Mobile Food Vendors (Food Trucks)

What is a Mobile Food Vendor?

A mobile food vendor is a retail food establishment that is not intended to be permanent and is a motorized wheeled vehicle or trailer attached to a motor vehicle. The vehicle or trailer must be designed and equipped to serve food and beverages. The sale and distribution of frozen milk, frozen dairy or ice confection products, candy, gum or other confection products shall be permitted for mobile food vendors.

There is a difference between a mobile vendor and a mobile food vendor. This page only pertains to regulations and policies for mobile food vendors. If you have specific questions related to mobile vendors, please contact the Community & Economic Development Department at City Hall at (970) 560-3402.

Temporary buildings for the purpose of mobile vending are not allowed in the City of Cortez.

What do I need to do to become a mobile food vendor?

City of Cortez Sales Tax License. Please visit https://www.cortezco.gov/131/Taxes to learn more and apply for a Sales Tax License.
Proof of inspection from the Montezuma County Health Department. Please visit https://montezumacounty.org/public-health/environmental-health/ to learn more.
If you are cooking food: Proof of current annual inspection conducted by the City of Cortez Fire Inspector. To learn more visit https://www.cortezco.gov/194/Fire-Inspection-Services, or call (970) 564-4071 to request an inspection.

When can I operate?

Mobile food vendors may operate only between the hours of 7 am – 9 pm. The mobile food vendor operation and equipment must be removed from the location when not open for business.

Where can I operate?

Mobile food vendors can operate within the public right-of-way (along a city street, for example) provided they meet the following requirements:

Be parked in a legal parking space and comply with all City and State parking restrictions.
Serve customers from an adjacent sidewalk or curbside of the vehicle.
All trash or debris accumulated within 25 feet of the vehicle shall be collected by the operator and disposed of according to City & State law.

Mobile food vendors cannot operate within the Central Business District (CBD) unless they are part of a city-approved special event or have obtained a Conditional Use Permit through a formal review process.

Operating on Private Property

A mobile food vendor may operate on private property so long as they comply with the above provisions as well as all other City regulations regarding land use. If you are interested in operating a mobile food truck on private property, please contact the Community and Economic Development Department for more information.

Operating within City Parks/Parking Lots

Mobile food vendors are not permitted to vend on City owned property including parks, parking lots, and athletic fields, without written permission by the City Manager or his designee. Please contact the Parks & Recreation Department if you are interested in vending at City events such as the 4th of July or the Balloon Festival.

Please complete the mobile vending interest form if you are interested in vending at a City event.

Community & Economic Development Department

(General mobile vendor questions, city-wide)

Phone: (970) 565-3402
Email: hwest@cortezco.gov
Address: Cortez City Hall, 123 Roger Smith Avenue

Parks & Recreation Department

(Mobile vendor questions for City events such as 4th of July)

Phone: (970) 564-4080
Email: ahager@cortezco.gov
Address: 425 Roger Smith Avenue

Article IX, Section 15.66 - 15.68 in the City of Cortez Land Use Code pertains to Mobile Food Vendors.

Other Resources for Mobile Food Vendors
You may also want to visit https://www.cortezco.gov/891/Starting-a-Business to learn more about Starting a Business in the City of Cortez and other resources available for small business.
Connect with Cortez Retail Enhancement Association.