Renewal restaurant temporary application

Apply online

Step 1.Watch the online training videos 

Online training videos provide helpful and detailed overviews of the application process. They are on the Online Training Videos webpage. They show how to register for an account. How to complete licensed establishment and entity registration records. And how to apply for new business licenses or amendments.

Step 2.Gather all required documents

Make sure you have everything from the "Required documents" section below.

Important notes to keep in mind about your documents:

  • All materials must be digital files saved as a .pdf or .jpg. Do not include any other file types. The Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection cannot accept other file types.
  • Use numbers or letters but not characters such as symbols (/ ? < > \ : * | “ ^) or spaces that could cause complications.
    • For example:
      • Good file name: drivers-license-name-2022.pdf
      • Bad file name: last name/ id.pdf
  • In some cases, you might need to combine documents and upload them in a single .pdf. You can use a free, online tool to merge documents into a single file.
  • Legal documents must be signed, dated and executed. All pages of large legal documents (such as a lease) must be included in the application.
  • All materials must be legible.
  • Incomplete applications will be rejected.

Step 3.Renew in Denver's Online Permitting and Licensing Center

In Denver’s Online Permitting and Licensing Center:

  • Click on the Business Licenses tab.
  • On the "My Records" page, select "Renew Application" for the license you want to renew and follow the prompts. "Renew Application" is on the right side of the page in the "Action" column.

This will begin and guide you through the application.

You can save and resume within 30 days any time during the application process. After 30 days, you must start again.

After the online application is complete, you will be prompted to submit fees in the online portal. These can be paid with a bank account or a Visa, Mastercard, or Discover card.

Step 4.City application review and next steps

The Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection tries to conduct an initial review of a complete application within seven business days. The review process might take longer if it is incomplete or requires police review (if applicable).

  • All application-related communications will be sent through email, from DLCPNotifications@denvergov.org. Do not respond to these emails as this inbox is not monitored.
  • If the application is incomplete, the applicant will receive a "notice of deficiency" email. This allows 14 days for corrections. License endorsement requests and incidents on a background check need police review.
  • All applications will be closed if they are not completed within 12 months.

Step 5.Pay required fees

An invoice will be emailed to you after the application has been approved. You may log in to your account online and pay the fees due.

License fee:
$100 plus $10 per day for the first five days of each event

Pursuant to city ordinance, if a restaurant is going to participate in a fund raising event for a nonprofit and all of the proceeds are being donated to the nonprofit, the fee for the license will be waived.  The applicant must submit a document with the Affidavit of Commissary that verifies the name of the nonprofit organization and verifies that all proceeds are being donated to the nonprofit.

Step 6.License issuance

Once approved, the applicant is emailed a copy of the business license. This allows the license holder to start operating.

The licensee should read "Once you have your license" below and follow the requirements.

  • A letter addressed to the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection that contains the following:
    • request of fee waiver
    • name of non-profit
    • explanation of vision/how does the community benefit from this non-profit
    • must be on letter head
    • dated
    • signature
  • The second required document is the 501(C)3 letter from the IRS listing the non-profit's name

License must be displayed

The Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection will email a professional license to all licensees. This license (or a clear picture of it) must always be displayed.

Requirement to keep contact information up to date

File an online amendment application to notify the Department of any contact information changes (place of business, onsite manager, etc.). These updates must be filed within 72 hours of the change.

Requirement to renew annually

Professional licenses expire annually. It is unlawful to operate with an expired license. Renewal applications must be filed online before a license expires.