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Temporary Retail Food Establishment Inspections
A temporary retail food establishment refers to a retail food establishment, other than a licensed mobile retail food establishment or pushcart, that is not intended to be permanent and that operates at a fixed location for a period of time of not more than 14 consecutive days in conjunction with a single event or celebration.
 
Denver’s outdoor events, including farmers markets, attract over two million visitors, annually. The success of these events is based, in part, on the local food vendors who return each year to participate. The City of Denver’s Department of Environmental Health works closely with food vendors to ensure that the health of the public is protected. Inspections are conducted at special events to ensure the food served is safe for consumers. The requirements for operating as a temporary retail food establishment are listed in Chapter 10 of the City and County of Denver Retail Food Establishment Regulations. All food vendors selling potentially hazardous food and/or non-prepackaged food must obtain a temporary retail food establishment license.
 
Some charitable organizations may be eligible for a no-fee annual license or exempt from licensing requirements. Also, businesses participating in a charitable event where all proceeds are donated to the charity may be eligible for a no-fee license. A no-fee license is only good for the day(s) of the event.
 
For some special events or celebrations, a not-for-profit or charitable organization may not need a license and may prepare, serve, and sell food/beverage. The special event or celebration may not exceed a total of 52 days in a calendar year. The charitable organization must be principally located in the City and County of Denver.
 
Both for-profit and not-for-profit operations must follow the same process to obtain a license to operate at a temporary event.
 
Contact us  at 720-913-1311, 311 (in the Denver Metro area) or phicomments@denvergov.org for more information about operating a Temporary Retail Food Establishments or for assistance in determine if a license is required for your special event.
 
* Links to event resources will return to the page upon revision. Thank you for your patience during revisions to this page.
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Licensing Process
To obtain a temporary retail food license, you must:

1.      Complete an Affidavit of Commissary. The affidavit of commissary must be completed by you in conjunction with the commissary operator. If your commissary kitchen is outside the City and County of Denver, bring a copy of the establishment’s current Retail Food License. Restaurants with liquor licenses may not be approved for use as a commissary unless approved by the Denver Department of Excise and Licenses.

2.      Schedule an appointment for a menu review with the Denver Department of Environmental Health, Public Health Inspection, in advance, by calling 311 or 720-913-1311.

A menu review is a brief meeting between the operator of the temporary retail food establishment and department staff. You will discuss the food you plan to serve, your methods of food preparation, and the equipment requirements for your operation. You will need to bring a complete list of all the types of food you plan to serve and an affidavit for your commissary kitchen. A commissary kitchen is a licensed, inspected commercial kitchen that is used for storage, preparation, and ware-washing. 

Be prepared to answer detailed questions regarding your operation.  It is important that you carefully plan your entire operation (including food sources, food and equipment storage, food preparation, and booth set-up) prior to this meeting.

3.      Complete the Temporary Retail Food Establishment Application with the Denver Department of Environmental Health, Public Health Inspections located on the 2nd floor at 200 W 14th Avenue. The application paperwork may be completed prior to arriving at Environmental Health (although it is not required).

On the menu review application, you must list all the types of food that you will be serving for the entire year under the license. If you decide to add additional menu items after you have already obtained your license, you can schedule a brief appointment with the Department of Environmental Health to get these menu items added to your license. 

4.      Submit the approved paperwork to the Denver Department of Excise & Licenses, located on the 2nd floor at the Wellington Webb Building at 201 W. Colfax Avenue, to obtain a Temporary Restaurant License from Excise & License.

Licensees must comply with all applicable rules and regulations during the event. For more information on these, please see the Temporary Retail Food Establishment Guidelines. 

If you have questions after reviewing the supplied material, please call the Denver Department of Environmental Health, Public Health Inspections at: 311 or 720-913-1311 or by email at phicomments@denvergov.org

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