Permits
Coffee and cart permits in Colorado
To sell coffee in Colorado, you work with your county health department for food and mobile vending permits, then add a business license and state tax registration. Pick your county below for the department that handles your area and the steps to open.
64 counties in Colorado. 11 have a detailed permit page below. For any other county, check your ZIP and we will point you to the right health department.
Statewide rules in Colorado
In Colorado, retail food and mobile food units are licensed by CDPHE or your local public health agency under the state's Retail Food Establishment Rules.
- Food & vending permits
- CDPHE, retail food licensingFind your local public health agency
- Sales tax permit
- Sales tax license, Colorado Dept. of Revenue
- Sales tax rate
- 2.9% state base rateTypical combined range: 2.9%-11.2%Counties, cities, and special or transit districts add local sales tax on top, so your combined rate depends on your exact address.Colorado DOR sales/use tax rates
- Food safety cards
- No statewide food handler card, but the person in charge must be a Certified Food Protection Manager (required since March 1, 2025).
Typical license fees
Colorado sets statewide annual license fees in statute under C.R.S. 25-4-1607. Most permits are issued by county or district public health agencies at these state-mandated rates.
- Brick and mortar cafe with seats
- $385 a year for up to 100 seats, more for larger
- Counter or kiosk with no seats
- $270 a year
- Mobile cart, trailer, or truck
- About $385 a year for a full service unit or $270 a year for prepackaged only
- Catering
- About $385 a year
A $155 nonrefundable application fee plus plan review costs up to $900 apply to new or remodeled establishments. The $270 rate covers limited operations that only serve prepackaged items, beverages, or reheated food. A new fee schedule takes effect January 1, 2026. Colorado sales tax license costs $16 for two years.
Fee schedule, last verified July 14, 2026.
Official links, last verified July 14, 2026. Requirements vary by city and change over time.
Confirm the current steps and fees before you apply.