Food Truck Permit Requirements in Denver, CO
Complete permit and license guide for starting a food truck in Denver, Denver County, Colorado.
Not legal advice. Requirements may change — always verify with your local government authority before applying. Last verified: .
Denver / Denver County Requirements
4 requirementsDenver Mobile Food Vendor License
Required for all mobile food vendors operating in Denver. Issued by the Denver Department of Public Health & Environment (DDPHE). License category (A, B, or C) depends on the complexity of food preparation — Category A covers full cooking operations. Includes a facility inspection before license issuance.
Denver Business License
Required for all businesses operating in Denver. Issued by the Denver Department of Excise & Licenses. Food trucks must obtain a business license in addition to the mobile food vendor permit.
Commissary Agreement
Denver requires mobile food vendors to operate from an approved commissary kitchen for food preparation, storage, and equipment cleaning. A signed commissary agreement must be submitted with your license application.
Designated Vending Location Permit
If you operate from a fixed Denver street location, you need a right-of-way permit from Denver Public Works. Private property vending requires landlord permission only.
Colorado State Requirements
2 requirementsColorado Retail Food Establishment License
Required for all food establishments in Colorado, including mobile units. Issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE). For Denver-based trucks, the local DDPHE license typically satisfies this requirement under a concurrent inspection agreement.
Colorado Sales Tax License
Required for all businesses selling taxable goods and services in Colorado. Issued by the Colorado Department of Revenue. Food trucks must collect and remit state (2.9%) and applicable local sales taxes.
Federal Requirements
1 requirementEIN (Employer Identification Number)
Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC/corporation. Free from the IRS, obtained instantly online.
Official Sources
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