Retail operations that store, prepare, or package food for consumers require a valid Retail Food Establishment License dated for the current year.
Retail Food Establishment license fees are based on the type and size of the operation and are only valid for a calendar year.
Applications and Packets
Retail Food License Application:
This is the application for retail food licenses.
Ways to Pay:
Online: My Health Department - User must create an account and click "Invoices" to begin.
Phone: Pay by phone with a credit card, call 719-583-4307 option #3. Monday - Friday, 8 am - 4 pm.
Mail: Send check or money order made out to PDPHE 101 W. 9th St. Pueblo CO 81003. Do not send cash.
Facility Plan Review Packet: Any new food facility in Pueblo County is required to complete this plan review. The plan review packet is a general outline of the food operation. You will be asked to provide a facility layout, equipment list, and a sample menu.
Temporary Events
Temporary Event - Coordinator Packet: If you are an event coordinator of a temporary event, a coordinator packet is required. This outlines the plan for the location of the event, the event time frame, the services provided (water supply, grey water disposal, restroom facilities), and a list of vendors. The coordinator packet is the first step in planning an event with vendors and should be received before vendor applications.
Temporary Event- Vendor Packet: Temporary Events are organized events or celebrations at which retail food establishments prepare, serve, or otherwise provide food for human consumption (celebrations, festivals, and fairs.) Food vending at temporary events is modified and requires approval from the Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment. The first step is properly filling out a vendor packet.
Additional Forms and Resources
Food Regulations: This document outlines all the food rules used by inspectors and contains all Colorado retail food establishment rules and regulations.
License Renewals
Facility Renewals
If you hold a current Retail Food License, you will receive an invoice to renew via email from HealthSpace Cloud Print in November. If you have not received your invoice or believe we have the wrong email on file, please contact us immediately at 719-583-4307 ext. 2. To ensure you receive your annual license before the new year, please make your payment promptly. As a reminder, it is unlawful to operate without a valid license, and additional fees may be assessed. If your establishment is going out of business and not operating in the new year, please notify us as soon as possible. This will help us manage our records and ensure accurate licensing for all active businesses.
Opening a New Food Facility (including remodels)
It is necessary to submit detailed plans and specifications of a proposed newly constructed retail food establishment and/or the affected areas of any proposed extensively remodeled retail food establishment. Each retail food operator, or person intending to become a retail food operator, is responsible for submitting all plans and specifications. Those assisting an operator may submit plans and specifications on the operator's authority.
Failure to provide the required information may delay the plan review process. A plan review packet requires a review fee and takes a minimum of 14 business days to complete. Upon completion of the plan review, a pre-opening inspection of the facility and operations is conducted leading to the final step, licensing.
Any revision of plans must be submitted to the Department for review and modification or approval. NOTE: Even if the Pueblo Regional Building Department has conducted a plan review and approved plans, the Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment must conduct a separate plan review using a separate set of blueprints and a completed plan review packet.
Change of Owner
For existing facilities that wish to formally change ownership (which is changing the legal owner, attaining a new Colorado Department of Revenue Sales Tax ID number and getting a new Retail Food Establishment license) a new License Application must be filled out and a plan review packet for the new operations and a special inspection may be required. Licenses from other establishments are non-transferable. Normal plan reviews fees apply including a special inspection fee for the Change of Ownership Inspection.