Tobacco Compliance and Enforcement

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). 

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. 

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.

• Apply for the Retail Tobacco Store License in Denver
• Apply for the Retail Tobacco Store License in Colorado

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.

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

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.

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.