The following information outlines the process involved in the construction or remodel of your food service facility. This information is only for obtaining a license to operate your proposed food service establishment and does not include any pertinent building or zoning requirements. Please contact the appropriate Building Department in your jurisdiction for building permit requirements.

First, the food service establishment specifications form located at the end of the Colorado Retail Food Rules and Regulations (Appendices C and D) must be completed and submitted to Eagle County along with a $100 application fee made payable to the Eagle County Treasurer. Additionally, a floor plan, proposed menu, and specification sheets (cut sheets) for all equipment used in your establishment is required. If review of your operational plan goes over an hour, a $50 per hour fee will be assessed. If cut sheets are not available, the make and model numbers for the equipment may be submitted, so we may verify the items are National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) approved. A minimum of two weeks is necessary to review your plans. The health specialist who reviews your plans will send you a letter detailing any additional information that is needed to complete the plan review or give you the go ahead to proceed with construction. Construction and/or operation must not begin until your plans have been approved and you have been notified by this office in writing.

Next, a pre-operational inspection must be scheduled by you fourteen days in advance. During the pre-operational inspection a retail food service license application will be provided for you to complete. The information requested on the food service application includes your State of Colorado Sales Tax License number, your Federal Employer Identification number, type of ownership, and name of establishment. The fee for operating a food service establishment is based on the seating capacity for restaurants and square footage for grocery stores. This operating fee must be collected at the pre-operational inspection, along with the completed application which was detailed above. Food service licenses are non-transferable, and need to be renewed in January of each year. If the restaurant is sold at any time during the year, the new owners must pay for a new license in their name.

Mobile Units
The Colorado Retail Food Establishment Rules and Regulations detail the compliance requirements to receive and retain a retail food license. Licenses are not transferable upon sale of a facility. Mobile food service operations must meet these minimum qualifications. Plan reviews are required prior to obtaining a retail food license for a mobile unit and for any new establishment. There is a plan review fee that is due at the time of plan submission. The fee depends on the type of establishment, but is generally $100.

Please view our PowerPoint presentation to learn about safe food handling practices, and follow these operational checklists for mobile and/or catering units.

If you need additional information, please contact us at 970-328-8755 or environment@eaglecounty.us. Please mail all correspondence to:

Eagle County Environmental Health
P.O. Box 179
510 Broadway
Eagle, CO 81631