Genuine Denver Taco Trucks

There aren't any! At least not what we think of as taco trucks. There are very few of them, they are called "loncheras" (roughly, "lunch wagons") and they can only operate in one location for 4 hours-- which probably explains why there are so few of them. In fact, the city has issued 47 licenses, but there is no way to know how many or few of them are active.

In practice, loncheras can stay in one place for an extra two hours as long as they are not actually operating for more than four. As City Council President Rosemary Rodriquez explained it: "They basically get six hours now because they get an hour to set up and an hour to tear down as a courtesy from the cops."

The loncheras are allowed to operate a maximum of 13 hours in a day, between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m., which would require them to move at least twice.

Denver's City Council is considering a controversial extension of lonchera operating hours to six hours in one location. There is a lot of resistance from neighborhood groups who fear increased "noise and trash." And, after all, it was only four years ago that the loncheras gained an increase from two hours to four!

Loncheras are also prohibited from setting up within 100 yards of a restaurant.

In contrast, other mobile food vendors such as hot dog stands are allowed to operate in one spot for up to twelve hours.

If this situation sounds a bit bizarre, it is less so for us locals who have at least a rudimentary knowledge of local geography, politics, and Denver city government. Other city and county governments in the area certainly have their faults, but at least they leave the taco trucks alone.

The photo below is from the Denver Post-- front page on August 10th. If you want to read the whole story (and there is quite a bit more) click here.