How often do grease traps have to be pumped in Denver, CO?

Pump before grease + solids reach 25% of depth/capacity. Source: the official program source, checked 2026-10-17. Rules change; confirm with the local sewer authority.

Do restaurants in Denver need a grease trap permit?

Permit required, per the official source checked 2026-10-17.

States / Colorado / Denver

Denver, CO grease trap & interceptor requirements

Quoted from official source Last checked 2026-10-17. Report an error / rule changed

Quick answer

How often to pump: Before grease + solids reach 25% of depth/capacity
Interceptor minimum / sizing: not stated in the sources we checked
Permit / fees: Permit required

From the official source(s) below, last checked 2026-10-17. Rules change; verify with your city.

Rules change; verify with your city. Summaries are plain-English restatements of the official source linked below; “Source says” shows the exact wording. Blank rows mean the sources we checked did not state that rule, not that there is no rule.

Required trap / interceptor type	Source says: “Permits are required for a new, modified, abandoned, reused, or reconstructed grease interceptor.”
Sizing rule	Source says: “MINIMUM GRAVITY GREASE INTERCEPTOR SIZE: For all gravity grease interceptor sizing methods, a 750-gallon two compartment gravity grease interceptor is the accepted minimum liquid capacity allowed to be installed.”
Pumping / cleaning frequency	Pump before grease + solids reach 25% of depth/capacity. Source says “Gravity grease interceptors should be pumped and cleaned before the FOG and solids level reach 25% of the total liquid capacity of the interceptor. ii.”
Permit required?	A permit is required (see source wording). Source says “Grease interceptor designs must be included in the restaurant’s building permit application documents for review of the grease interceptor’s compliance with City and County of Denver criteria.”
Permit & program fees	Not stated in the sources we checked
Inspections	Grease traps/interceptors are subject to inspection. Source says “The grease interceptor shall be accessible and may be inspected on a periodic basis by WMD.”
Record keeping	Not stated in the sources we checked
Pumper / hauler approval	Not stated in the sources we checked
Reporting portal	Not stated in the sources we checked
Fines & penalties	Not stated in the sources we checked
Program contact	Not stated in the sources we checked

Sources

https://denvergov.org/files/assets/public/v/1/doti/documents/permits/sudp/grease-interceptor-sizing-criteria-2026.pdf · checked 2026-10-17

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Use the grease interceptor sizing calculator (UPC, IPC and PDI methods), then confirm Denver's own minimums above. Not sure how often to pump? Read how often to pump a grease trap.

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