. Verification Standards and Integrity

6.1 Documentation Requirements

All documentation submitted for verification must be:

• Genuine and unaltered — documents that have been edited, cropped to hide information, or otherwise manipulated will not be accepted
• Current — government IDs must be unexpired; utility bills must be within 60 days; supplier invoices must be within 12 months
• Legible — blurry, dark, or partial photos of documents may be returned for resubmission
• In the seller’s name or business name as registered on the StateCrafted account

6.2 Seller Representations

By submitting verification documentation, the seller affirms that:

• All submitted documents are genuine, accurate, and currently valid
• The seller is the authorized owner or representative of the business being verified
• The seller’s products meet the standards of the tier being applied for
• The seller will notify StateCrafted within 14 days of any material change affecting their eligibility for any tier

⚠️ Submitting fraudulent, altered, or misrepresented verification documents is a material breach of the Seller Agreement and may result in immediate account termination. StateCrafted reserves the right to report fraudulent documentation to appropriate authorities.

6.3 Confidentiality of Submitted Documents

Verification documents are stored securely and used only for the purpose of confirming seller eligibility. Documents are not shared with buyers, third parties, or other sellers. StateCrafted retains verification documents for the duration of the seller’s active account plus five years, in accordance with the Privacy Policy.

7. Ongoing Verification Requirements

7.1 Annual Re-Verification

All verified sellers must complete re-verification once per year. This requirement exists because businesses change — ownership transfers, production moves, supplier relationships shift. Annual re-verification ensures that every active badge continues to reflect reality.

The re-verification process:

• StateCrafted sends a re-verification notice 30 days before the seller’s verification anniversary date
• The seller confirms that their existing documentation remains current, or submits updated documentation where needed
• Approximately 20% of sellers are selected for fresh documentation review as part of each re-verification cycle
• Re-verification must be completed within 14 days of the due date

Sellers who do not complete re-verification by the deadline will have their badges suspended until re-verification is complete. Suspended badges are not displayed on the Storefront or product listings. Sellers have up to 30 days after the deadline to complete re-verification before their account may be subject to further review.

7.2 Quarterly Spot Checks

StateCrafted conducts random spot checks on approximately 10% of verified sellers each quarter. Spot checks may include:

• Requests for updated or additional documentation
• Cross-referencing submitted information against public records (Colorado Secretary of State, etc.)
• Review of product listings for consistency with the seller’s verified tier
• Follow-up questions about production process or material sourcing

Sellers selected for a spot check will be notified by email and given 7 business days to respond. Cooperation with spot checks is a condition of maintaining verification. Failure to respond or to provide requested documentation within the allotted time may result in badge suspension.

7.3 Triggered Reviews

In addition to annual re-verification and quarterly spot checks, StateCrafted may initiate a verification review at any time based on:

• A substantiated buyer complaint regarding product authenticity or Colorado origin
• Inconsistencies identified between a seller’s listings and their verified tier
• A report from another seller or community member, reviewed and assessed by StateCrafted
• Information suggesting the seller’s circumstances have changed (e.g., business relocation, ownership change)

Sellers subject to a triggered review will be notified. The seller’s badge may be temporarily suspended during the review period. StateCrafted aims to resolve triggered reviews within 10 business days.

8. Badge Suspension and Revocation

8.1 Badge Suspension

A badge may be temporarily suspended — removed from display while remaining on record — in the following situations:

• Annual re-verification is past due
• A spot check request has not been responded to within 7 business days
• A verification review is in progress
• The seller has been notified of a potential issue and is within the remedy period

A suspended badge is not visible to buyers. During suspension, affected products may receive reduced search placement. Suspension is lifted upon successful completion of the triggering requirement.

8.2 Badge Revocation

A badge may be permanently revoked — removed from the seller’s account entirely — in the situations below. Revocation requires a new verification application to restore.

Grounds for Revocation	Notice Given?	Action
Fraudulent or altered documents	No — immediate revocation	Badge removed; account reviewed for termination
Products no longer meet tier requirements	Yes — 14 days to remedy	Badge suspended; revoked if not remedied
Annual re-verification not completed	Yes — 30-day advance notice sent	Badge suspended; restored upon completion
Failed spot check	Yes — 7 days to provide documentation	Badge suspended pending review
Substantiated buyer complaint re: authenticity	Yes — 14 days to respond	Badge suspended during investigation

8.3 Account Termination for Verification Fraud

Sellers found to have submitted fraudulent documentation are subject to immediate account termination in addition to badge revocation. This includes submitting documents that have been:

• Digitally edited or altered
• Borrowed from another person or business
• Fabricated or created to appear genuine

Terminated accounts are not eligible for reinstatement. StateCrafted reserves the right to share evidence of fraud with the Colorado Attorney General or other relevant authorities.

9. Appealing a Verification Decision

Sellers who receive an adverse verification decision — including denial, suspension, or revocation — may appeal by contacting StateCrafted at hello@statecrafted.co within 14 days of the decision with the subject line “Verification Appeal.”

Appeals must include:

• The specific decision being appealed
• A clear explanation of why the seller believes the decision was incorrect
• Any additional documentation that supports the appeal

StateCrafted will review all appeals and respond within 10 business days. Appeal decisions are final. Sellers may reapply for verification at any time if they can provide documentation that meets the applicable tier requirements.

Note: Appeals are for contesting decisions, not for requesting exceptions to documentation requirements. If a seller’s business does not currently meet a tier’s requirements, the correct path is to apply for the tier their business does qualify for.

10. What the Badges Mean to Buyers

This section explains what buyers can rely on when they see a StateCrafted verification badge — and what the badge does not cover.

10.1 What Buyers Can Trust

• The seller is a Colorado-registered business or Colorado resident — verified through official documentation. Bronze (Colorado-Owned):
• The seller makes or assembles their products in a Colorado workspace — verified through workspace documentation and a reviewed production process description. Silver (Colorado-Made):
• The seller makes their products in Colorado and sources at least 51% of their materials from Colorado suppliers — verified through supplier invoices and a reviewed material breakdown. Gold (Colorado-Sourced):

10.2 What the Badge Does Not Guarantee

A verification badge confirms Colorado eligibility at the time of verification and most recent re-verification. It does not guarantee:

• The quality or safety of any individual product (though our listing standards require accuracy)
• That every item in a seller’s catalog is made using Colorado-sourced materials (for Bronze and Silver sellers)
• That the seller’s circumstances have not changed since their last verification (though annual re-verification and spot checks are designed to catch this)

If a buyer believes a seller’s badge is inaccurate or that a product does not reflect its listed verification tier, they are encouraged to report it to hello@statecrafted.co. All reports are reviewed confidentially.

11. Reporting a Verification Concern

StateCrafted takes the integrity of its verification system seriously. Anyone — buyer, seller, or third party — may report a concern about a seller’s verification status by contacting hello@statecrafted.co with the subject line “Verification Concern.”

Please include:

• The name of the seller or Storefront
• The specific concern (e.g., products appear to be mass-produced, seller appears to be located outside Colorado)
• Any supporting evidence, if available

All reports are reviewed confidentially. The reporting party’s identity is not disclosed to the seller being reviewed. StateCrafted will investigate all credible reports and take appropriate action, up to and including badge revocation and account termination.

12. Changes to This Policy

StateCrafted may update this Verification Policy from time to time as the platform grows and verification standards evolve. When material changes are made, sellers will be notified by email at least 14 days before the changes take effect. Changes to documentation requirements will include a transition period of no less than 30 days to allow sellers to prepare for re-verification under updated standards.

13. Contact

For all verification-related questions, appeals, or concerns:

Email	hello@statecrafted.co
Subject Line	“Verification Inquiry”, “Verification Appeal”, or “Verification Concern”
Response Time	Verification reviews: 24–96 hours. Appeals and inquiries: within 10 business days.
Mailing Address	StateCrafted LLC, Denver, Colorado