Skip to main content

The Denver City Council has passed a bill to streamline retail and wholesale food licensing fees. Changes will go into effect on June 8, 2023.

The changes include:

  • Setting a flat application fee of $150 for all wholesale and retail food licenses;
  • Reducing the number of annual wholesale licensing fee categories from 12 to one; and
  • Reducing the number of annual retail licensing fee categories from 19 to one.

The changes are intended to positively impact food-related licenses, reducing annual fees for most food licensees in the City and County of Denver. As a result, 81% of retail food businesses are guaranteed to see either no change or a reduction in their annual fees and 85% of wholesale food businesses are guaranteed to see a reduction in their annual fees.

Also, the Department of Excise and Licenses will move all food licensing applications and renewals online. In-person assistance will remain available for those who need it.

Sign up for the food licenses informational bulletin to receive news and updates about the program as they become available.

If you have questions or comments, please email licenses@denvergov.org.

Don’t miss Denver’s kickoff to summer party season, DRINK RED WEAR RED - and don’t miss out on deals and insider info on Denver Food + Wine Festival, too!

Subscribe to the Colorado Restaurant Foundation (CRF) Party List to get the inside scoop on all CRF events, including access to discounted tickets, event details, and more!

By filling out this form, you agree to receive marketing emails and texts from the Colorado Restaurant Association & Foundation. You’ll get insider info about our events, special offers, and a whole lot more! You can unsubscribe at any time, we promise.