Any food service establishment that is not intended to be permanent but operates at a fixed location for not more than fourteen days in conjunction with a single event or celebration is defined as a temporary restaurant.

All temporary restaurants must operate out of an approved and inspected commissary. An affidavit of commissary must be completed and presented to the department prior to license approval.

To obtain a license you must complete the following:

1. Attend a Temporary Retail Food Establishment License Class, formerly referred to as a Vendors Meeting.

2. Menu Review: Make an appointment with the Department of Environmental Health by calling 311. Menu reviews are scheduled on Thursdays between 8 a.m. – Noon and 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. beginning January 27. If you plan ahead, you can attend the class and complete the menu review on the same day. The menu review and licensing must be completed before your first event, or you will not be permitted to operate.

3. Fire Department Permits are required for use of any temporary power sources (propane, charcoal, generators, etc.) or any large tents/canopies.

Fire Permit Applications are distributed at the classes listed above.

Fire Permits may be obtained on a “per event” basis, or you may obtain a yearly permit.

The Event Organizer is responsible for obtaining all Fire Department permits on behalf of all the vendors at an event. Submit your application and payment to the event organizer. If you are obtaining a yearly permit, the form and payment are submitted to your first event organizer and then a photocopy of the annual permit is submitted to subsequent event organizers.

4. After the menu review, you must go to the Department of Excise & Licenses (in the same building as your menu review – 2nd Floor). Pay your $100.00 annual license fee at that time. The license is valid for one year.An additional $10 per day per event (maximum of 5 days per event) fee will be collected by the event organizer and remitted to the City and County of Denver. Please note: If you are renewing your license, bring a copy of your prior license to the menu review and to Excise and Licenses.

Commissary Kitchen: Applicants without their own licensed kitchen must have access to a licensed commissary kitchen for food preparation,storage and ware washing. If you do not operate your own licensed kitchen, the commissary kitchen you use cannot have a liquor license – this is a violation of the Colorado State Liquor Code. Please complete the affidavit of commissary prior to the menu review. If you are a vendor from outside of Denver County, bring a copy of your commissary’s last inspection report.

Reminder: Event Organizers are required to submit a complete list of licensed food and beverage vendors to the Department of Environmental Health no later than 10 days before the event. Make sure you have completed all the necessary agreements with the event before that date. You will need to send a copy of your license to your Event Organizer.

If you have any questions, please contact: Environmental Health Public Health Inspection Division @ 311, Sandra Johnson Excise & Licenses 720-865-2732, Stu Bader Parks and Recreation 720-913-0742, Bob Mako Denver Fire Department 720-913-3414