Permits, licensing, health authority, costs, and veteran-business programs for launching a food truck in Colorado.
Permits & licensing
- Form a CO entity with the Secretary of State; obtain an EIN.
- Register for CO state and city sales tax (Denver is home-rule - separate filing).
- Apply for the Retail Food Mobile permit through the local LPHA (Denver DPHE, Tri-County Health, Boulder County, etc.); pass plan review and pre-operational inspection.
- Obtain a city business license / sales tax license for each city of operation.
- Obtain a CFPM credential; provide commissary documentation where required.
Health inspection
Inspections under 6 CCR 1010-2 cover potable water, wastewater handling, handwash sink, temperature control, fire suppression, employee health, and commissary docs. Common failures: tank sizing in mountain-altitude builds, expired commissary letter, propane non-compliance.
Commissary requirement
CDPHE rules generally require a commissary for Mobile Retail Food Establishments. Self-sufficient units may be permitted stricter on-board standards.
Cost breakdown
| Item | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Used truck or trailer build | $38,000 | $115,000 |
| Permits + licenses (year 1) | $1,000 | $3,500 |
| Commissary (monthly x 6 mo) | $2,700 | $7,800 |
| Insurance (annual) | $2,500 | $5,500 |
| Initial inventory | $2,500 | $5,500 |
| Working capital reserve | $13,300 | $42,700 |
| Total | $60,000 | $180,000 |
Top metros to start in
-
Denver
Largest CO market, Civic Center Eats and event circuit.
-
Boulder
High price tolerance, tech-campus catering.
-
Colorado Springs
Multiple military installations, growing event circuit.
Common mistakes
- Treating Denver sales tax like the rest of the state - Denver is home-rule with a separate filing.
- Skipping Tri-County permits when Denver suburbs (Adams, Arapahoe, Douglas) are on the calendar.
- Operating without a winter cash plan - CO volume is heavily seasonal.
Related FAQs
How do I get a mobile food permit?
Apply through your county or city health department for a mobile food facility permit, plus a business license from your city clerk and a sales tax permit from your state revenue department. Most jurisdictions require a plan review, commissary letter, and onsite truck inspection before issuing.
How do I find a commissary kitchen?
Search "commissary kitchen near me" plus directories like The Kitchen Door, CloudKitchens, and your local food truck association vendor list. Tour at least three. Confirm 24/7 access, dry and cold storage, grease trap, potable water fill, and wastewater dump before signing a month-to-month agreement.
How much does it cost to start a food truck in 2026?
Total startup typically ranges from $50,000 to $200,000+ depending on used vs. new truck, market, and equipment. Food Truck Empire and Restaurant Business industry surveys consistently report most first-time operators land in roughly the $75,000-$150,000 range including truck, equipment, permits, and 90-day working capital.
How much should I budget for first-year operating losses?
Plan for 3-6 months of operating losses while you build a customer base, refine the menu, and lock in catering pipeline. A working reserve of 3 months of fixed costs — typically $15,000-$30,000 for a small operation — keeps you from making panic decisions in month two.
How do I file food truck taxes?
File federal income tax (Schedule C if LLC single-member, Form 1120-S if S-corp), quarterly estimated tax payments, state income tax where applicable, state sales tax monthly or quarterly, and federal payroll tax (Form 941) if you have employees. A CPA is cheaper than IRS penalties.