Restaurant licenses
in Denver, Colorado
Start with the main licenses and permits below. For a checklist based on your own business, tell us what you’re opening and how it will operate.
Researched Sep 2026
About this example
The restaurant in Denver, Colorado, will serve food to customers at a commercial location and employ W-2 staff. Federal, state, and local requirements depend on its operations and chosen legal structure.
Requirement labels below refer to this setup. Conditional items depend on additional details.
Authorities researched
Details to confirm before you apply
- What is the specific entity type (LLC vs. corporation) chosen for the business?
- What are the specific food-processing activities that will be performed, and how will they affect the retail food license fee?
- What is the employee earnings threshold for the Occupational Privilege Tax?
- Does the leased space already have a valid Certificate of Occupancy for restaurant use?
- What specific operational permits will be required from the Fire Department for the cooking equipment?
- What is the process for filing the business personal property declaration with the Denver Assessor?
- Confirm the legal structure before using entity-formation instructions or including entity-specific fees in the startup budget.
- Confirm with the responsible agencies whether additional requirements apply in these areas: State unemployment insurance employer account; Workers' compensation coverage; New-hire reporting; Food-handler training rules; Food-manager certification and presence rules; City business license or tax registration; Business personal-property filing or exemption. These areas remain unresolved in this guide.
The main licenses and permits
6 of 12- 01Retail food establishment license (brick-and-mortar restaurant)City and County of Denver, Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP); inspections by Denver Public Health and Environment · County
The business stores, prepares, and serves food for human consumption to consumers at a physical location — the definition of a retail food establishment (restaurant).
RequiredAnnual (licenses expire annually; renewal is filed online before expiration) - 02Zoning use permit (commercial)City and County of Denver, Community Planning and Development (CPD) · County
All businesses in Denver are required to have a zoning use permit showing the zoning code allows the business's specific activities (eating/drinking establishment) at that location, and the retail food license requires one.
RequiredOne-time per use, unless the use changes; new permit needed for changes of use, additions, patios, or exterior modifications - 03Business entity registration (Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection)City and County of Denver, Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) · County
Denver licenses businesses by type; the registration captures the legal entity and owners that will hold any Denver business license, and the retail food license package includes this application.
RequiredUpdate the contact information application within 72 hours of any change; no annual renewal stated - 04Colorado Sales Tax License (Standard Retail License)Colorado Department of Revenue · Colorado
The restaurant makes retail sales of tangible goods (food and beverages) in Colorado, so it must register to collect and remit state and local sales tax.
RequiredLicenses are valid for a two-year period; renewal fee is $16.00 per physical location (all prior licenses expired December 31, 2025; the current two-year period began January 1, 2026). Each physical location needs its own license. - 05Colorado wage withholding tax accountColorado Department of Revenue · Colorado
As an employer with W-2 employees in Colorado, the restaurant must withhold Colorado income tax from wages and register as a 'withholding tax agent.'
RequiredNone (no renewal requirement for a withholding tax account) - 06Denver Retailer's Sales/Use Tax licenseCity and County of Denver, Department of Finance, Treasury Division · County
A restaurant located in Denver makes retail sales of tangible personal property (prepared food and drink) in the city, which requires a Denver sales tax license.
RequiredBiennial; Treasury issues a two-year license at the end of every odd year, renewals sent in November of the odd year
This example includes 6 other potential requirements. A report based on your business explains which apply, how to file, published fees and timing, and what to complete first.
Make the checklist yours
Your location, activities, and business structure can change the list. Get a free preview for your business, then decide whether to unlock the full report for $49.
Questions people ask
What city business licenses or registrations should a restaurant in Denver check?
This guide does not establish whether Denver requires a stand-alone general business license or registration. Confirm that question with the city, in addition to reviewing the industry permits and registrations below.
How much do licenses and permits cost for a restaurant in Denver?
Most fees vary by item; see report. Several items have fees that depend on your entity type, square footage, or payroll, so the full report lists each fee as the agency publishes it.
What should I do first?
Review Employer Identification Number (EIN) (Internal Revenue Service (IRS)), then Federal employment tax withholding, deposit and reporting (FICA, FITW, FUTA, Forms 941/940/W-2) (Internal Revenue Service (IRS)), then Business entity registration (LLC Articles of Organization or equivalent) (if applicable) (Colorado Secretary of State). Confirm each item's applicability and prerequisites before applying; the report provides a suggested order for the full checklist.
Is this legal advice?
No. It is a research summary of public requirements published by government agencies, each linked to its official page. Confirm with the issuing agency before filing.
Related guides
Researched from official government sources on September 2, 2026 for a typical restaurant. Requirements change and depend on your facts; this page is not legal advice. Confirm with the issuing agency before filing.