Food Establishment Plan Review in Colorado Springs, Colorado (2026)
Your kitchen build-out is stalled and you can’t get a construction permit until the city health department signs off on your blueprints. This Food Establishment Plan Review is a mandatory submission to the Colorado Springs Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) to ensure your design meets all health and safety codes before construction begins, also called a plan pre-approval.
- 590 fields — ApronPrep auto-fills 490
- $0–$0 government filing fees*
- Varies processing timeline
Most applicants complete this in under 15 minutes with ApronPrep, which auto-fills 490 of 590 fields.
Analyzed from Food Establishment Plan Review
83% from one compliance interview
Manual entry or document upload required
Why You Need a Food Establishment Plan Review
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) requires the Food Establishment Plan Review as a mandatory pre-construction checkpoint under the Colorado Retail Food Establishment Rules and Regulations (6 CCR 1010-2). In Colorado Springs, this rule is locally enforced by the El Paso County Public Health (EPCPH) department. The review process ensures your proposed kitchen layout, equipment specifications, and plumbing/ventilation plans meet state sanitary code requirements before you invest in construction or renovation. Without this formal approval, your build-out will not pass the final inspection required to receive your operating permit, legally freezing your opening timeline.
If you operate without completing this review or fail to build according to approved plans, the El Paso County Public Health department can enforce several immediate consequences. Based on their enforcement protocols, common penalties include:
- Daily administrative fines for operating without a permit, with amounts escalating for repeat violations.
- Cease-and-desist orders halting all construction or, for an operating facility, an immediate suspension of your food service permit.
- Required demolition and rework of non-compliant installations at your expense, as documented in local enforcement cases.
- Voided lease compliance if your space is deemed unfit for food service, and potential denial of claims by business insurance for unpermitted work.
Legal code: State food code (locally administered), local health regulations, state sanitary code
Recent update: As of 2026, El Paso County Public Health has implemented a revised digital submission portal for plan reviews, consolidating what was previously a multi-department process into a single online application managed by their Environmental Health Division.
Who Needs a Food Establishment Plan Review?
| Type | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant (Full-Service) | Required | Required under Colorado Springs Municipal Code § 6.1.101 for any new construction or extensive remodeling where food is prepared for on-site consumption. |
| Bar / Nightclub | Required | Required if the facility includes any food preparation, even for simple snacks, as per the Colorado Revised Statutes definition of a 'retail food establishment'. |
| Food Truck | Required | Required for the mobile unit itself; this review ensures the commissary kitchen design and plumbing plans meet Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment standards. |
| Coffee Shop / Café | Required | Required because the preparation of food items (like pastries or sandwiches) classifies it as a food establishment under city code, triggering the plan review. |
See which restaurant types need this requirement — and which don't.
See Full Requirements →Field-by-Field Guide (590 Fields)
490 of 590 auto-filledApplication and plan review fee payment confirmation
textEnter 'PAID' or the confirmation/receipt number after submitting the $193 total government filing fee ($100 application + $93 minimum review fee) to the El Paso County Health Department.
COMMON MISTAKE: Leaving this field blank or writing the fee amount instead of a payment confirmation, which results in an incomplete submission.
Scope of work description submission
textProvide a 1-2 paragraph summary of all planned construction, renovations, or operational changes, such as 'removing a wall to expand the kitchen, installing a new 3-compartment sink, and adding a walk-in cooler.'
COMMON MISTAKE: Submitting vague descriptions like 'kitchen remodel' or failing to mention changes to plumbing, electrical, or equipment layout, which triggers a request for more information.
Complete menu submission (all meal periods and special services)
textAttach all proposed menus as PDFs or list the document names here, covering every service (breakfast, lunch, dinner) and any catering, banquet, or seasonal offerings.
COMMON MISTAKE: Submitting only a sample menu or omitting special service menus, which prevents reviewers from properly assessing food safety risks and required equipment.
Architectural drawings and schedules submission
textEnter the file names or reference numbers for your submitted scaled floor plans, including equipment layout, plumbing riser diagrams, finish schedules, and all construction details.
COMMON MISTAKE: Submitting hand-drawn sketches, missing plumbing/electrical details, or using an incorrect scale (must be 1/4" = 1'-0" minimum), causing an automatic rejection for non-compliance with El Paso County submission standards.
Equipment specification sheets submission
textList the make, model, and NSF/ANSI certification numbers for all proposed equipment (e.g., Rational iCombi Pro, Hobart AM-14 dishwasher) or attach the manufacturer's cut sheets.
COMMON MISTAKE: Omitting specification sheets for non-cooking items like prep tables, sinks, or refrigerators, or listing equipment not NSF/ANSI certified, which fails the plan review.
Food Protection Manager Certification status
textEnter the name and ANSI-accredited certification number (e.g., 'ServSafe #123456') of your certified manager, or state 'Certification to be obtained prior to opening'.
COMMON MISTAKE: Leaving blank or writing 'TBD' without the required commitment to obtain certification, which delays the license issuance.
Vomiting and diarrheal event cleanup procedures submission
textWrite 'See attached Clean-Up Plan' or briefly summarize the procedures for isolating the area, using approved disinfectants, and proper disposal of contaminated materials.
COMMON MISTAKE: Stating 'follow standard procedures' without a specific, written plan, which is required by the Colorado Retail Food Establishment Rules.
Employee illness policy information
textNote that written procedures are not mandatory but describe how you will inform staff of reporting requirements for symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, or jaundice.
COMMON MISTAKE: Submitting a lengthy, formal policy when only a basic acknowledgment of the regulatory requirement is needed, complicating the review unnecessarily.
Completed Plan Review Packet submission
textMark this field with 'INCLUDED' or 'ATTACHED' to confirm the entire 5-page Plan Review Packet (the form containing these fields) is filled out and submitted.
COMMON MISTAKE: Attaching the packet but leaving this field blank, leading reviewers to assume the core application document is missing.
Completed Retail Food Establishment License Application submission
textEnter 'SUBMITTED' to confirm the separate, full Retail Food Establishment License Application form has been completed and is included with this packet.
COMMON MISTAKE: Confusing this with the Plan Review Packet itself; both are separate required forms, and omitting the License Application halts the entire process.
ApronPrep auto-fills 490 of 590 fields from a single compliance interview — no re-typing, no guessing what the government expects.
Top 5 Food Establishment Plan Review Mistakes
1. Submitting Incomplete or Unsealed Floor Plans
Missing equipment callouts, plumbing diagrams, or architect/designer stamps cause immediate rejection. The El Paso County Public Health (EPCPH) plan review checklist specifies all required plan elements. An unsealed plan from a non-licensed designer adds a mandatory 10-day review delay while you get it re-drawn. Always use the official EPCPH plan review packet as your guide.
2. Incorrectly Calculating Occupancy Load and Restroom Fixtures
Using generic square-foot rules instead of the specific formulas in the Colorado Building Code (CBC) and International Plumbing Code (IPC) adopted by Colorado Springs. For example, a 1,500 sq ft restaurant with tables requires a different calculation than one with counter service. Miscalculation leads to a correction notice, requiring revised plans and resubmission, adding 2–3 weeks to your timeline.
3. Listing Equipment Without Make/Model Numbers or NSF Certification
Saying '3-compartment sink' instead of 'Model XYZ, NSF/ANSI 2 certified' is insufficient. EPCPH reviewers must verify all food contact surfaces meet sanitation standards. Applications with vague equipment descriptions are placed on hold until compliant spec sheets are provided. Pull specification sheets from your supplier before filling out the equipment schedule.
Skip the Paperwork on Your Food Establishment Plan Review
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Food Establishment Plan Review by City in Colorado
| City | Fee Range | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Aurora | $155 plan review fee | |
| Colorado Springs | ||
| Denver |
Timeline: Varies (typically 4-10 weeks from application to approval)
Contact El Paso County Public Health to obtain license application
Download the 'Food Establishment Plan Review Application' packet from the El Paso County Public Health website's Environmental Health Division page. You will need the facility's proposed address ready, as the application is specific to the location. Applicants often lose a week by calling or visiting in person; the online portal has the most current forms and checklist.
Prepare facility plan and gather required documentation
Create detailed facility floor plans showing equipment layout, plumbing schematics, and ventilation. Simultaneously, gather your Colorado Sales Tax License, business registration, and a proposed menu. Incomplete plans, especially missing handwashing sink details or equipment cut sheets, are the top cause of rejection and add a 2-3 week delay for re-submission.
Submit completed application with all required documents to El Paso County Public Health
Submit your full packet, including the application form, plans, and all supporting documents, via email to the Environmental Health Division or in person at their office. You must include payment for the plan review fee. Applications submitted after 2 PM or without a complete checklist are often date-stamped for the next business day, delaying the start of the review.
Where to Apply
Applications are handled by your local board of health in each city. Select your city below for authority details, fees, and processing timeline.
Other Requirements You'll Need
This is one of 13 requirements for opening a restaurant in Colorado.
ADA Compliance Self-Certification
federal
Alarm System Permit/Registration
local
Application for Employer Identification Number
federal
Articles of Organization (LLC) or Articles of Incorporation (Corporation)
state
See all co-required forms and how they connect to your compliance dossier.
See All RequirementsThe review timeline varies depending on project complexity and the department’s current workload. For a standard review with complete documentation, you can expect an initial response within 4-6 weeks, as noted on the city's application guide. More complex designs or incomplete applications can add significant delays, so completing forms like the required Building Permit accurately is critical to avoid restarting the clock.
There is no separate government filing fee for the plan review submission itself, according to the Colorado Springs Planning & Community Development Department. However, you will need to pay for required plan reviews, permits, and inspections that follow approval, such as fees for the Certificate of Occupancy. Not legal advice — verify current fee structures with the Colorado Springs Planning & Community Development Department.
No, plan review approval is specific to the submitted location, building, and layout. A change in location requires a completely new application package, as each site’s plumbing, electrical, and structural conditions are unique. You must initiate a new review process with updated plans for the new address, per the department's regulations.
You do not renew a plan review — it is a one-time approval for your initial construction or remodel plans. Ongoing operational compliance is maintained through your annual Food Service License, which is a separate requirement. Any significant renovation or change in your kitchen layout would trigger the need for a new plan review.
The inspection verifies that the construction matches the approved plans, focusing on critical health and safety systems. An inspector will check plumbing, ventilation, equipment placement, and floor finishes against your submitted documents. Passing this inspection is a prerequisite for obtaining your final Certificate of Occupancy and your operational Food Service License, as outlined in the city's inspection protocols.
About This Data
This guide is generated from ApronPrep's compliance dossier system, which uses 53 parallel AI authority experts to discover requirements, then downloads actual forms and generates field-level intelligence for each one.
For Colorado specifically, we have analyzed compliance dossiers for 3 cities (Aurora, Colorado Springs, Denver), generating Rich FILs (Form Intelligence Layers) with 590 form fields analyzed for this requirement. Fee data is sourced from actual county department fee schedules, not estimates.
Our data is verified against official government sources and updated when regulatory changes are detected. If you find an error, please report it — accuracy is our core commitment.
Sources
- State food code (locally administered), local health regulations, state sanitary code
- Aurora — Board of Health / Health Department
- Colorado Springs — Board of Health / Health Department
- Denver — Board of Health / Health Department
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