Health Inspection Information

The inspection history for the business you selected is displayed below. Each inspection may have zero or more violations. A health inspection report is a "snapshot" of the day and time of the inspection. On any given day, an establishment could have more or fewer violations than noted here. Inspections are based on regulations to eliminate risk factors for illness or injury. Every violation is coded indicating the degree of risk in causing an illness or injury.

  • Critical, Major, or Foodborne Illness Risk Factor Violations: These violations are more likely than other violations to contribute to illness or injury. Inspectors work with operators to make sure that these violations are corrected whenever feasible before they leave the establishment. A re-inspection may be scheduled to verify compliance.
  • Non-Critical, Minor or Good Retail Practice Violations: These violations are not directly related to the cause of illness or injury, but if uncorrected, could negatively affect the operation of the facility, such as maintenance and cleanliness.

Please Note: Tri-County converted to a new database in July 2013. Any inspections listed prior to July 2013 only display the date and type of inspection, but not the inspector comments because of the database conversion. For inspection reports prior to July 2013 please submit a written request to EHInspections@tchd.org.


Facility Details
Program Food
Facility Name La Cueva
Business Name La Cueva
Address 9742 E Colfax Ave
Aurora, CO 80010-5011
Phone 303-367-1422

Inspection Details
06/18/2019 Inspection, Routine
10 - Foodborne Illness Risk Factors
Adequate handwashing sinks properly supplied and accessible
Inspector Comments: Hand towels were not available at the hand sink to the left of the food preparation sink. Corrective action: hand towels were provided to the sink.(Pf) Hand washing signage was absent at this facility.(Core)
38 - Good Retail Practices
Insects, rodents, & animals not present
Inspector Comments: Rodent droppings were present underneath the food preparation sink in the kitchen.(Core)
41 - Good Retail Practices
Wiping Cloths; properly used & stored
Inspector Comments: Several soiled wiping cloths were being stored on food preparation tables on the kitchen cook line.(Core)
47 - Good Retail Practices
Food & non-food contact surfaces cleanable, properly designed, constructed, & used
Inspector Comments: The blade on the table mounted can opener in the kitchen was worn and soiled with food debris.(Core)
09/13/2018 Inspection, Follow-Up
09/04/2018 Inspection, Critical Item
01b - Critical
Food Source: Wholesome, free of spoilage
Inspector Comments: A large container of red enchilada sauce was adulterated with mold in the walk in refrigerator. Corrective action: red enchilada sauce was corrected by discarding (see voluntary condemnation).
02e - Critical
Personnel: Smoking, eating, drinking
Inspector Comments: An approved employee beverage was observed on the food preparation table. An approved employee beverage was observed next to clean cutting boards on the shelf beneath the food preparation table. Corrective action: approved employee beverages were moved to an approved location.
03c - Critical, Food Borne Illness Risk
Food Temperature Control: Hot hold at 135°f or greater
Inspector Comments: Two chile rellenos measured 123° F inside the cook line salamander. Corrective action: kitchen employee chose discarded the chile rellenos.
04b - Critical
Sanitation: Mechanical
Inspector Comments: Mechanical dish washer measured less than 50 ppm chlorine residual upon inspection. Corrective action: re-inspection required.
06b - Critical, Food Borne Illness Risk
Hand Washing: Accessible
Inspector Comments: A large trash can was blocking the hand sink adjacent to the four compartment ware washing sink. Corrective action: discussed proper hand sink accessibility with kitchen employee.
08a - Critical
Poisonous Or Toxic Items: Properly stored
Inspector Comments: Chafing fuel was stored next to clean dishes and above spices on the back dry storage area. Corrective action: re-inspection required.
03/15/2018 Inspection, Follow-Up
02d - Critical, Food Borne Illness Risk
Personnel: Hygienic practices
Inspector Comments: A glass was stored in the basin of the left hand sink located behind the large, front bar. Corrected during inspection by removing the glass from the hand sink basin and placing it in the dump sink.
03/06/2018 Inspection, Routine
01c - Critical, Food Borne Illness Risk
Food Source: Cross-contamination
Inspector Comments: A container of raw chicken was stored above a container of shredded lettuce in the walk in refrigerator. Corrected during inspection by a kitchen employee moving the container of raw chicken to the shelf beneath the shredded lettuce.
02e - Critical
Personnel: Smoking, eating, drinking
Inspector Comments: Two employee beverages were stored on a shelf above the food preparation sink. Corrected during the inspection by a kitchen employee discarding the beverages.
03c - Critical, Food Borne Illness Risk
Food Temperature Control: Hot hold at 135°f or greater
Inspector Comments: Numerous cooked chile rellenos measured between 101°F - 108°F in the broiler located above the cook line. Re-inspection needed.
05b - Critical
Water, Sewage, Plumbing Systems: Hot and cold water under pressure
Inspector Comments: The left dump sink located behind the large bar did not have cold water upon inspection. Re-inspection needed.
06c - Critical, Food Borne Illness Risk
Hand Washing: Soap and drying devices
Inspector Comments: Hand soap was missing from the hand sink located behind the small bar. Disposable paper towels were missing from the hand sink adjacent to the food preparation sink. Re-inspection needed.
08a - Critical
Poisonous Or Toxic Items: Properly stored
Inspector Comments: A spray bottle of degreaser was stored next to containers of fryer oil on the bottom shelf below the hot holding flat top. Corrected during inspection by a kitchen employee relocating the spray bottle of degreaser to the chemical closet.
09b - Non-Critical
Food Labeling, Food Protection: Food protected from contamination
Inspector Comments: Numerous stacks of dishes were stored with their food contact surfaces facing upwards on the shelves above the hot holding table adjacent to the cook line. A bucket of beans were stored on the ground of the back dry storage area.
12a - Non-Critical
Cleaning Of Equipment & Utensils: Food-contact surfaces
Inspector Comments: The left soda nozzle located behind the large bar was soiled with a "slime" like substance.
13a - Non-Critical
Utensils, Single-Service Articles: Utensils provided, used, stored
Inspector Comments: A scoop handle was observed in contact with rice in the bulk rice bin located in the back dry storage area. A scoop handle was observed in contact with oats in the bulk oat bin in the back dry storage room of the facility.
14a - Non-Critical
Physical Facilities: Plumbing: installed, maintained
Inspector Comments: The drain pipe beneath the food preparation sink was leaking. The caulking located at the hand sink adjacent to the food preparation sink was missing. The faucet at the right dump sink located in the large bar was leaking.
14b - Non-Critical
Physical Facilities: Garbage and refuse
Inspector Comments: The dumpster plug was observed missing upon inspection.
14d - Non-Critical
Physical Facilities: Lighting
Inspector Comments: Four light bulbs in the back dry storage area were non-functional. The light bulb located in the single door reach-in "cold beer" refrigerator was non-functional.
03/10/2017 Inspection, Routine
02d - Critical, Food Borne Illness Risk
Personnel: Hygienic practices
Inspector Comments: An employee was observed dumping ice water into the kitchen hand sink.
03c - Critical, Food Borne Illness Risk
Food Temperature Control: Hot hold at 135°f or greater
Inspector Comments: Fish wrapped in tin foil was observed on the lid of a pot of food that was being cooked at the stove top and measured 86-95ºF. Several chile rellenos wrapped in tin foil were being held on a shelf above the stove top grill and measured 85-110ºF.
04a - Critical
Sanitation: Manual
Inspector Comments: The sanitizer at the bar three compartment sink measured less than 100ppm of quaternary ammonia.
09b - Non-Critical
Food Labeling, Food Protection: Food protected from contamination
Inspector Comments: An uncovered container of cooked meat was observed sitting directly under the condenser at the walk in refrigerator and was not protected from contamination.
10b - Non-Critical
Equipment Design, Construction: Nonfood-contact surfaces
Inspector Comments: A torn door gasket was observed at the cold top reach in refrigerator at the kitchen entrance.
11c - Non-Critical
Testing Devices: Chemical test kits provided and accessible
Inspector Comments: Chemical test strips were not available in the facility to check the strength of the quaternary ammonia sanitizer.
12d - Non-Critical
Cleaning Of Equipment & Utensils: Wiping cloths
Inspector Comments: The sanitizer in the sanitizer bucket at the food preparation table in the kitchen measured less than 100ppm of quaternary ammonia.
03/22/2016 Inspection, Follow-Up
05b - Critical
Water, Sewage, Plumbing Systems: Hot and cold water under pressure
Inspector Comments: Cold water was not provided at the hand sink at the server station by the kitchen entrance. Hot water was not provided at the restrooms by the kitchen entrance.
03/17/2016 Inspection, Routine
03a - Critical, Food Borne Illness Risk
Food Temperature Control: Rapidly cool foods to 41°f or less
Inspector Comments: Cooked ground beef stored in deep plastic containers in the walk-in refrigerator, cooked and labeled from the day before, were 50 - 52°F.
05b - Critical
Water, Sewage, Plumbing Systems: Hot and cold water under pressure
Inspector Comments: Cold water was not provided at the hand sink at the server station by the kitchen entrance. Hot water was not provided at the restrooms by the kitchen entrance.
06c - Critical, Food Borne Illness Risk
Hand Washing: Soap and drying devices
Inspector Comments: Soap was not provided at the hand sink at the server station by the kitchen entrance. Paper towels were not provided at the food preparation sink at the kitchen, and dispenser was not operational.
08b - Critical
Poisonous Or Toxic Items: Properly labeled
Inspector Comments: A chemical spray bottle observed at the bar was not labeled as to its content.
09b - Non-Critical
Food Labeling, Food Protection: Food protected from contamination
Inspector Comments: Enchiladas (62°F), still within time and temperature parameters, were being reheated directly on a hot holding unit at the cook line. Boxes with vegetables were stored directly on the floor in the walk-in refrigerator.
10b - Non-Critical
Equipment Design, Construction: Nonfood-contact surfaces
Inspector Comments: The caulking on the three compartment sink at the kitchen was observed in disrepair.
14a - Non-Critical
Physical Facilities: Plumbing: installed, maintained
Inspector Comments: The caulking on the hand sinks at the kitchen was missing.
06/25/2015 Inspection, Follow-Up
06/19/2015 Inspection, Follow-Up
03a - Critical, Food Borne Illness Risk
Food Temperature Control: Rapidly cool foods to 41°f or less
Inspector Comments: Beans in a deep plastic container were 46-59°F for more than four hours.
06/11/2015 Inspection, Routine
02g - Critical, Food Borne Illness Risk
Personnel: Preventing food contamination from bare hands
Inspector Comments: Employees at the kitchen were observed handling tortillas with bare hands. Corrected on site.
03a - Critical, Food Borne Illness Risk
Food Temperature Control: Rapidly cool foods to 41°f or less
Inspector Comments: Two plastic containers with refried beans at 57°F after cooling for more than six hours were observed in the walk-in refrigerator.
05b - Critical
Water, Sewage, Plumbing Systems: Hot and cold water under pressure
Inspector Comments: Hot water was not available at the time of inspection at the restrooms located by the kitchen entrance.
06/23/2014 Inspection, Routine
10b - Non-Critical
Equipment Design, Construction: Nonfood-contact surfaces
Inspector Comments: The shelf under the grill table was lined in foil. The refrigerator designated to store drinks only was storing potentially hazardous food.
12a - Non-Critical
Cleaning Of Equipment & Utensils: Food-contact surfaces
Inspector Comments: The food contact surface of the soda dispenser was moldy.
13a - Non-Critical
Utensils, Single-Service Articles: Utensils provided, used, stored
Inspector Comments: The handles of the scoops were stored in the salt and sugar.
08/30/2013 Inspection, Follow-Up
08/26/2013 Inspection, Routine
02c - Critical, Food Borne Illness Risk
Personnel: Hands washed as needed
Inspector Comments: An employee in the kitchen was observed donning gloves without first washing hands.
03c - Critical, Food Borne Illness Risk
Food Temperature Control: Hot hold at 135°f or greater
Inspector Comments: Several potentially hazardous foods were found below 135°F.
05b - Critical
Water, Sewage, Plumbing Systems: Hot and cold water under pressure
Inspector Comments: Hot water of at least 100°F was not available at both west restroom hand washing sinks.
05c - Critical
Water, Sewage, Plumbing Systems: Backflow, back siphonage
Inspector Comments: The hosebibb near beneath the bar hand washing sink did not have adequate backflow prevention.
07b - Critical
Pest Control: Pesticide application
Inspector Comments: A can of spray pesticide not labeled for use in a retail food establishment was stored in the kitchen storage room, Corrected on site.
09b - Non-Critical
Food Labeling, Food Protection: Food protected from contamination
Inspector Comments: The ice bin in the waitress station was left uncovered when not in use.
10b - Non-Critical
Equipment Design, Construction: Nonfood-contact surfaces
Inspector Comments: The shelves in the walk-in refrigerator were no longer smooth and easily cleanable.
14a - Non-Critical
Physical Facilities: Plumbing: installed, maintained
Inspector Comments: The bar hand washing sink faucet was leaking. The mop sink atmospheric vacuum breaker dust cover was not present.
06/20/2012 Inspection, Routine
07/19/2011 Inspection, Critical Item
03/29/2011 Inspection, Follow-Up
03/23/2011 Inspection, Routine
04/26/2010 Inspection, Routine

Please Note: Tri-County converted to a new database in July 2013. Any inspections listed prior to July 2013 only display the date and type of inspection, but not the inspector comments because of the database conversion. For inspection reports prior to July 2013 please submit a written request to EHInspections@tchd.org.


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