Home Bakery Permit Requirements in Denver, CO

Complete permit and license guide for starting a home bakery in Denver, Denver County, Colorado.

$50 -- $300 Immediate for cottage food sales under $5,000; 1–3 weeks for registration if over threshold 5 requirements

Not legal advice. Requirements may change — always verify with your local government authority before applying. Last verified: March 13, 2026.

Denver / Denver County Requirements

1 requirement

Denver Business License (if applicable)

Cottage food businesses selling directly to consumers from home are generally exempt from Denver's business license requirement under the state cottage food exemption, but may still register for tax purposes. Check with Denver Excise & Licenses for your specific situation.

$25–$50/year (if required)1–2 weeks

Official government source

Colorado State Requirements

3 requirements

Colorado Cottage Foods Act Exemption (up to $5,000/yr)

Colorado's Cottage Foods Act (HB 12-1027) allows home bakers to sell non-hazardous baked goods directly to consumers with no permit required, up to $5,000 in gross annual sales. Covered products include breads, cookies, cakes, pastries, and jams. All products must be labeled with producer name, address, ingredients, net weight, and a disclaimer stating the product was made in a home kitchen.

FreeNo waiting period

Official government source

CO Dept of Agriculture Registration (over $5,000/yr)

If your annual cottage food sales exceed $5,000, you must register with the Colorado Department of Agriculture and comply with additional labeling and production requirements. You may also need to use a licensed commercial kitchen for higher-volume operations.

$35–$100/year1–3 weeks

Official government source

Colorado Sales Tax License

Sales tax may apply to retail food sales depending on the type of food and where it's sold. Register with the Colorado Department of Revenue to determine your tax obligations.

$16/yearImmediate (online application)

Official government source