· 8 min read · StreetLegal Team
Denver Commissary Kitchen Guide: Real Options and 2026 Pricing
Updated July 16, 2026
Denver has one of the highest concentrations of food trucks per capita in the country, and DDPHE enforces its commissary requirement closely as part of that system. Here's what the city actually requires, real Denver-area options to research, sourced cost ranges, and what to check before you sign.
Denver DDPHE commissary requirements
The Denver Department of Public Health and Environment (DDPHE) requires every mobile food truck to have a signed commissary agreement before it will issue a Mobile Retail Food Establishment (MRFE) license. Denver defines a commissary as a DDPHE-approved facility where food, containers, or supplies are kept, handled, prepared, packaged, or stored in compliance with applicable regulations — a residential kitchen does not qualify. An Affidavit of Commissary must be submitted as part of the mobile plan review and again annually at license renewal, confirming both the operator and the commissary are accountable for proper, approved use of the facility. By default, Denver requires trucks to physically report to their commissary every operating day for servicing, restocking, and waste disposal. Trucks that are fully self-contained — with an onboard mop sink, food prep sink, three-compartment sink, adequate cooking equipment, and sufficient storage — can request an exception to daily reporting, but that determination is entirely at DDPHE's discretion.
Denver-area options to research
Start with facilities that publicly identify as Denver-area food-truck commissaries, then confirm current DDPHE acceptance before paying a deposit.
| Option | Public details checked | Questions to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Denver Commissary | Fully licensed industrial commercial kitchen built specifically for food trucks, near downtown Denver at 3600 E. 40th Ave. Offers secure onsite truck parking, walk-in refrigerators/freezers, dry storage, and a truck washing station. Food Truck package starts at $675/month. | Exact monthly cost for your storage/parking needs, access hours, DDPHE acceptance confirmation. |
| Kitchen Network Commissary | Publicly described as Denver's longest-running shared kitchen, with 11 private commercial kitchens across a 12,000 sq ft facility. | Monthly quote, prep-hour access, storage options, truck parking availability. |
| First Avenue Commissary Kitchen | Markets itself on affordable Denver commercial kitchen rentals with food truck storage and 24-hour access. | Rate structure, storage terms, delivery-app address rules. |
| Mile High Commissary | Family-owned, established 2008, open 24/7 with two kitchen areas for rent. | Monthly cost, kitchen availability, parking and storage terms. |
What it costs
Denver Commissary publishes a Food Truck package starting at $675/month, which includes secure truck parking, kitchen use, and access to dry, refrigerated, and frozen storage. Expect quotes from other Denver-area facilities to land in a broadly similar range, with the exact number shifting based on storage volume, parking availability, and whether you need 24-hour access versus scheduled hours. Because Denver's food truck scene is dense and commissary space competes with catering companies and other mobile vendors for the same facilities, start the search early and get a written quote rather than assuming availability will be there close to your target launch date.
Delivery-app address issues
If your truck moves between neighborhoods, breweries, and event bookings around Denver, your commissary address may be the only stable licensing and pickup address on your paperwork. As covered in our commissary and delivery-app guide, Uber Eats specifically requires the address on your business license and health permit to match your delivery-app listing, so most Denver operators end up using their commissary address for that listing. Don't assume every commissary permits this automatically — ask whether delivery couriers may pick up there, whether staging and signage are allowed, and whether the kitchen's health permit and your MRFE license are consistent enough to pass an application review.
Signing checklist
- Current DDPHE-approved facility license and confirmed acceptance for mobile food unit commissary use.
- Signed commissary agreement, ready to attach to your Affidavit of Commissary.
- Understanding of daily reporting requirements (and whether your truck could qualify for an exception).
- Potable water and wastewater disposal access.
- Cleaning and sanitizing facilities for equipment and food-contact surfaces.
- Cold, frozen, dry, and single-service storage details.
- Overnight vehicle parking or storage rules.
- Delivery-app address and courier pickup permission.
Sources checked
- Denver New Mobile Retail Food Establishment packet
- Denver Mobile Retail Food Truck, Trailer and Cart Guide
- Denver Food Truck Association: permits and licenses
- Denver Commissary
- The Food Corridor: Denver's Top 10 Shared Kitchens
- The Kitchen Door: food-truck-friendly kitchens in Denver
- StreetLegal Denver food truck permit guide
Frequently asked questions
Do Denver food trucks need a commissary kitchen?
Yes, DDPHE requires a signed commissary agreement and Affidavit of Commissary before issuing an MRFE license.
How much should I budget for a Denver commissary?
Denver Commissary's food truck package starts at $675/month; other facilities quote in a broadly similar range depending on storage and access.
Keep the paperwork side as organized as the sales side.
StreetLegal helps food truck operators track permits, commissary agreements, renewals, inspections, and operating documents so growth work does not turn into compliance cleanup later.
Answers to the most common permit questions — costs, timelines, commissary rules, and more.
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