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What a food truck permit costs in Colorado

The figures below come from Colorado's agency pages, each with the date it was read. Government fees only: commissary rent, insurance and the truck are private costs, and the profit calculator is where those go.

The main license

$481 a year for a full-service mobile unit or $338 for a limited/prepackaged unit (2026 schedule, in force since September 1, 2025)

Retail food establishment license, mobile unit (C.R.S. 25-4-1607 as amended by SB 25-285)

Statutory statewide fees, so every local agency charges the same; they rise to $587/$394 in 2027 and $682/$475 in 2028. CDPHE plan review is a $155 application plus up to $580 on approval; Denver sets its own fees ($150 application + $25 per food-processing activity) and requires a $250 Denver Fire propane permit. A Colorado mobile license is honored statewide under SB 25-285.

Issued by Local public health agency (Denver DDPHE, Jefferson, Tri-County and the rest), or CDPHE in nine rural counties; the fee is set by statute Read on the agency page Nov 5, 2026

Every step, with the fee where it is published

In filing order. A step without a published fee links the agency to ask.

  1. 1

    Form your entity and get your EINFederal

    the IRS

    Fee not published here; ask the agency
  2. 2

    Register for Colorado sales taxState

    Colorado Department of Revenue

    Private cost or no fee
  3. 3

    Certify a food protection managerState

    an accredited food manager certification provider

    Private cost or no fee
  4. 4

    Sign your commissary agreementState

    Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE)

    Fee not published here; ask the agency
  5. 5

    Apply for the Retail Food Establishment License (Mobile)State

    Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE)

    Fee not published here; ask the agency
  6. 6

    Clear the county and city layersCity

    your city and county

    Private cost or no fee
  7. 7

    Get general liability insurance and a certificate of insurance (COI)Private

    your insurer

    Private cost or no fee

Renewal timeline

  • Retail Food Establishment License

    Every year · start paperwork 30 days before · Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE)

  • City Mobile Vendor License

    Every year · start paperwork 30 days before · Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE)

  • Fire Suppression Inspection

    Every year · start paperwork 30 days before · Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE)

  • General liability insurance (COI)

    Every year · start paperwork 21 days before · Your insurer

Download the renewal calendar (.ics) Open the printable checklist

What changed in Colorado

  1. SB 25-285 made a mobile food establishment license issued by any Colorado local public health agency valid statewide, and set the 2026 license at $481 (full service) or $338 (limited), rising in 2027 and 2028. Source

Read the full picture

Colorado food truck permit guideAgencies, fees, inspections, city rules and the pitfalls, with sources.Denver permitsCity layer on top of the state: zoning, fire, local business tax.

Compare every state on the permit hub or take the CSV.

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