Colorado retail food license fees are set by the STATE (SB25-285) and are identical in every CO jurisdiction; they phase up in 2026, 2027 and 2028. Restaurants and caterers are grouped and licensed by seating capacity. Each establishment pays only one applicable category fee. Douglas County Health Department administers licensing locally.
State fee schedule; Douglas County Health Department issues mobile-unit and pushcart licenses and reviews the required commissary/servicing area.
| Category | Annual fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Caterer | $481 (0-100 seats) / $538 (101-200) / $581 (over 200), 2026 - source https://la-h-health.colorado.gov/news-article/notice-to-retail-food-establishments | Colorado's statewide SB25-285 schedule groups caterers with restaurants, licensed by seating capacity. |
| Bar / limited food service | $338 (Limited Food Service Establishment), 2026 - source https://la-h-health.colorado.gov/news-article/notice-to-retail-food-establishments | Statewide SB25-285 category for limited-menu operations (bars, coffee shops, etc.). |
| Grocery / market with deli | Grocery with deli: $469 (under 15,001 sq ft) / $894 (over 15,000 sq ft); grocery without deli $244 / $441, 2026 - source https://la-h-health.colorado.gov/news-article/notice-to-retail-food-establishments | Statewide SB25-285 schedule, priced by square footage and whether a deli is present. |
| Pushcart / mobile vending | Mobile full service $481 / prepackaged food only $338, 2026 - source https://la-h-health.colorado.gov/news-article/notice-to-retail-food-establishments | Statewide SB25-285 mobile retail food establishment fees; commissary/servicing area required. |