Tobacco Compliance and Enforcement

Review our FAQs regarding the flavored tobacco ban.

For questions, complaints, comments and concerns related to youth access to tobacco products please email us here.

Equitable Enforcement

Equity-informed enforcement of public health policies can help break the cycles of injustice and inequitable health outcomes experienced by impacted communities. Equitable enforcement means equity at all stages, from determining when to undertake an enforcement action - and against whom - to deciding which enforcement tools to use.

Some equitable enforcement best practices currently integrated into Denver’s approach to tobacco prevention, education, and enforcement include the following:

1	All underage sales violations that result in a fine or suspension order are issued to the Retail Tobacco Store business. DDPHE does not take enforcement action against employees.
2	Retail Tobacco Store license renewal applications now include an optional question on “preferred language” with the goal of ensuring that all education and outreach materials are available to our Retail Tobacco Store community.
3	Any significant changes in tobacco policy that impact Retail Tobacco Stores are followed by a grace period of “soft enforcement,” where the goal becomes assisting retailers to bring their businesses into compliance with any new requirements before they are expected to operate under new guidelines or ordinance changes.
4	We recognize there is a diverse landscape of Retail Tobacco Stores in the city and county of Denver with different needs and varied access to resources such as online tobacco retail license applications and renewals. Our Investigators are equipped and available for on-site visits to retail tobacco locations, in addition to virtual walkthroughs for those requiring assistance with the Retail Tobacco Store license application.

Local Tobacco Compliance and Enforcement Program

Denver’s Tobacco Compliance and Enforcement Program is a part of the Department of Public Health & Environment’s Community & Behavioral Health division. The objective of this program is to address the high violation rate of illegal tobacco product sales to persons under twenty-one (21) years of age and to keep these harmful and highly addictive products out of the hands of Denver’s youth. To this end, the Tobacco Administrator monitors Undercover Buy (UB) inspections conducted by Local Tobacco Investigators and Youth Operatives. Together, this field team conducts investigations, responds to resident complaints, issues enforcement orders, and provides outreach and education, both in-person and virtually.

View additional information on Undercover Buy (UB) inspections including a flow chart of the investigations process and thedefined fine schedule (effective March 1, 2022).

FDA Tobacco Compliance Program

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) closely monitors tobacco retailer, manufacturer, importer, and distributor compliance with Federal tobacco laws and regulations and takes corrective action when violations occur.

In many states, the FDA contracts the state health department to conduct compliance measures related to the advertising, labeling, and sale of tobacco and nicotine-containing products. The Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) subcontracts local public health departments, including Denver, to conduct these compliance measures on their behalf.

Find more resources and information on the FDA Center for Tobacco Product's website.

New Retail Tobacco Store (RTS) Resources

The division of Community & Behavioral Health (CBH) works with Denver’s city attorneys’ office to regularly update the Denver Revised Municipal Code in order to ensure the city and county’s tobacco legislation is current with developing technology, trends, and state legislation. On October 1st, 2019, the legal age of sale of tobacco and nicotine-containing products increased from 18 to 21 years of age in the city and county of Denver. Additionally, all tobacco retailers are required to obtain a Denver Retail Tobacco Store License in addition to a Colorado state tobacco license. Below you will find the links to apply for each license. Please note that the Colorado Department of Revenue will not issue the state tobacco license until a Retail Tobacco Store has been issued a Denver tobacco license.

If you are looking to open a Retail Tobacco Store in the City and County of Denver, the physical location of your establishment must not be within 1,000 ft. from a school, city-owned recreation center or city-owned pool.

Existing Retail Tobacco Store (RTS) Resources

If you are an existing tobacco retailer, please subscribe to the Tobacco Information Bulletin for updated information regarding tobacco legislation and implementation. Your email address will not be shared with any third parties.

Looking for signage? Please feel free to print out the signage below or email us at CBHTobaccoProgram@denvergov.org and we will mail signage to your Retail Tobacco Store location.

Tobacco 21 Signage (Counter Card)
Tobacco 21 Signage (Window Cling)
Tobacco warning sign — required by CO law for all Retail Tobacco Stores
Smoking allowed sign (no one under 21 permitted to enter) — required by CO law for all Retail Tobacco Stores that are exempt from the Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act

Retail Tobacco Store (RTS) Resources FAQ

Download the Retail Tobacco Store License FAQ for answers to other frequently asked questions.

You can also contact the tobacco program directly with additional questions at CBHTobaccoProgram@denvergov.org. If you have a question regarding the status of your Retail Tobacco Store License, please contact the Business Licensing Center.

Need help with training?

Learn to be a responsible tobacco retailer and help prevent kids from substance misuse, dependence, disease, and avoidable, premature death. Responsible Tobacco Sales is a 20-minute program that discusses healthy youth habits, federal and state tobacco laws and regulations, and ways to verify and recognize forms of valid identification. This program and its presentation opportunities are open to retail tobacco store owners, operators, staff, and management.

Tobacco Compliance & Enforcement

Pay a tobacco citation

*Please note, If using a credit or debit card online or in-person, a 2.5% service fee will apply.

View the revised fine schedule here(PDF, 196KB)

When does the fine schedule go into effect?

The revised schedule goes into effect April 1, 2025.

What has changed in the revised schedule?

As part of the revision, fines for repeat violations have been increased. Additionally, the revised fine schedule provides greater clarity and consistency in enforcement.

Who enforces the fine schedule?

The Denver Department of Public Health & Environment (DDPHE) is responsible for enforcement of Denver’s tobacco ordinance.

Does this fine schedule apply to flavored tobacco?

Revised fines will be applied to all tobacco-related violations, with the exception of violations related to the sale of flavored tobacco products. Revised fines will apply to flavored tobacco products beginning January 1, 2026.