Frequently asked questions

Detailed password reset instructions

There are more than 100 business and liquor licenses issued by the Denver Department of Excise and Licenses.

Some of the license types include retail and wholesale food operations, emergency and nonemergency vehicles, body artists and facilities, boarding homes and child care centers, security guards, pedal cabs and peddlers, central alarm operators and apprentice, and marijuana licenses (in conjunction with the state of Colorado).

List of business licenses.

Frequently asked questions for the most common types of licenses issued.

Medical and retail marijuana

Private security employers

Residential rental property

Security guards

Short-term rentals

A zoning use permit is a document granting the applicant/owner of a lot, building, or structure permission for the requested use of the land. The commercial zoning group within Community Planning and Development issues use and construction permits for existing multi-family and commercial buildings in the City. Find application materials and what must be submitted at the commercial zoning website.

If the business license you are applying for requires a zoning use permit, check with commercial zoning to get approval of the use of the land before submitting an application to the Department of Excise and Licenses.

If you are an existing business and need a copy of any applicable zoning use permits, email zoning.review@denvergov.org with the address.

Phone

All city services: (720) 913-1311

Commercial zoning: (720) 865-3000

Email: zoning.review@denvergov.org

Liquor and cabaret licenses

• Application and license fees for the City and County of Denver should be made payable to the Manager of Finance.
• Application and license fees for the state of Colorado should be made payable to the Department of Revenue.

Business licenses

• Business licenses can be purchased with cash, check or credit card.
• Application and license fees for the City and County of Denver should be made payable to the Manager of Finance.

Online licenses

• These fees can be paid with a bank account or a Visa, Mastercard, or Discover card.

Sales, lodgers, use, occupation privilege tax information

201 W. Colfax Ave.

Denver, CO 80202

(720) 865-7018

Taxpayer service unit (720) 865-7075

You will need to apply for the retail food establishment license.

If you are going to sell alcohol, you will need a liquor license as well.

A special event permit is a permit issued to nonprofit organizations and political candidates to sell alcohol at a specific event where the facility does not currently hold a liquor license.

You will need to apply for the retail food mobile license.

Your check must be in our office on or before your expiration date to be considered on time with no late fees.