Denver at 25 to 35: Service Fees, Tips and What's Actually on the Bill

You've probably squinted at a Denver receipt and found a line item you didn't order. That's a service fee, and they're still legal here.

The rules got a little stricter, though. Here's what's confirmed, what isn't, and how to handle it at the table.

The short version

Colorado law HB25-1090 still lets food and beverage businesses charge mandatory service fees, but the fee has to be clearly disclosed, including how it's used. That's according to the Colorado Restaurant Association's summary (checked 2026-11-10).

The disclosure has to be easy to notice and understand. That applies to a bar sign, a register sign or the menu, and to any way you place an order. The association tells restaurants to show the amount somewhere obvious, like menus, receipts or a sign at the register. Its sample wording describes an establishment adding a 20% service fee, so 20% is one example of what you might see.

What we couldn't confirm: the official bill text, its exact effective date, any Denver-specific rule, and whether service fees count as tips or how they're split with staff. So don't assume a fee goes to your server.

What people actually do

Read the menu footer or the receipt before signing. If a fee is listed and the disclosure explains it, some people tip less on top, some tip their usual amount anyway, and some just ask the server where the fee goes. Asking is normal and nobody should be weird about it.

If there's no fee, tip like you would anywhere. If a fee shows up that you never saw disclosed, that's worth a polite question to a manager, since the law says it has to be obvious.

Plan for cash at a few places too. Sushi Den in Platt Park is tagged cash-only in our directory (4.7 stars from 5229 reviews as of 2026-05-02), so hit an ATM before omakase. SPICE ROOM on Colfax is tagged cash-friendly (4.9 stars from 4370 reviews as of 2026-05-02), which makes leaving a cash tip easy.

The practical stuff

• Check before you order. Look at the menu bottom or a sign by the register. That's where the disclosure should be.
• Read the receipt line by line. Fees and suggested tip amounts sometimes sit right next to each other.
• Ask where the fee goes. We couldn't confirm the rules on splitting it with staff, so the restaurant is your best source.
• Split checks early. With a group at a place like Happy Camper Pizza in Highland (4.7 stars from 6916 reviews as of 2026-05-02), sort it out before the card machine comes around.
• Date night math. At Angelo's Taverna in Capitol Hill (4.6 stars from 3662 reviews as of 2026-05-02), tagged date-night and wine-bar, wine adds up fast, and so does a percentage fee on top of it.
• Skip the parking tab. If you're drinking, RTD is one less charge to think about.

More ideas for nights out are on the events calendar and in the guides.