Denver Issues Temporary Rules for Mobile Food Vendors in Lodo

Published on August 25, 2022

DENVER – The City and County of Denver has issued temporary rules governing mobile food vendor activities in Lower Downtown Denver (Lodo). The emergency rules in effect starting this weekend and for the next 180 days seek to manage mobile food vendor activities on Friday and Saturday nights to support local operators while ensuring public safety and fair and equitable use of the public right of way by lessening crowding immediately outside of area businesses.

“We believe the temporary rules strike the right balance in our efforts to keep people safe and allow mobile food vendors to operate,” said Armando Saldate, Executive Director of Denver’s Department of Public Safety. “The rules are intended to prevent large gatherings of individuals on the sidewalks and in the streets when the bars let out on Friday and Saturday nights to reduce the potential for conflict and facilitate the movement of people headed home.”

The temporary rules establish an area of Lodo (called the Restricted Area, bounded in blue on the attached map) where food trucks, peddlers and pushcarts can operate on the weekends with restricted hours of operation. No food trucks are allowed in the Central Business District per city ordinance.

Food trucks in the Restricted Area

• Food trucks with permits will be allowed to operate in the restricted area between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and holidays listed in the emergency rules.
• Up to seven spots will be available for food trucks with expanded operating hours from 5 a.m. to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays in the following locations:
• • 1900 block of Blake Street (up to 4 food trucks will be permitted)
  • 2000 block of Market Street (up to 3 food trucks will be permitted).
• No changes are being made to Sundays or weekday permit requests.

Food Peddlers and Pushcarts in the Restricted Area

Licensed food peddlers and pushcart operators can operate from 5:00 a.m. to midnight on Fridays, Saturdays and holidays specified in the emergency rules.  No changes to Sunday or weekday operations.

While the temporary rules are in effect for the next 180 days, work will begin to create and update permanent rules and regulations governing mobile food vendors, working with the local mobile food vendor community.