Denver Business Licensing Center

• Sole proprietor
• Partnership
• Corporation or Limited Liability Corporation (LLC)

If you need assistance creating your business, contact the Denver Office of Economic Development or visit their website for more information.

Types

• Standard – Live entertainment – no adult entertainment, no patron dancing
• Acoustic – Non-amplified live entertainment, no patron dancing
• Dance – Live or recorded entertainment and patron dancing, no adult entertainment
• Special Dance - Live or recorded entertainment and patron dancing – Entertainment is confined to the interior of the building or located upon the licensed premises as defined in the Colorado Liquor Code. Acoustic (non-amplified) live entertainment or recorded entertainment and patron dancing may be provided beyond the interior of the building; but no live entertainment shall be provided beyond the interior after 8:00 p.m.
• Event Center – Seating capacity for at least 2,500, live or recorded entertainment and patron dancing
• Adult Cabaret – Adult entertainment is provided in addition to the entertainment included in the Dance Cabaret
• Special Event – A one-time or limited event that includes entertainment, a separate permit is issued.
  
  
  
  
  

A Zone Use Permit is required before obtaining a liquor license. 

Application forms and business entity documents are required for the applications process.  All documents must be submitted in duplicate – one copy for the City of Denver and the original copy for the Sate of Colorado.  Documents must be printed in black ink or typewritten.  Photocopies are accepted.

NOTE:  Information that has been supplied in a simultaneous application for a liquor license associated with the premises does not have to be re-supplied if reference to the licensee's name and license number is included in the cabaret license application.

Application Documents

• Cabaret License Application (PDF)
• Right of Possession Document (Lease or Deed)
• Diagram of premises
  • Include floor space and seating capacity, including any floor space to be used for dancing
  • Include number of pool tables or amusement devices
• Financial Questionnaire (PDF)
• Individual History Form (PDF)
• 3 maps of the area
• Full set of fingerprints mailed to Colorado Bureau of Investigations (CBI) - Applicants and/or its officers, directors, partners, members, and 10% or greater shareholders and members if this has not already occurred in the liquor licensing process.

Additional Documentation by Form of Business Entity

Corporate Applicants

• Certificate of Incorporation
• A current Certificate of Good Standing
• A certificate of Authorization (if applicant is a foreign corporation)
• A list of Officers, Directors, and Stockholders of the Parent Corporation (The list must designate one person as the "principal officer")
• A Trade Name Certificate, if applicable
• Current Corporate minutes authorizing application for a liquor and/or cabaret license

Limited Liability Company Applicants

• Articles of Organization
• A current Certificate of Good Standing
• Operating Agreement
• A certificate of Authority (if the applicant is a foreign company)
• A Trade Name Certificate, if applicable
• Identification of its licensed premises manager

Sole Proprietorship Applicants

• Trade Name Affidavit, if applicable

Full set of fingerprints:  $38.50 per person

Fees can be paid with cash, check,  money order or credit card.  

• A public hearing is scheduled once all other requirements are complete
• An area is designated around the proposed location from which residents and business owners/managers can sign petitions and testify at the public hearing 
• The licensee must post a sign on the premises with notice of the hearing for at least twenty (20) days prior to the hearing.  Upon written request of a relevant registered neighborhood organization, the posting will be extended and the hearing rescheduled, for an additional twenty-five(25) days.
  • The posting sign must follow these guidelines:
    • Be white, sturdy, and measure 22 inches wide by 26 inches high with letters not less than one inch high
    • Be posted in a conspicuous place on the premises so that it is plainly visible and legible to the public
    • Contain a map of the designated area
• Registered neighborhood organizations (RNOs), public newspapers, the City Council and the Police District are notified of the application and public hearing
• Petitions are circulated in support and against the proposed liquor license
• Public Hearing is held
• Final decision is issued by the Director of Excise and Licenses

Read more about public hearings.  

After the public hearing is approved, the applicant will receive an inspection card.  Inspections and signatures are required from the following agencies:

• Development Services (720) 865-2982
• Denver Fire Department (720) 913-3409
• Environmental Health    (720) 865-5401
• Department of Excise and Licenses (720) 865-2756 (Last inspection.  Call when all other inspections have been completed.)

Once your inspections are completed, bring your signed card to the Department of Excise and Licenses office.  Your license will be issued when the following actions are taken: 

1. All documents required for the license are complete and submitted to the office
2. The background check is approved
3. All fees are paid in full
4. All approvals are given by the state and local offices.

NOTE:  You are encouraged to stay in touch with the Department of Excise and LIcenses during your application process as each step can vary from the general steps described herein depending upon your own particular circumstances.

• Licenses are issued for one year and must be renewed every year. 
• The Denver Department of Excise and Licenses will send renewal applications to active licensees 60 days prior to expiration.   

Renew in Person
Come to the Department of Excise and Licenses office with your completed renewal application. 

You will be issued a payment voucher.

Take the payment voucher to the cashier and pay the renewal license fee.

Return to the Department of Excise and Licenses office with your receipt for payment.

Your  license will be printed.

Renew by Mail
You can mail in your license renewal application along with a check made payable to the Manager of Finance for the total city fees due. Be sure to include your Business File Number (BFN) on your check.

Office Hours and Location
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Webb Municipal Office Building
201 W. Colfax Avenue, 2nd Floor

Phone
All City Services: 311

Mailing Information
Department of Excise and Licenses
201 W. Colfax Ave Dept. 206
Denver, CO 80202

Licenses must be renewed on or before the expiration date to avoid penalty fees.

90 Day Grace Period

There is a 90 day grace period from the expiration date during which licenses can be renewed for a penalty fee.

First 30 days of grace period:  20% penalty fee

Days 31 - 90:  50% penalty fee

After 90 days:  Licensees will be required to apply for a new license

• The Director of the Department of Excise and Licenses can determine that a valid basis exists to conduct a public hearing on an application for renewal or change of ownership of a cabaret license. 
• Procedures will be followed with regard to posting, publication, and notification of the public hearing.
• Once the public hearing is held, the Director of Excise and Licenses will issue a final written decision.

• Department of Excise and Licenses inspectors will attempt to locate and notify business license holders of the approaching expiration date.  However, failure of an inspector to notify a delinquent licensee that its license has expired does not excuse the licensee from any applicable late penalty.