Denver Grease Trap Requirements & Compliance Guide

Denver Code Requirements for Grease Traps

Denver's Department of Public Health and Environment (DPHE) and the Denver Wastewater Management Division enforce grease trap and interceptor standards under Denver Revised Code (DRC) Chapter 49. All food service establishments producing grease or oil must install and maintain properly sized grease interceptors before discharging to the city's sanitary sewer system. The Colorado Plumbing Code, adopted in Denver, specifies sizing requirements based on fixture drain load and meal preparation volume. Failure to maintain adequate grease trap capacity can result in citations, fines up to $5,000, and mandatory system upgrades.

Maintenance & Pumping Frequency Requirements

Denver typically requires grease traps to be pumped when they reach 25% capacity, and no less frequently than quarterly for most food service establishments (more often for high-volume kitchens). The City requires documentation of all grease trap maintenance, with records retained for inspection. Licensed Denver waste haulers must dispose of collected grease at approved facilities; operators cannot dump grease into storm drains or regular trash. Health inspectors verify pumping logs during routine and follow-up inspections, and lack of documentation can result in immediate violations.

Denver Inspections & Enforcement Actions

Denver's Environmental Health Division conducts routine food service inspections that include grease trap assessments. Inspectors check system integrity, verify maintenance records, confirm proper signage, and assess for grease accumulation in visible trap areas. Priority violations—such as a completely full grease trap or missing trap—trigger immediate corrective action orders and potential closure. Operators can request pre-opening inspections and guidance from the city's Environmental Health team to ensure compliance before regulatory action.

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