foodservicenerd
Local permits & fees

El Paso County, CO — Commercial Kitchen Permits

El Paso County Public Health (EPCPH) - Environmental Health, Retail Food Program · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.

Restaurant / food-facility permit

Retail Food Establishment License
Restaurants/caterers (2026 state schedule): $481 (0-100 seats); $538 (101-200 seats); $581 (over 200 seats); Limited Food Service $338

Colorado retail food license fees are set by state statute (SB25-285), effective for licenses issued on/after Sep 1, 2025, with further increases scheduled 2027-2028. EPCPH collects/issues under the state schedule.

Plan review — required

Fee not published online.

Plan-review details & forms →

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile Retail Food (Mobile Food License) - EPCPH
$100-$300/yr (by risk classification)

EPCPH plan review required for new mobile units not previously licensed in El Paso County. City of Colorado Springs also issues a separate Mobile Food Vendor License (business/zoning). Exact mobile line-item under the 2026 state schedule not captured - range is approximate.

How to apply

Forms & applications

Watch out for

  • Two-agency setup: EPCPH issues the retail food/health license and approves commissary; City Clerk issues the Mobile Food Vendor License.
  • Special Event permits ~$248 (limited menu, 1 event) to ~$425 (full menu, multiple events).

Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction

CategoryAnnual feeNotes
temporary/special-event—"Special Event License" in two tiers: Limited (funnel cakes, fries, frozen yogurt, freshly squeezed lemonade, etc.) and Full Menu (burgers, gyros, turkey legs, etc.). No fee amounts published on dept site. No separate caterer/commissary/bakery/market-deli/pushcart/food-processing/bar categories listed.
Colorado statewide rules
Who licenses you, reciprocity, and the state regime.
What equipment you need
Build a tailored equipment checklist for your concept.
Permits & plan review, explained
The stack of approvals before you open.
Sources: www.elpasocountyhealth.org · coloradosprings.gov · epc-assets.elpasoco.com · observed 2026-08-07