If you apply in person, you may be able to complete the process while you wait if there are no problems with your paperwork or your background check. 

If you apply by mail, you will still need to come in to the office to finalize the process -- photograph for the license badge and pick up the license badge (made while you wait).  

There are three kinds of peddler licenses:  Peddler (food and non-food), Underage Sponsor Peddler, and Juvenile Peddler (affiliated with a Sponsor Peddler).    

See link below for information on the requirement to carry all goods/food on your person and to keep moving. 

Disabled peddlers:  See link below for information on exemption from having to carry all goods/food on your person. 

FORMS

To apply for a Peddler (Food, non-Food, Sponsor or Juvenile) License, you will need to fill out a Peddler Application and a Criminal History Form, and provide two (2) character references on forms provided by the Department. 

For the complete packet of forms, click here.  Remember to provide all the requested forms. 

With regard to the character references, the applicant must have been known by the persons supplying the character references for a minimum of one year.

For Food Peddlers only, you will also need an Affidavit of Commissary.  Click here to download the Affidavit of Commissary.   The Affidavit must be completed and approved by Environmental Health before you apply to Excise and Licenses for renewal. The commissary that you use cannot be an establishment that serves alcohol. 

Caterers, mobile food trucks, push carts and food peddlers:  For questions about inspections and proper labeling of food, contact Dick Hann at 720-865-5382 or by email at dick.hann@denvergov.org.

LICENSE BADGE

All peddlers must wear a license badge provided by the Department of Excise and Licenses.  You must come in to the Department’s offices to be photographed for the license and pick up the badge (done while you wait). 

FEES

Fees for the Food and Non-food and Juvenile Peddler licenses are as follows:

   Application Fee:                 $25.00
   Annual License Fee:          $50.00

You will also need to pay for a CBI (Colorado Bureau of Investigation) Name Check, which will be done while you wait:   $6.85                                        

To save time, you can order your CBI Name Check yourself by going to the CBI web site, click here.  Make sure that you bring it with you when you apply in person or mail it in when you apply by mail.  (To return to this site, use your "Back" button.)

Fees for the Underage Sponsor Peddler licenses are as follows:

   Application Fee:                 $    5.00
   Annual License Fee:         $500.00

For an Underage Sponsor License, instead of a CBI Name Check, a complete background investigation will be done, which will cost $16.50.  

PUSHCART VENDORS

See link below for information on pushcart vendors.  No license is required for site-specific vending of non-food items, but a right-of-way permit is req uired.  Requests for pushcart vendor permits during the Democratic National Convention MUST go through the Denver Convention 2008 web site:  DNC 2008

DENVER REVISED MUNICIPAL CODE REQUIREMENTS

Licenses Must Be Visibly Displayed.  The Denver Department of Excise and Licenses will provide licensed peddlers with a license and a photo-ID card.  The photo-ID card must be worn on the outside of their clothing so as to be visible to the public at all times while peddling.  The license shall also be carried by all peddlers for inspection and review.  Ref. DRMC Sec. 47-32 

Peddler Must Carry All Goods and Products.  All goods and/or products must be carried on individual peddler's person and may not be carried, displayed, or stored in or on any carts, dollies, tables, wagons or similar devices.  Ref. DRMC Sec. 47-16 

Roaming Itinerant Sales Required.  Peddlers must keep moving and may not set up, display, or exhibit their goods and products for sale at any one particular location.  Peddlers may stop to make or complete a sale.

No Interference with Pedestrians Use of Public Right-of-Ways.  The use of the devices such as carts, dollies, tables, wagons or anything similar is prohibited.  Any use of such devices, or a peddler's continued standing still in the street, sidewalk, or other public right-of-way, may result in the issuance of a citation for the illegal occupation of, obstruction of, or interference with the public's use of public streets, sidewalks, or other public right-of-ways. 

For example, peddlers standing still on the Northwest corner of 19th Avenue and Blake Streets, who are blocking or otherwise interfering with the free and uninterrupted direct path of pedestrians entering or exiting the main entrance to Coors Field (where the public right-of-way is extremely narrow and limited), may be cited.  However, licensed peddlers who are walking and moving with the flow of pedestrians would not be considered interfering.  Ref. DRMC Sec. 47-16 

Note:  Pushcart vendors of non-food items are allowed to operate in Denver only if they receive a public right-of-way permit for a specific location from the Public Works Department.  Such pushcart vendors must set up and remain in the specific location as identified on the face of the permit.  Said permit must be kept with the pushcart at all times.  No license is required from Excise and Licenses for site-specific pushcart vendors of non-food items.

Underage Sponsors License.  Any adult peddler employing individuals under the age of 18 years must obtain a sponsor's license ($5.00 application fee, $500.00 license fee.)  A complete background check will be done ($16.50 fee)  Ref. DRMC Sec. 47-19

Juvenile Peddlers.  No person under the age of 18 shall be permitted to engage in peddling unless they are:

         a.  Sponsored by a licensed sponsor pursuant to the ordinances of the City and County of Denver; and

         b.  Wearing identification which clearly states the names of both the sponsor and the individual;  and

         c.  Item for sale are limited to

                  1.  prepackaged candy and snacks

                  2.  household items

                  3.  novelty items

                  4.  hand-crafted items in association with peddler's sponsorship

         a.  The petitioner's qualification under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. 12101, et. seq., by a written letter from a licensed physician; and

         b.  The petitioner's need for the specific accommodation requested; and

         c.  A permit for the temporary occupation of the public right-of-way, pursuant to Article 14 of Chapter 49 of the DRMC is not sufficient to address the needs of the petitioner.

Upon such verification that the petitioner has established all three prerequisites, the Director may allow the petitioner to use one, and only one cart, dolly, wagon, or other device, to carry only that quantity of goods and/or products as the peddler would reasonably be capable of carrying, but for their disability.  All such petitions must include a photograph of the proposed cart, dolly, wagon, or device, and a written description of its size and dimensions,  and a written explanation of the intended manner, method, and specific location(s) of its use.

The Director may consider the potential negative impact of the request upon the health, safety, and welfare of the public if such proposed cart, dolly, or device, or the manner or method of its use, would to impede, block, or other interfere with the public's use of the right-of-way in the locations requested by the petitioner.  The Director may seek the advice and consent of the Department of Public Works in making any decision in granting or denying the petition as a whole, or partially granting the petition, with specific written limitations as to the manner, method or location of the requested device's use.