Retail Food Establishments

NOTICE: Public walk-in Plan Review hours are now available Mondays and Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. located at the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department.

All Retail Food applications are now available online for electronic submission!

Submit an Online Application or Pay an Invoice *Login must be created

View Inspection Reports

Areas El Paso County Public Health Serves

Permit Partner is a tool for business owners that helps with estimating the cost of potential permits, applications, inspections, and licenses for new and expanding businesses, special events and zoning requirements. It takes the information you provide and generates a list of estimated fees and required approvals.

Permit Partner: Special Events, Zoning, Business

Food Safety

Retail food establishments are required to be licensed in Colorado in accordance with Colorado Revised Statutes 25-4-1610 (1) (b). Licenses are associated with the current ownership, location, and Colorado Sales Tax License.

El Paso County Public Health licenses and inspects facilities such as, but not limited to, restaurants, mobile food trucks, coffee kiosks, cafeterias, convenience stores/gas stations, drug stores, grocery stores, bars, hotels, assisted and independent living facilities and special events.

New/Remodel

To Open a New Retail Food Establishment/Extensive Remodel

Any new construction or extensive remodel on a fixed location or mobile unit will require completion of the Plan Review process prior to construction.

Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Please contact Environmental Health at: (719) 578-3199 option 3 with any questions.

Extensive remodel includes, but is not limited to:

Changes or alterations to non-public areas that result in reduction or increase of total space by 25 percent or more.
Increasing seating capacity by 15 seats, or 20 percent (whichever is greater).
Capabilities to handle food, equipment, or utensils in a sanitary manner have been diminished due to a food process, or menu change, that introduces new foodborne illness risks.
Download Plan Review Packet
Download Mobile Plan Review Packet

Minor remodel includes, but is not limited to:

Existing plumbing fixtures (i.e. 3-compartment sink, hand sink, prep sink, dish machine) are relocated.
Replacing or adding equipment.
Construction is being conducted without a building permit (i.e. lighting changes, finish changes).
Replacing a water heater (standard tank-type or instantaneous).
Download Minor Remodel- Short Form

Review of Potential Retail Food Establishment Site can also be scheduled with a specialist and completed for $75.00.

If you choose not to submit an application online, completed applications can be emailed to [email protected], mailed or delivered to the Environmental Health Office.

Plan Review Office Hours:
Monday & Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Pikes Peak Regional Building Department
2880 International Cir
Colorado Springs, CO 80910

Change of Ownership

To open a previously licensed Retail Food Establishment

An application for a license may be considered without a plan review for an existing retail food establishment if you are planning to purchase, or have already purchased, an existing/previously existing food service operation and are not making any changes to the establishment or equipment. When purchasing an existing/previously existing retail food establishment, the proposed licensee is required to bring the facility up to current building codes and retail food establishment regulations.

Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Please contact Environmental Health at: (719) 578-3199 option 3 with any questions.

If you choose not to submit an application online, completed applications can be emailed to [email protected], mailed or delivered to the Environmental Health Office.

Special Events

All special event food vendors who wish to operate in El Paso County must have a valid El Paso County Public Health Special Event License. "Special event" means an organized event or celebration at which retail food establishments prepare, serve or otherwise provide food for human consumption.

For those vendors who wish to obtain licensing through El Paso County Public Health, applications will be reviewed by the Environmental Health Division, and to promote public health and prevent foodborne illness, the division will provide training and educational services. Under this program, the division will also respond to complaints received from the public.

Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Please contact Environmental Health at: (719) 578-3199 option 3 with any questions.