14 permits · verified 2026-10-10
What permits do you need to open a coffee shop in El Paso County Co?
In short
A coffee shop in El Paso County Co, CO has 5 permits that apply to every business of this type, plus 9 more that depend on your premises, signage or how you are set up. El Paso County Public Health, Environmental Health Division charges $961 per new OWTS permit, including one reinspection; modification or major repair permit $891; minor repair permit $554 (Board of Health 2024 Fee Schedule) for the onsite wastewater treatment system (septic) permit. 8 of the 14 are charged as a range or formula rather than a flat fee. Verified 2026-10-10 against the issuing agencies’ published fee schedules.
Permits particular to a coffee shop in El Paso County Co
| Permit | Issuing agency | Fee | Renews | Last checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Special Event Retail Food Permit | El Paso County Public Health, Environmental Health Division | $248–$425 Limited menu $248 for one event or $340 for multiple events; full menu $298 for one event or $425 for multiple events (Board of Health 2024 Fee Schedule, effective January 1, 2024) | per event, or for multiple events under the multiple-event permit | 2026-10-10 |
| Retail Food Establishment License (fixed and mobile) | El Paso County Public Health, Environmental Health Division | The county Board of Health 2024 Fee Schedule prices the license 'Per Section 25-4-1607 C.R.S.'; the C.R.S. 25-4-1607(1.1)(a) amounts as enacted by SB25-285, 2026 amount (amount from January 1, 2027 in brackets): restaurant or caterer 0-100 seats $481 ($567); 101-200 seats $538 ($634); over 200 seats $581 ($687); limited food service $338 ($394); mobile food establishment full service $481 ($567); mobile prepackaged food $338 ($394); grocery under 15,001 sq ft $244 ($282); grocery over 15,000 sq ft $441 ($519); grocery with deli under 15,001 sq ft $469 ($552); grocery with deli over 15,000 sq ft $894 ($1,062). Plan review is charged separately. | annual | 2026-10-10 |
| Retail Food Establishment License | Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Division of Environmental Health and Sustainability | $244–$1,063 a year for 2026, banded by establishment type and size; the schedule rises in 2027 and 2028 | annual | 2026-09-03 |
| Certified Food Protection Manageronly if it applies to you | Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Division of Environmental Health and Sustainability | No fee | set by the certifying programme, not by Colorado | 2026-09-03 |
Fees shown as a range or formula are set that way by the issuing agency — we do not average them into a single number.
Local permits that apply to every type of business in El Paso County Co
| Permit | Issuing agency | Fee | Renews | Last checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado State Sales Tax License (county sales tax statement) | Colorado Department of Revenue (sales tax) | Varies — formula on the El Paso County Co page | as set by the Colorado Department of Revenue for the state license | 2026-10-10 |
| Building Permit and Certificate of Occupancy (PPRBD)only if it applies to you | Pikes Peak Regional Building Department | Varies — formula on the El Paso County Co page | per permit | 2026-10-10 |
| Floodplain Development Permit (PPRBD)only if it applies to you | Pikes Peak Regional Building Department | Varies — formula on the El Paso County Co page | per permit | 2026-10-10 |
| Zoning and Land-Use Approvals (unincorporated areas)only if it applies to you | El Paso County Planning and Community Development | Varies — formula on the El Paso County Co page | per application | 2026-10-10 |
| Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (Septic) Permitonly if it applies to you | El Paso County Public Health, Environmental Health Division | $961 per new OWTS permit, including one reinspection; modification or major repair permit $891; minor repair permit $554 (Board of Health 2024 Fee Schedule) | per permit | 2026-10-10 |
Fees shown as a range or formula are set that way by the issuing agency — we do not average them into a single number.
CO registrations that apply to every type of business
| Permit | Issuing agency | Fee | Renews | Last checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Articles of Incorporationonly if it applies to you | Colorado Secretary of State, Business Division | $50 one-time filing, online only | perpetual, but a periodic report is due every year | 2026-09-03 |
| General Business License — Colorado position (issued locally)only if it applies to you | Colorado Secretary of State, Business Division | No fee | set by the city or county | 2026-09-03 |
| Sales Tax License | Colorado Department of Revenue, Taxation Division | Varies — formula on the CO page | 2 years — every license expires on 31 December of an odd-numbered year | 2026-09-03 |
| Articles of Organization (LLC)only if it applies to you | Colorado Secretary of State, Business Division | $50 one-time filing, online only | perpetual, but a periodic report is due every year | 2026-09-03 |
| Periodic Reportonly if it applies to you | Colorado Secretary of State, Business Division | $25 a year; $50 more if filed late | annual — due in the entity's own periodic report month | 2026-09-03 |
Fees shown as a range or formula are set that way by the issuing agency — we do not average them into a single number.
How much does it actually cost to permit a coffee shop in El Paso County Co?
There is no single figure, and any site quoting one is rounding away the part that matters. Of the 14 records listed for a coffee shop in El Paso County Co, CO, 5 apply to every business of this type and 9 are conditional. Adding every fee on the page together would overstate what most operators pay, because it would include permits they never need.
8 of the 14 are charged as a range or a formula set by the issuing agency, and 2 have no fee published at all. The ones particular to this business that vary:
Special Event Retail Food Permit: $248–$425 Limited menu $248 for one event or $340 for multiple events; full menu $298 for one event or $425 for multiple events (Board of Health 2024 Fee Schedule, effective January 1, 2024)
Retail Food Establishment License (fixed and mobile): The county Board of Health 2024 Fee Schedule prices the license 'Per Section 25-4-1607 C.R.S.'; the C.R.S. 25-4-1607(1.1)(a) amounts as enacted by SB25-285, 2026 amount (amount from January 1, 2027 in brackets): restaurant or caterer 0-100 seats $481 ($567); 101-200 seats $538 ($634); over 200 seats $581 ($687); limited food service $338 ($394); mobile food establishment full service $481 ($567); mobile prepackaged food $338 ($394); grocery under 15,001 sq ft $244 ($282); grocery over 15,000 sq ft $441 ($519); grocery with deli under 15,001 sq ft $469 ($552); grocery with deli over 15,000 sq ft $894 ($1,062). Plan review is charged separately.
Retail Food Establishment License: $244–$1,063 a year for 2026, banded by establishment type and size; the schedule rises in 2027 and 2028
The other 5 variable fees belong to permits that apply to every type of business here; their formulas are set out on the El Paso County Co permits page and the CO state page.
Which offices issue these permits in El Paso County Co?
Permits for a coffee shop in El Paso County Co, CO come from 7 separate offices: El Paso County Public Health, Environmental Health Division, Colorado Department of Revenue (sales tax), Pikes Peak Regional Building Department, El Paso County Planning and Community Development, Colorado Secretary of State, Business Division, Colorado Department of Revenue, Taxation Division, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Division of Environmental Health and Sustainability. No single office issues them all, which is why an opening means filing in several places rather than one.
- El Paso County Public Health, Environmental Health DivisionIssues 3 permits on this page: Special Event Retail Food Permit, Retail Food Establishment License (fixed and mobile), Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (Septic) Permit1675 W. Garden of the Gods Rd, Suite 2044, Colorado Springs, CO 80907 · (719) 578-3199 option 3www.elpasocountyhealth.org/licenses-permits-inspections-water-testing/retail-food/retail-food-establishments
- Colorado Department of Revenue (sales tax)Issues 1 permit on this page: Colorado State Sales Tax License (county sales tax statement)tax.colorado.gov/sales-tax-guide
- Pikes Peak Regional Building DepartmentIssues 2 permits on this page: Building Permit and Certificate of Occupancy (PPRBD), Floodplain Development Permit (PPRBD)2880 International Circle, Colorado Springs, CO 80910 · (719) 327-2880www.pprbd.org/Home/About
- El Paso County Planning and Community DevelopmentIssues 1 permit on this page: Zoning and Land-Use Approvals (unincorporated areas)planningdevelopment.elpasoco.com
- Colorado Secretary of State, Business DivisionIssues 4 permits on this page: Articles of Incorporation, General Business License — Colorado position (issued locally), Articles of Organization (LLC), Periodic Report1700 Broadway, Suite 550, Denver, CO 80290 · (303) 894-2200www.coloradosos.gov/pubs/business/businessHome.html
- Colorado Department of Revenue, Taxation DivisionIssues 1 permit on this page: Sales Tax License1375 Sherman Street, Denver, CO 80261 · (303) 238-7378tax.colorado.gov/sales-tax-account-license
- Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Division of Environmental Health and SustainabilityIssues 2 permits on this page: Retail Food Establishment License, Certified Food Protection Manager4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver, CO 80246 · (303) 692-3645cdphe.colorado.gov/dehs/rf/licensing
What does a coffee shop need in El Paso County Co that other businesses do not?
Special Event Retail Food Permit
EPCPH's Retail Food Establishments page states that 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, that a Special Event Permit is needed for food retailers operating in a temporary setup such as a tent, kiosk or temporary structure, and that applications are due at least 10 days before the event. Its FAQ adds that the county does not honor special event permits from other Colorado counties and that a brick-and-mortar licensee also needs a Special Event Permit to operate at an event. C.R.S. 25-4-1607(1.1)(b)(II), as enacted by SB25-285, directs the county or district public health agency to set special-event license fees. The fees are $248 for one event or $340 for multiple events with a limited menu, and $298 for one event or $425 for multiple events with a full menu. The figure is from the El Paso County Board of Health 2024 Fee Schedule (Regulations Chapter 3, approved October 25, 2023, effective January 1, 2024), which is the schedule currently posted on the EPCPH Regulations page; no successor schedule is posted.
Shared with other businesses in El Paso County Co
- Retail Food Establishment License (fixed and mobile) — El Paso County Public Health, Environmental Health Division, The county Board of Health 2024 Fee Schedule prices the license 'Per Section 25-4-1607 C.R.S.'; the C.R.S. 25-4-1607(1.1)(a) amounts as enacted by SB25-285, 2026 amount (amount from January 1, 2027 in brackets): restaurant or caterer 0-100 seats $481 ($567); 101-200 seats $538 ($634); over 200 seats $581 ($687); limited food service $338 ($394); mobile food establishment full service $481 ($567); mobile prepackaged food $338 ($394); grocery under 15,001 sq ft $244 ($282); grocery over 15,000 sq ft $441 ($519); grocery with deli under 15,001 sq ft $469 ($552); grocery with deli over 15,000 sq ft $894 ($1,062). Plan review is charged separately., annual. Also required for restaurants, food trucks and retail stores; what it involves is set out on the restaurants page.
- Retail Food Establishment License — Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Division of Environmental Health and Sustainability, $244–$1,063 a year for 2026, banded by establishment type and size; the schedule rises in 2027 and 2028, annual. Also required for restaurants and food trucks; what it involves is set out on the restaurants page.
- Certified Food Protection Manager — Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Division of Environmental Health and Sustainability, No fee, set by the certifying programme, not by Colorado. Also required for restaurants and food trucks; what it involves is set out on the food trucks page.
The other 5 local permits in the tables apply to every type of business in El Paso County Co, CO; what each one involves is set out on the El Paso County Co permits page. The 5 state-level registrations apply to every type of business across CO and are covered on the CO state page.
How does a coffee shop compare with other businesses in El Paso County Co?
A coffee shop and a food truck in El Paso County Co, CO need exactly the same 4 permits beyond the ones every business needs.
| Business | Its own permits | Shared with a coffee shop | Only a coffee shop needs | Only it needs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food trucks | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Restaurants | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| Retail stores | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| Auto repair shops | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
| Childcare centres | 3 | 0 | 4 | 3 |
| Contractors and trades | 4 | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| Fitness studios | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
| Salons and barbers | 2 | 0 | 4 | 2 |
| Veterinary clinics | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
Sources
Every figure for the permits explained on this page was read from one of these government pages on the date shown. Sources for the permits shared with other businesses are listed with their explanations on the restaurants page and food trucks page. Sources for the permits that apply to every type of business are listed on the El Paso County Co permits page and the CO state page. Confirmed by Editorial Team.
- El Paso County Board of Health, Chapter 3 — Fee Schedule and Civil Penalties (approved October 25, 2023, effective January 1, 2024)El Paso County Public Health · primary source · retrieved 2026-09-08
- Retail Food EstablishmentsEl Paso County Public Health · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-10
- Senate Bill 25-285, signed act (amending C.R.S. 25-4-1607 and 25-4-1608: retail food establishment fees)Colorado General Assembly · primary source · retrieved 2026-10-10
Related
Commercial Compliance Hub publishes information, not legal advice. Requirements change — confirm anything you rely on with the issuing agency before you file.