Mobile Food Vendors

Fire Department Permit

1. The following require Fire Department involvement: Enclosed food trucks, Enclosed food trailers, Enclosed mobile kitchens, any Operations with fire suppression or grease-producing cooking systems inside an enclosed space.
2. The following are not regulated by the Fire Department and do not require permits or exemption letters: Catering-style setups, Mobile cook stations, Flat-top grills, Open-air cooking operations, Hot dog carts and similar open cooking setups
3. We will accept any county fire department inspection certificate

Registered trade name with the Secretary of State’s Office

State Sales Tax License - Mobile food vendors will need a Colorado Sales Tax License. The state’s Department of Revenue has a useful FYI guide to understand taxing food.

County Health Department Inspection Certificate – We will accept any mobile retail food establishment license from any Colorado Health Department

 A written letter of consent from the property owner allowing you to park at the location you have chosen. Please include the hours of operations and days of operation at that location. 

1. This can also include event organizer information letters

Diagram of the property showing where your food truck will be parked. Please include all roadways, sidewalks, trashcans, and any tables/tent/Canopy structures you plan to use. This can also be a site plan for any special events

Commissary Kitchen schedule and kitchen information

Auto Insurance – Up to date Vehicle insurance

Auto Registration – The vehicle must be registered in Colorado

Driver's License of all drivers and owners

County Health Department Inspection Certificate/ Special Event Vendor Certificate, Cottage Foods Certificate

Fire Department Permit

1. The following require Fire Department involvement: Enclosed food trucks, Enclosed food trailers, Enclosed mobile kitchens, any Operations with fire suppression or grease-producing cooking systems inside an enclosed space
   
   
2. The following are not regulated by the Fire Department and do not require permits or exemption letters: Catering-style setups, Mobile cook stations, Flat-top grills, Open-air cooking operations, Hot dog carts and similar open cooking setups

Driver’s License of all owners

Diagram of the property showing where your food truck will be parked. Please include all roadways, sidewalks, and any tables/tent structures you plan to use.

A written letter of consent from the property owner or event coordinator allowing you to park at the location, or the invite from the event you will be participating in.

1. Please apply 14 days prior to your event

1. Must be 100 feet away from residential neighborhoods at all hours. 300 feet away from residential during 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. 

2. 175 feet away from other food vendors and businesses offering prepared foods (gas stations)

3. 300 feet away from all schools

4. All measurements are taken from each property line or right-of-way

1. No blocking: sidewalks, streets, rights of way, parking lots, parks.

2. Not allowed in vehicle travel lanes except while moving.

3. Keep 30 feet from crosswalk boundaries.

4. Keep 10 feet from building entrances/driveways.

5. Cannot impede pedestrian or vehicle movement.

6. Overnight/Fixed Location - Cannot anchor or permanently attach to property. May not remain overnight without property owner permission (max three nights without written permission).

Apply online using our eTrakit Portal for an Outdoor Vendor’s License

1. Create an account first

2. When you first login, select ‘Apply for New Licenses’ on the left side under Business & Other Licenses

3. Select ‘Outdoor Vendor’ under Type of license from the drop-down list, then select your subtype license (Food Truck/Mobile Food Vendor)

4. Licensee Name will be the name of your business

5. Upload all necessary documents in the last attachments portion of the application for review

6. Pay the $52 license fee

7. After payment, the application is submitted to City staff for review. All documents must be submitted for processing and to begin review. Applications typically take 2 weeks to review if all documents are submitted correctly. Incomplete applications can add more review time before being issued. If approved, the license will be emailed to your contact email listed on the application. 

Once the application has passed City staff review, your license will be emailed over in PDF form

Please print local license and have it displayed during operating hours

This license is valid for one year from issuance.

Safety Concerns to note while operating:

1. Please make sure to secure all tents and canopies properly to avoid any harm to the public, or property. 
2. Maintain clean conditions in a 25 foot radius and waste receptables. Please remove trash daily.
3. Do not operate in a location that impedes or obstructs the safe movement of vehicle or pedestrian traffic. 

If you plan to renew your food vendor license:

1. The deadline to renew your license is 30 days prior to the expiration date.
2. You will need to pay the $52 license fee on the portal
3. Submit new required document forms, such as updated County Health Department inspection/Special Event Vendor Certificate and any Fire Department Permits.