IN GENERAL

Denver Revised Municipal Code ch. 32, art. I

in effect

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 32-1 Enforcement by manager of licensing and consumer protection to have exclusive licensing powers; hearing officers.

Sec. 32-1. - Enforcement by manager of licensing and consumer protection to have exclusive licensing powers; hearing officers. (a) Manager of licensing and consumer protection—Authority. The manager shall have full power to grant, renew, suspend during investigation, and suspend or revoke after notice and hearing, any license issued under authority of this chapter 32. (b) Designation of authority. The manager may designate a hearing officer or other such person to carry out the duties of this chapter. The hearing officer shall be appointed by the manager and shall serve at the manager's pleasure. The manager may delegate to the hearing officer the hearing of all matters, appeals, and cases which the manager may hear. The manager or hearing officer shall have the power to control the hearing including, but not limited to: ruling upon motions and offers of proof, receiving and admitting evidence, limiting the presentation of evidence and cross-examination so as to prevent repetitive and cumulative evidence or examination, and ordering any person to be removed from the hearing. If so delegated, a hearing officer shall hear all testimony and prepare a written statement of findings and recommendations to the manager. The manager shall review all matters contained in the record and considered by the hearing officer as set forth in the written findings and thereupon make a final decision and determination. Unless stated otherwise, the manager is not bound by the written findings and recommendations of the hearing officer. (Ord. No. 551-23, § 1, 6-5-23; Ord. No. 1003-25, § 18, 7-28-25)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 32-2 Effective date; no vested rights.

Sec. 32-2. - Effective date; no vested rights. (a) Effect on existing licenses and pending applications. All applications currently pending before the department will continue to be processed subject to provisions applicable at the time the application was received by the department. (b) No entitlement or vested right to licensing. No person shall be deemed to have any entitlement or vested right to local licensing under this article by virtue of having applied for or having received any prior license or permit from the city or the state. (Ord. No. 551-23, § 1, 6-5-23)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 32-3 Definitions.

Sec. 32-3. - Definitions. The following definitions apply unless more specific provisions are applicable for the license type: (1) Applicant means any person applying for a business or individual license issued by the department, or any transaction relating thereto. (2) Court appointee means a person appointed by a court as a receiver, personal representative, executor, administrator, guardian, conservator, trustee, or similarly situated person, who is authorized by the court to take possession of, operate, manage, or control a licensed business. (3) Department means the department of licensing and consumer protection. (4) Good moral character means having a criminal background or licensing history that demonstrates honesty, fairness, and respect for the rights of others and for local, state, and federal law. (5) Identification card means a card or badge issued to an individual licensee or permittee to conduct or engage activity for which a license is required. (6) Law enforcement officer has the meaning set forth in section 38-116 of this Code. (7) License means a license granted to a person to engage in or conduct activities for which a license is required pursuant to state or local law. The term "license" is synonymous with the term "permit" and all general license provisions of this Code shall equally apply to any permit granted by the department. (8) Licensed premises means the premises specified in an application for a license pursuant to this Code, that is owned or in possession of the licensee, and within which the licensee is authorized to conduct activities permitted by such license. (9) Licensee or permittee means any person holding a valid license or permit issued by the department. (10) Manager means the manager of licensing and consumer protection. (11) Person has the meaning set forth in section 1-2 of this Code. (Ord. No. 551-23, § 1, 6-5-23; Ord. No. 500-25, § 2, 5-5-25; Ord. No. 1003-25, § 18, 7-28-25)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 32-4 License required.

Sec. 32-4. - License required. It shall be unlawful for any person, whether or not they are licensed in another jurisdiction, to engage in an activity for which a license issued by the department is required without first having obtained such license from the department. (Ord. No. 551-23, § 1, 6-5-23)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 32-5 Application requirements.

Sec. 32-5. - Application requirements. (a) Application requirements—generally. The application for every license required by and issued under the authority of this chapter 32 shall be made to the department in the manner provided by the manager. Applications shall be deemed incomplete and will not be acted upon if the department does not receive the requisite application fee and the application does not contain: (1) The information required by this Code; (2) Any other information required pursuant to an applicable statutory authority; or (3) Any other information required by the manager. (b) Administrative closure of applications—Failure to complete application within one (1) year. Pending applications shall be administratively closed, without a hearing, one (1) year after the date of application. Once an application is administratively closed the applicant must begin the licensing process anew. At the manager's discretion, the manager may reopen an application that has been administratively closed if the applicant can produce, no later than thirty (30) days after administrative closure, documentary, or other empirical evidence to establish good cause for the failure to complete the application process. (c) Application withdrawal. An applicant may request that their application be withdrawn in a form or manner provided by the manager. The manager, in the manager's discretion, may approve or deny the withdrawal request. Upon approval of the request, the application shall be administratively closed and the applicant must be begin the licensing process anew. (d) Refund of application fees. The manager may refund application fees for administratively closed or withdrawn applications upon a showing of good cause. (e) For purposes of this section, the term "good cause" means the failure to complete the application process occurred due to circumstances outside of the applicant's control. (Ord. No. 551-23, § 1, 6-5-23; Ord. No. 1003-25, § 18, 7-28-25)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 32-6 Fees and bond requirements.

Sec. 32-6. - Fees and bond requirements. (a) License fees. The license fee for every license required by and issued under the authority of the city shall be payable in advance and shall accompany the application. The fee shall be payable to the manager of finance who shall endorse on the license such payment. If the license is not granted, the fee tendered hereunder shall be refunded, and the manager of finance may initiate the refund procedure. (b) Waiver of license fees. The manager may waive the local licensing fees for licenses granted by the department as provided in rules promulgated by the department. (c) Proration of fees. The manager may prorate the license fee if a license is issued for a period shorter than the full term of the license. If authorized, the license fee shall be calculated by multiplying the number of months that the license or permit will be effective by 1/12 of the annual license fee. The number of months includes the month in which the license is issued and the month in which the license expires. (d) Partial payments—Prohibited. Unless provided otherwise, no partial payments for any fees shall be accepted by the department. (e) Rebate of fees—Taking of property. If the property on which the licensed premises is situated is taken for public use the licensee may surrender the license and receive a rebate in the amount set forth in this section. (f) Rebate of fees—Destruction of property. If the property on which the licensed premises is destroyed by fire or natural disaster to such an extent that the continuation of the business is impractical the licensee may surrender the license and receive a rebate in the amount set forth in this section. (g) Rebate of fees—Uncontrollable circumstances. If the manager, in the manager's discretion, determines that the licensee's business has been involuntarily terminated due to circumstances occurring outside of the licensee's control, the licensee may surrender the license and receive a rebate in the amount set forth in this section. (h) Calculation of rebate. The rebate provided for in this section shall be calculated by multiplying the number of months remaining in the license term, beginning with the first month after termination, by 1/12 of the annual license or permit fee. (i) Rebate of fees prohibited for suspended and revoked licenses. Licenses shall not be eligible for a rebate of the license fee if the license has pending disciplinary action, is currently subject to license suspension, or if the manager determines that the license should be revoked or otherwise subject to disciplinary action. (j) Bond requirements. When the terms of this Code or any other applicable statutory authority set out bond requirements, no license shall be issued until the licensee or applicant furnishes the requisite and required bond with a surety to be approved by the manager. The following conditions shall be attached to the bond: (1) The applicant or licensee shall comply with all applicable provisions of this Code and any other applicable statutory authority; (2) The applicant shall pay all fines, penalties and costs that may be imposed against the licensee or applicant for any and all violations of this Code and any other applicable statutory authority; and (3) Any other conditions reasonably required by the manager. (Ord. No. 551-23, § 1, 6-5-23; Ord. No. 1003-25, § 18, 7-28-25)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 32-7 Approval by other officials.

Sec. 32-7. - Approval by other officials. Upon receipt of any application, the manager may give notice of the application to any other city agency or department. The applicant shall obtain any and all necessary permits, licenses, and other regulatory approvals from the city departments and agencies prior to the issuance, modification, or renewal of the license. (Ord. No. 551-23, § 1, 6-5-23; Ord. No. 1003-25, § 18, 7-28-25)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 32-8 Provisions applicable to all licenses.

Sec. 32-8. - Provisions applicable to all licenses. (a) Contents of license. Every license shall show upon its face: (1) The name of the person to whom such license has been issued; (2) The name of the licensed business, if different from the name of the person to whom such license has been issued; (3) The type of license(s); (4) The date the license was issued and the date on which the license expires; (5) The location, if any, of the licensed premises; and (6) Such other information as deemed necessary and pertinent by the manager. (b) Separate license for each location. A separate license shall be required, where applicable, for each location of a business licensed under this chapter. (c) Posting. Every license issued by the city for a business to be conducted at a particular location shall be posted on the licensed premises during the period such license is valid. Such license shall be conspicuously posted on the licensed premises so it can be seen by the public or in such other manner required by the manager. When such license expires it shall be removed. (d) Presentation of license to city officials. It shall be the duty of each and every person to whom a license has been issued to exhibit the same upon the request of any law enforcement officer city inspector, or city investigator. (e) Duplicate license or identification card. When a license or identification card is lost, the department may replace the license or identification card. The replacement fee shall be waived for the first lost license or identification card. Subsequent replacement fees shall be determined by the department. (f) Court appointees. Prior to accepting a court appointment, a court appointee shall certify to the appointing court that they are not prohibited from being issued a license under this chapter or any applicable statutory authority. A court appointee may take any action that a licensee is permitted to take, including, but not limited to, transferring, surrendering, or renewing the license. A license held by a court appointee is subject to the terms of this chapter and any applicable statutory authority, including discipline for any violations committed by the court appointee. The court appointee shall notify the appointing court of any action taken against the license by the department. (Ord. No. 551-23, § 1, 6-5-23; Ord. No. 500-25, § 2, 5-5-25)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 32-9 Transferability.

Sec. 32-9. - Transferability. (a) Unless provided otherwise in this Code or by department rule, no license shall be transferable from one (1) person to another, or from one (1) location or another. (b) Administrative changes to addresses. The department may amend license addresses so long as the physical location of the premises is not changing, and the manager determines such change is necessary for implementation of this Code. (Ord. No. 551-23, § 1, 6-5-23; Ord. No. 1003-25, § 18, 7-28-25)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 32-10 Term of licenses; renewals.

Sec. 32-10. - Term of licenses; renewals. (a) Term of license. Unless provided otherwise, no license shall extend beyond one (1) year from the date of its issuance and shall expire on the date specified on the license. (b) Renewal—when and how to apply. A licensee seeking to renew a license shall submit a renewal application and requisite license fee to the department no more than ninety (90) days prior to the expiration date of the license. (c) Late renewal. A licensee whose license has been expired for not more than ninety (90) days may file a late renewal application upon the payment of the requisite license fee and a penalty fee of twenty (20) percent of the amount of the license fee if the application for renewal is filed less than thirty (30) days after the date upon which the license expires, or the requisite license fee and a penalty fee of fifty (50) percent of the amount of the license fee if the application for renewal is filed more than thirty (30) days after the date upon which the license expired. The manager may waive or adjust any and all of such penalty and additional fee whenever, in the manager's judgment, the delinquency in the prompt receipt of such application and fee is not the fault of the licensee and to collect or require the payment thereof would be an injustice. (d) Restrictions on renewal. Except where the applicant has submitted a complete renewal application and paid the requisite fee, a license that has been expired for more than ninety (90) days shall not be renewed. (e) Cease of operations after expiration. A licensee shall cease operations upon the expiration date of the license. Upon filing a complete application and paying the requisite fee, the licensee may continue operating in compliance with all applicable provisions of this Code and any other applicable statutory authority until final agency action on the renewal. However, the manager may require that operations cease if the license is subject to disciplinary action, pending final agency action on the renewal application, or the licensee has not received any required approvals, inspections, or permits from another agency. (f) Renewal hearing. The manager may, upon the manager's own motion or upon complaint, hold a hearing concerning any application for license renewal if there are grounds for denial or suspension of the license. (g) Standards for denial of renewal application. In addition to any other grounds specified in this Code, the manager may deny a renewal application if: (1) There are causes for denial as provided in 32-11; (2) There are grounds for suspension, revocation or other licensing sanctions as provided in section 32-15; (3) Any fact or condition exists which, if it had existed or had been known to exist at the time of the application for such license, would have warranted the manager in refusing originally to issue such license; or (4) The application fails to comply with any provisions required for by this Code or any other applicable statutory authority. (Ord. No. 551-23, § 1, 6-5-23; Ord. No. 1003-25, § 18, 7-28-25)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 32-11 Causes for denial; hearings; and license conditions.

Sec. 32-11. - Causes for denial; hearings; and license conditions. (a) Causes for denial. No license authorized under this Code shall be issued or renewed if: (1) The issuance of a license to the applicant or licensee would not comply with any applicable state or local law, or any rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto; (2) The applicant or licensee has not paid or is in arrears in any administrative or court fines, assessments, or fees owed the City and County of Denver, including any required application fees, licensing fees, or bond; (3) The proposed licensed premises does not conform to the requirements of the Denver Zoning Code, Former Chapter 59, the Denver Building and Fire Code, the electrical code of the City and County of Denver, the rules and regulations promulgated by the department of public health and environment, or any other state or local law or rule promulgated thereto; (4) The applicant or licensee has an outstanding warrant(s) for their arrest in any jurisdiction; (5) The application contains fraudulent, misrepresented, or false statement(s) of material or relevant fact(s); or (6) The applicant is not of good moral character, has previously operated a similar establishment in an unlawful manner, or has a license history that does not warrant the confidence of the manager that the license will be lawfully operated. (b) Denial appeal procedure. If it shall come to the attention of the manager that one (1) or more of the above grounds exists, the application shall be denied. In the event that the application is denied, the manager shall furnish the applicant a copy of the order and the reasons supporting the denial upon the written request of the applicant. Any applicant whose application has been denied without a hearing shall be entitled to a hearing on his application upon written request to the manager, except as provided in section 32-5. Except as otherwise provided by the specific terms or provisions pertaining to a license, a written request for a hearing must be submitted within ten (10) days of the mailing date of the order of denial. The manager may require the payment of a filing fee which shall accompany the request for an appeal hearing. A request for an appeal hearing without the accompanying fee shall not be accepted. (c) License conditions. The manager may place conditions on a license to ensure that the licensee will operate lawfully or to incorporate the specific and enforceable provisions of a good neighbor agreement. Where possible, the manager may alter specific provisions requested to be placed as conditions on the license, while keeping the intent of the parties to the agreement, to make those provisions legal and enforceable by the department. All such conditions attached to the license shall continue to apply to renewed or transferred licenses until the conditions are removed or modified by the manager. (Ord. No. 551-23, § 1, 6-5-23; Ord. No. 1003-25, § 18, 7-28-25)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 32-12 Unlawful acts.

Sec. 32-12. - Unlawful acts. (a) Failure to comply with license conditions. It shall be unlawful for any licensee, or its agents, servants, independent contractors, or employees, to fail to comply with all conditions printed or attached to the license issued. (b) Failure to comply with license provisions. It shall be unlawful for any licensee, or its agents, servants, independent contractors, or employees, to fail to comply with any licensing provisions applicable to the particular license under state or local law, including the provisions of this article. (c) Failure to post license. It shall be unlawful for any licensee, or its agents, servants, independent contractors, or employees, to fail to post the license as required in section 32-9(c). (d) Posting an invalid or expired license. It shall be unlawful for a licensee to post a license that is suspended, revoked, expired, invalid, or otherwise not in full force and effect. (e) Failure to exhibit license. It shall be unlawful for any licensee, or its agents, servants, independent contractors, or employees, to fail to present the license or identification badge upon the request of any law enforcement officer, city inspector or investigator as required in section 32-9(d). (f) Hindering an investigation. It shall be unlawful for any licensee, or its agents, servants, independent contractors, or employees, to refuse, on any part of the licensed premises, the investigation, visitation, or inspection of the licensed premises by a city inspector or investigator or to hinder the same. (g) Failure to comply with subpoena. It shall be unlawful for any person, except for government officials acting in the course of their duties, to refuse to obey a subpoena issued by the manager. (h) Failure to comply with rules and regulations. It shall be unlawful for any person to violate a rule or regulation adopted by the manager. (Ord. No. 551-23, § 1, 6-5-23; Ord. No. 1003-25, § 18, 7-28-25)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 32-13 Investigations, records, subpoenas, and administrative warrants.

Sec. 32-13. - Investigations, records, subpoenas, and administrative warrants. (a) City access to licensed premises. City inspectors and investigators shall be permitted to have access to licensed premises at all times, in the course of their duties, concerning the enforcement of the Charter, ordinances of the city and rules and regulations promulgated pursuant and thereto. (b) Department records. The manager shall keep a record of all licenses issued, setting forth: the name of every licensee; the place of business licensed, if any; the residence of the licensee or of each of the individual members of the licensee firm, or of each of the directing officers of the licensee corporation; the kind and grade of license issued; the date the license was issued; and the date on which the license expires. (c) Administrative subpoenas. The manager shall have the authority to issue subpoenas to compel the attendance and testimony of witnesses, with or without documentary evidence, at a hearing and compel the production of books and documents necessary for the parties' preparation for a hearing, or to delegate said authority. The department may petition the county court to enforce the subpoena upon non-compliance by the responsive party in the manner identified in the City Charter § 4.2.9. (d) Service of administrative subpoenas. The manager may serve the subpoena by personal service as provided in C.R.C.P.4(e) or by certified mail to the subpoenaed party at the last known address provided to the department. (e) Administrative warrants. The department may seek an administrative warrant from the county court in circumstances in which the department makes a proper showing that: (1) A licensee has refused entry of city inspectors or investigators during business hours or times of apparent activity; (2) A licensee subject to an administrative hold or summary suspension has failed to comply with applicable rules; or (3) A licensee otherwise has acted in a manner demonstrating disregard for this Code or rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto or that threatens the public health, safety, and welfare. (Ord. No. 551-23, § 1, 6-5-23; Ord. No. 1003-25, § 18, 7-28-25)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 32-14 Summary suspension.

Sec. 32-14. - Summary suspension. Where the manager has objective and reasonable grounds to believe and finds, upon a reasonable ascertainment of the underlying facts, that the licensee has been guilty of deliberate and willful violation or that the public health, safety, or welfare imperatively requires emergency action and incorporates the findings in its order, the manager may summarily suspend the license pending proceedings for suspension or revocation which shall be promptly instituted and determined as provided in section 32-15. (Ord. No. 551-23, § 1, 6-5-23; Ord. No. 1003-25, § 18, 7-28-25)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 32-15 Disciplinary actions; sanctions, penalties.

Sec. 32-15. - Disciplinary actions; sanctions, penalties. (a) Disciplinary action—generally. The manager may, on the manager's own motion or upon complaint, and after investigation and a show-cause hearing at which the licensee shall be afforded an opportunity to be heard, impose penalties on any license for any of the following circumstances: (1) Any fact or condition exists which would qualify for the denial of the license; (2) The licensee has failed either to file the required reports or to furnish such information as may be reasonably required by the manager under the authority vested in the manager by the terms of the provisions relating to the specific license; (3) The licensee, either knowingly or without the exercise of due care to prevent the same, has violated any of the conditions required for the license as specified in this Code or rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto; (4) The licensee has failed to maintain the licensed premises in compliance with the requirements of the Denver Building and Fire Code, the electrical code of the City and County of Denver, the Denver Zoning Code, former chapter 59, rules and regulations issued by the department of public health and environment, or any other state or local law; or (5) The licensee, or any of the agents, servants or employees of the licensee, have violated any ordinance of the city or any state or federal law or have permitted such a violation by any other person. (b) Notice. Notice of suspension or revocation, as well as any required notice of a show-cause hearing, shall be given by mailing the same in writing to the licensee at the licensee's last address of record with the manager. (c) Licensee actions. For purposes of suspending or revoking any license, the licensee shall be deemed to have permitted an act or condition if a reasonable licensee would have been aware of the act or condition and taken action to stop the act or eliminate the condition. (d) Actions of licensee employees, agents, and independent contractors. Any act or omission committed by any person that occurs in the course of the person's employment, agency, or contract with the licensee shall be imputed to the licensee for purposes of imposing any suspension, revocation or other sanction on the licensee. This subsection (d) shall equally apply to the acts or omissions committed by independent contractors that occur in the course of the independent contractor's agreement with the licensee. (e) Penalties. In addition to any other penalties prescribed by this Code or other applicable statutory authority, the manager may impose any of the following penalties or combination of such penalties on the license: suspension, revocation, fine, fine in lieu of suspension, or placement of conditions on the license. The manager may also hold penalties in abeyance upon compliance with terms and conditions identified by the manager. (f) Fines and fines in lieu of suspension. Unless provided for otherwise, the manager may assess an administrative fine or fine in lieu of suspension against the licensee not to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) per violation. If the fine is not paid by that date set by the manager, the manager may suspend the license or permit until the fine is paid without a hearing. (g) License conditions as a result of disciplinary action. In addition to, or in the alternative to, any suspension, revocation, or administrative fine imposed for any violation, the manager may impose new or additional terms, requirements, conditions, or limitations on any license or permit issued or under this Code. (h) Restrictions on applications for new license(s). No application for the issuance of any license issued by the department shall be received or acted upon if, within two (2) years preceding the date of the application, the applicant has had a similar license revoked by the manager. For purposes of this section, the term "applicant" shall include any person who was an officer, manager or shareholder holding over ten (10) percent of the stock in any corporate licensee which has had a similar license revoked; any corporation any of whose officers, managers or shareholders holding over ten (10) percent of the stock has had a similar license revoked; or any partnership any of whose partners has had a similar license revoked. (Ord. No. 551-23, § 1, 6-5-23; Ord. No. 1003-25, § 18, 7-28-25)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 32-16 Termination and surrender of license; effect of termination, surrender, or suspension.

Sec. 32-16. - Termination and surrender of license; effect of termination, surrender, or suspension. (a) License surrender. Any licensee may request that their license be surrendered. The manager, in the manager's discretion may approve or deny the surrender request. However, any surrender shall not affect the civil or criminal liability for acts committed prior thereto, nor entitle the licensee to a refund of the license fee for any remaining portion of the license term. (b) Effect of surrender or termination. Upon the expiration, revocation, surrender or other termination of a license, for whatever reason, the license shall be deemed null and void, together with all the privileges associated with it. During the period that a license is suspended, no licensee shall exercise any of the privileges associated with the license. (Ord. No. 551-23, § 1, 6-5-23; Ord. No. 1003-25, § 18, 7-28-25)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 32-17 Injunctions.

Sec. 32-17. - Injunctions. The department may petition the district court for issuance of a preliminary or permanent injunction, or both, as may be appropriate, restraining any person from continued violation of this article or the particular provisions of an applicable licensing code. (Ord. No. 551-23, § 1, 6-5-23)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 32-18 Effect on contracts.

Sec. 32-18. - Effect on contracts. No provision of this chapter nor any provision pertaining to any license shall be construed to affect liability under any contract, the terms and provisions of any contract, or to avoid such contract. (Ord. No. 551-23, § 1, 6-5-23)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 32-19 Rules and regulations.

Sec. 32-19. - Rules and regulations. The manager may make such reasonable rules and regulations as may be necessary for the purpose of administering and enforcing the provisions of this article and any other ordinances or laws relating to and affecting the licensing and operation of businesses and individuals that operate in the city. (Ord. No. 551-23, § 1, 6-5-23; Ord. No. 500-25, § 2, 5-5-25; Ord. No. 1003-25, § 18, 7-28-25)

Source: City and County of Denver, Revised Municipal Code and Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/co/denver/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TITIIREMUCO_CH32LI_ARTIINGEFetched: 10/27/2026