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Office of Economic Development and International Trade

Business Licensing Database
FOOD VENDOR

CANDY MAN CANTEEN CATERER CHILI ROASTING
COFFEE KIOSK FARMERS MARKET FOOD FOOD SERVICE
FOOD VENDOR MEALS ON WHEELS MOBILE FOOD SERVICE NUT MAN
PUSH CART SHAVED ICE CART STREET VENDOR VENDING
VENDING CART

State

Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment
Consumer Protection Division
Retail Food Service
4300 Cherry Creek Drive South
Denver , CO   80246-1530
(303)692-3620
Fax: (303)753-6809
A Retail Food Establishment license is required. These are normally issued by local county health department where vendor is based. Vendors must provide a Colorado sales tax account number in order to obtain a RFE license.
Commercial kitchen required for preparation of food. Used for licensing address and mobile unit must report at least daily to that location for all supplies and for all cleaning and servicing operations. Contact health department BEFORE constructing or remodeling facility.
Equipment used to transport and store food must meet minimum standards
There are limits on types of foods that can be sold. "Potentially hazardous food" is defined as: a) if it is of animal origin such as meat, milk, fish, shellfish, edible crustacea, or poultry; or b) if it is of plant origin and has been heat treated; or c) if it is raw seed sprouts. See "Colorado Retail Food Establishment Rules and Regulations."

Link:  http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/op/regs/consumer/101019.pdf
Vendors must comply with local requirements in every city or unincorporated county area were sales are made including but not limited to: Special mobile food unit or peddlers licenses, Traffic and location regulations,
COFFEE KIOSKS: Establishments preparing and serving only hot coffee, hot tea, instant hot beverages, and non-potentially hazardous doughnuts or pastries obtained from sources complying with all laws related to food and food labeling are exempt. However, coffee kiosks that sell iced beverages or potentially hazardous foods must obtain a Retail Food License. It is advisable to contact the local building department or water/sanitation district to see if these structures are prohibited under any of their jurisdictional requirements.

Link:  http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/cp/RetailFood/interpretive/RetFood%2
0EstInterp02-1.htm
Vendors who sell only uncut fruit and vegetables are exempt from retail food establishment licensure, even if offering samples. Vendors who sell wrapped, non-potentially hazardous foods are also exempt. Food must be protected from contamination at all times, and vendors who prepare samples on site must follow the minimum sanitation guidelines “Preparing and Offering Food Samples to Consumers”. These guidelines state that the person preparing the samples must have an available handwashing facility and must prepare the samples in a sanitary manner. Vendors who offer samples prepared at their commissary do not need a handwashing facility.

Additional requirements apply if preparing potentially hazardous foods.

Link:  http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/cp/RetailFood/interpretive/interp02-
02.htm
CHILI ROASTING: Chili roasting establishments must have a Colorado Retail Food Establishment License ($44) and must comply with the following minimum requirements: The chilies must be washed with potable water prior to roasting, the roaster must be maintained and kept in a clean condition and good hygienic practices must be used when handling the chilies at all times.

Link:  http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/cp/RetailFood/interpretive/RetFoodEs
tInterp00-01.htm

State

Colorado Department of Revenue
1375 Sherman St
Denver , CO   80261
(303)238-7378
All product sales are subject to sales tax. Contact the Department of Revenue regarding sales tax licensing regardless of whether a business sells retail, wholesale, on consignment or at events. See FYI Sales #4, Guidelines for Determining Sales Tax Rates for Taxable Food Items.

Link:  http://www.revenue.state.co.us/fyi/html/sales04.html
See also FYI Sales #24, Special Regulation: Eating and Drinking Establishments

Link:  http://www.revenue.state.co.us/fyi/html/sales24.html

Local
Local Licensing Authorities
If using propane or flammable liquids (e.g., Chili Roasting), check with local fire department.
Licensing and inspection normally handled by LOCAL COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT. Also, check zoning, local business licenses, and city sales tax.

Link:  http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/as/locallist.asp
NOTE:  Food vendors can frequently meet commercial kitchen requirement by renting space from a local restaurant, community center or religious building, which meets commercial standards.
NOTE:  If caterer prepares food in client's kitchen, or if selling only non-perishable packaged foods, a license is normally NOT required. Contact health department for details.
NOTE:  If selling frozen meat products, see FROZEN FOOD VENDOR
NOTE:  If applicable, see LIQUOR

page last updated 9/11/03

The Colorado Revised Statutes are available on line at http://198.187.128.12/colorado/lpext.dll?f=templates&fn=fs-main.htm&2.0. You can locate a statute of interest by searching either on the citation given in the database (e.g., 18-5-307) or on a keyword or phrase.

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