Most City and County of Denver offices will be closed Monday, Feb. 16 in observance of Presidents Day. Solid waste collection will be on a regular schedule; customers should set carts out on their regular collection day.
In 2025, the state legislature passed a bill to allow for reciprocal licensing for food trucks beginning January 1, 2026. The following is guidance on how Denver is implementing reciprocal licensing and fire permitting to streamline these processes for food trucks.
All food trucks operating in Denver will still be required to have a Denver mobile food license to operate in Denver. As of January 1, 2026, your valid Denver mobile food license will also be valid in every other Colorado jurisdiction. You can learn more about how to notify these jurisdictions 14 days prior to operation on Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment's website.
While operating in Denver, your food truck must comply with all applicable Denver laws and regulations.
Food trucks with a state health department mobile food license issued must submit a copy of their state health department mobile food license to Denver at least 14 days in advance of beginning to operate in Denver by completing the Denver mobile food license application. As a part of the application process, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) retail food license can be submitted instead of the mobile plan review packet.
If you have had a fire inspection from a Fire Marshals Association of Colorado (FMAC) participating agency, you may submit your current annual FMAC Certificate of Inspection to the Denver Fire Department instead of obtaining a Denver Fire inspection. However, you are still required to obtain an annual propane permit from the Denver Fire Department if you use propane. Applicants may submit their current annual FMAC Certificate of Inspection to Denver Fire at the time they receive their inspection card to satisfy the requirement for a Denver Fire Department Inspection. For questions about fire permitting, email DFDMobiles@denvergov.org.
I have a state health department mobile food license. Do I still need a Denver license to operate in Denver? Yes. Denver's license is a business license that includes review of food safety, fire safety, and other local requirements.
How do I submit my state health department mobile food license to Denver to operate in Denver? You must submit your state health department mobile food license to Denver at least 14 days in advance of beginning to operate in Denver by completing the Denver mobile food license application. You can submit your state health department license instead of Denver's mobile plan review packet.
I got a fire inspection in another county. Do I still need a Denver fire safety inspection? If you had a fire inspection from a Fire Marshals Association of Colorado (FMAC) participating agency, you may submit your current annual FMAC Certificate of Inspection to the Denver Fire Department in lieu of a Denver fire inspection. You will submit this to the Denver Fire Department when you receive your inspection card. For questions about fire permitting, email DFDMobiles@denvergov.org.
Is my Denver mobile food license valid in other counties? As of January 1, 2026, your Denver mobile food license is valid in all other Colorado counties. You must provide a copy of your current Denver Retail Food License to the counties in which you intend to operate at least 14 days prior to operating outside of Denver.
If I have a valid state health department license that expired on 12/31/25, can I submit that license instead of the mobile plan review packet with my Denver license application? No, state law requires the state license to be valid. However, if your state license is expired, you can apply for a Denver retail mobile food license and it will be valid statewide.