Home Bakery Permit Requirements in Denver, CO

Complete permit and license guide for starting a home bakery in Denver, Denver County, Colorado.

Updated 2026-03-13 5 stops $50–$300 est. Immediate for cottage food sales under $5,000; 1–3 weeks for registration if over threshold
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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

3 stops

  1. Colorado Cottage Foods Act Exemption (up to $5,000/yr)

    Colorado's Cottage Foods Act (HB 12-1027) allows home bakers to sell non-hazardous baked goods directly to consumers with no permit required, up to $5,000 in gross annual sales. Covered products include breads, cookies, cakes, pastries, and jams. All products must be labeled with producer name, address, ingredients, net weight, and a disclaimer stating the product was made in a home kitchen.

    Official government source

    FreeNo waiting period

  2. CO Dept of Agriculture Registration (over $5,000/yr)

    If your annual cottage food sales exceed $5,000, you must register with the Colorado Department of Agriculture and comply with additional labeling and production requirements. You may also need to use a licensed commercial kitchen for higher-volume operations.

    Official government source

    $35–$100/year1–3 weeks

  3. Colorado Sales Tax License

    Sales tax may apply to retail food sales depending on the type of food and where it's sold. Register with the Colorado Department of Revenue to determine your tax obligations.

    Official government source

    $16/yearImmediate (online application)

City of Denver / Denver County

1 stop

  1. Denver Business License (if applicable)

    Cottage food businesses selling directly to consumers from home are generally exempt from Denver's business license requirement under the state cottage food exemption, but may still register for tax purposes. Check with Denver Excise & Licenses for your specific situation.

    Official government source

    $25–$50/year (if required)1–2 weeks

Terminus

Open for business — est. $50–$300 · Immediate for cottage food sales under $5,000; 1–3 weeks for registration if over threshold

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Official Sources

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