How Denver Handles Soliciting & Door-to-Door: A Practical Guide
Denver maintains 158 local ordinances across all categories, and 2 of those deal specifically with soliciting & door-to-door. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Denver falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.
Solicitor Permits
Denver requires anyone who peddles goods, merchandise, or services door-to-door or at public events to hold an individual peddler's license from the Department of Excise and Licenses, with narrow exemptions for government bodies, accredited schools, and 501(c) charities.
Key details: License required: Peddler's license, director of excise & licenses. Door-to-door hours: Sunset+30 min to 8:00 a.m.. Exempt: Govt agencies, schools, 501(c) charities. ID required: Photo license card worn visibly. Penalty: License denial, suspension, or revocation.
Peddling without a license, soliciting after sunset+30 minutes or before 8:00 a.m., ignoring no-solicitation signs, or refusing to leave when told is a code violation; the director can deny, suspend, or revoke licenses for fraud or disqualifying convictions.
Compared to other cities, Denver takes a harder line on solicitor permits. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.
No-Knock Registry
Denver bans door-to-door peddling between a half hour after sunset and 8 a.m., and peddlers must leave immediately and honor any posted no-soliciting sign or verbal refusal at a home.
Key details: Door-to-door curfew: half hour after sunset to 8 a.m.. No-soliciting sign: must be obeyed, no exceptions. Told to leave: must leave peacefully, immediately. Enforcing agency: Dept. of Excise and Licenses. Applies to: licensed peddlers and exempt orgs.
Violating Sec. 47-18 is grounds for the Department of Excise and Licenses to deny, suspend, or revoke a peddler's license, on top of standard code-violation penalties.
The Bottom Line
Denver's soliciting & door-to-door rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Denver is broadly strict or permissive.
This guide is based on Denver's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.