Food Safety

To make payment for retail food applications, plan reviews, or other services, do one of the following:

• Pay online with credit card. 
• Pay in person with check, credit card or cash at 281 Sawyer Drive, Durango.
• Write the name of the establishment and invoice number on the memo line and mail  a check to: 

If you get sick eating out, contact La Plata County Public Health to file a complaint, or make a written complaint online. The staff will request information detailing the foods consumed, when consumed, when symptoms started, if others are ill with similar symptoms, and a 72-hour meal history.

• Submit a food safety concern

• FDA food-borne illness and contaminants

Guidance Documents and Interpretive Memos for Operators

The food service industry offers a wide variety of occupations ranging from restaurants, school cafeterias, mobile food units, and cottage foods. There are several options for you to consider when improving your food handling skills.

• State Food Safety Class
• The Colorado State University Extension Office also offers courses. For questions or additional information call 970-382-6461 or send them an email.
• ServSafe

Operating

What do I do if I want to operate a restaurant, grocery store, or other food outlet?

All food service establishments selling, serving, and preparing food require a State of Colorado Retail Food Establishment License. La Plata County Public Health staff must inspect all facilities prior to operation. If interested in starting a retail food establishment or retail food market, contact us for assistance at (970)247-5702.

Plans & Specifications

A set of plans and specifications must be submitted to the health department for review and approval before construction begins. Once you have submitted the plan review packet, approval and licensing takes approximately eight weeks. Retail food licenses cannot be purchased until the plan review has been completed and approved by staff.

Plans documents

Purchasing

What do I do if I want to purchase an existing restaurant, grocery store or other food service facility?

If interested in purchasing an existing food service operation, contact us for information regarding previous inspections.

Request a change of ownership inspection; this will provide detailed information outlining any changes or remodeling that may be required to bring the facility into compliance with Colorado State Retail Food Establishment Regulations. Since the regulations were updated in January of 2019, even a restaurant that is currently operating may not meet the new regulations. The owner will be required to bring the facility into compliance.

If you are purchasing an existing establishment, please submit the Change of Ownership Packet before making any equipment or remodeling changes.

• Change of Ownership Packet (PDF)

La Plata County Public Health program staff work with food facilities by providing both consultations and regulatory inspections. Facilities are inspected per the Colorado Retail Food Code. Priority violations are those that are more likely to cause a food-borne illness.

One inspection may not represent the overall, long-term food safety practices of a facility. On any given day, a restaurant may have greater or fewer violations than noted in the most recent regulatory inspection.

Restaurant Inspection Reports

Any retail food establishment may request a variance from any requirement of the Colorado Retail Food Establishment Rules and Regulations when the establishment believes that the requirement results in undue economic hardship or when it is believed that a standard may not apply to the specific situation.

To Request a Variance

Complete the Request for Variance form. Submit the form and attachments to La Plata County Public Health for review. See the variance guidance documents below. For additional information please contact us.

What to include in the Variance Packet:

• Request for Variance Form (PDF)
• Evidence of financial burden (if applicable). Please attach estimates of loss of income and/or cost of compliance.
• Detailed explanation of why the regulation is not applicable to the establishment (if applicable).
• Explanation of how any potential health hazards will be mitigated (including any policies/procedures).
• Description of how implementation will take place (including staff training, acquisition of supplies, etc.).
• Colorado Food Code Regulations on Variances (Page 96, section 3-502.11) (PDF)

To operate a food truck or other mobile unit it is required to obtain a Colorado Retail Food License and comply with the Colorado Retail Food Establishment Rules and Regulations. A review and approval of operations and mobile retail food operation plans is required prior to a license being granted.

A mobile unit serving only hot coffee, espressos, or pre-packaged manufactured food that does not require temperature control do not need a retail food license. Facilities serving shelf stable cream and milk do not need a retail food license.

• Colorado Retail Food Establishment Rules and Regulations
• Food Trucks and Mobile Units Documents.

Per Colorado Food Code §6-501.115, pets are not permitted in retail food establishments. This prohibition does not include service animals, which are always allowed, or to outdoor patios so long as the below stipulations are followed.

Dogs that are not service animals may be allowed in the outdoor patio area of a retail food establishment under the following stipulations:

• Approval for the request must be granted by the local regulatory authority.
• The dog-friendly area must be maintained clean and free of animal waste.
• Dog waste clean-up bags must be available to customers at all times when the outdoor seating area is open for use.
• Receptacles for the disposal of animal waste must be available when the outdoor seating area is open. The receptacles must be emptied at least daily and must be kept in a clean and sanitary condition.
• The dog-friendly outdoor seating area must be accessible from the outdoors. Non-service dogs are not allowed inside the restaurant.
• Staff are not allowed to pet, hold, or feed dogs.
• Employees that have incidental contact with dogs or dog bowls must wash their hands.
• If provided, dog water bowls must be filled, cleaned, and stored in a manner that prevents contamination of food, food equipment, and single-service articles.

• Your dog must be well-behaved and on a leash at all times.
• Keep your dog close to you but not on tables or chairs.
• Do not let your dog eat or drink out of the restaurant's glassware or dishware.
• Clean up after your dog with the provided cleaning supplies.

Food manufacturing and storage include selling prepared packaged food to retailers, re-packaging food and ingredients, and selling products on the internet.

Food that is prepared for human consumption must be made in a licensed and inspected commercial kitchen. Food may not be prepared in a home kitchen for sale to the public. The Colorado Food Manufacturing Regulations must be followed for such a facility. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) regulates wholesale food. For a current list of manufacturers please visit the CDPHE Manufactured Foods website.

The Cottage Foods Act allows limited types of food products that are non-potentially hazardous (do not require refrigeration for safety) to be sold directly to consumers without licensing or inspection. For more information about cottage foods, please visit the La Plata Extension website or contact Nicole Clark at the La Plata County CSU Extension office at phone: 970-382-6461 or via email.

• CDPHE Wholesale Food Information (current list of Approved Source List from CDPHE Manufactured Foods available on this page)
• Colorado Food Manufacturing Regulations
• Colorado Farm to Market Website
• Cottage Foods Act