DEADLINE: 30 days prior to event
CONTACT: DDPHE at phicomments@denvergov.org and EXL at licenses@denvergov.org
Food vendors are an important part of many events. To ensure the health and safety of attendees, all food vendors are required to be properly licensed and it is the event organizer’s responsibility to ensure this. Your event may be fined if vendors are not licensed or if there are several vendors not following public health regulations.
Follow the links below to find instructions on necessary steps to obtain the license for the corresponding food business.
Restaurant Temporary – a vendor selling food from a table/tent set-up (excludes those operating under the cottage food act). Note: If a facility already has a valid restaurant temporary license, then only the event needs to be added to their license.
Retail Food Mobile License – a vendor selling from a mobile unit (Cart or truck). Note: This license can take multiple weeks to obtain so please allow yourself enough time. Inspections for this license are only on Fridays.
A brick and mortar restaurant must obtain a restaurant temporary license to operate at an event; a brick and mortar license is not reciprocal. To find out if a business has a valid, proper license, please utilize the Active Business Licenses spreadsheet.
NOTE on CBD: If consumable CBD is distributed or sold, a Cease and Desist may be issued to vendors who cannot prove their CBD is from an approved source or are not following regulations related to proper food storage and handling. Review the Guide for CBD Product Sales at Special Events(PDF, 277KB) for more information.
Review additional information and resources on DDPHE’s website.