Catering Business Permit Requirements in Denver, CO

Complete permit and license guide for starting a catering business in Denver, Denver County, Colorado.

Updated 2026-03-13 5 stops $500–$1,200 est. 3–6 weeks to complete permits and secure commissary
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Not legal advice. Requirements may change — always verify with your local government authority before applying. This guide was compiled from public and official sources (last updated ) and has not yet been independently source-verified — confirm each requirement before acting on it.

Federal — start here

1 stop

  1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

    Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC/corporation. Free from the IRS, obtained instantly online.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online application)

State of Colorado

2 stops

  1. Colorado CDPHE Retail Food Establishment License

    Required for catering operations in Colorado. Issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment. In Denver, the local DDPHE license typically satisfies this requirement through a concurrent inspection process.

    Official government source

    $100–$300/year2–4 weeks

  2. Colorado Sales Tax License

    Required for catering businesses that sell taxable food and beverages. Issued by the Colorado Department of Revenue. Caterers must collect and remit Colorado sales tax (2.9%) plus applicable Denver city taxes.

    Official government source

    $16/yearImmediate (online application)

City of Denver / Denver County

2 stops

  1. DDPHE Catering Food Establishment License

    Required for all catering businesses operating in Denver. Issued by the Denver Department of Public Health & Environment. Caterers must operate from an approved commissary or licensed commercial kitchen. An inspection is required before the license is issued.

    Official government source

    $200–$350/year2–4 weeks after application and inspection

  2. Denver Business License

    Required for all businesses operating in Denver. Issued by the Denver Department of Excise & Licenses. Must be obtained in addition to the health department catering license.

    Official government source

    $25–$50/year1–2 weeks

Terminus

Open for business — est. $500–$1,200 · 3–6 weeks to complete permits and secure commissary

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Official Sources

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