Guarantees & Cancellations

• Catering orders are due 30 days prior to the first day of your event. This order will be considered a minimum guarantee and must include menu selections, attendee count, and dietary needs.
• Confirmation of final menu selections and attendee counts are due to your Event Manager 14 days prior to your scheduled event. Any changes after the 14-day guarantee are subject to approval and additional charges may be applied.
• Events canceled within 7-days of the event may be billed in full.
• Organizer(s) or client(s) accept responsibility for additional charges when canceling orders, such as, non-refundable deposits on rental items and non-returnable special order foods.
• By ordering from Catering by HDS, you acknowledge and agree to abide by our policies.

Pricing Guidelines

• Prices are valid through December 2025. All prices and menu selections are subject to change.
• Self-Service Catering requires a minimum order of $500 per function 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.  Weekday evenings, after 4 p.m., and weekends require a minimum order of $1,000 per function.
• Final billing will be based on the guaranteed number or the number served, whichever is greater.
• There is no charge for children under 5 years. Children 5 and over will be charged full price.
• Linen tablecloths are provided for all buffet & beverage tables. Linens for guest dining tables are available at an additional cost.
• All Colorado State University Departments and recognized student groups are tax and gratuity-exempt. Other organizations with tax exempt status are required to provide their tax identification number. Giving staff cash gratuity at the end of the event is at the customer’s discretion. Gratuity and applicable sales tax will be added to all other groups. Contact your Catering Coordinator for the gratuity rate.

Buffet Service

• Prices quoted for self-service buffets are for one hour of service.  For extended times, an additional charge of $20 per 15 minutes per attendant will be added.
• Options ordered from this menu include on-site banquet staff to be present to replenish items and provide other support in relation to the catering service.
• Catering by HDS offers a Budget-Friendly Express Menu that features individually packaged items as well as platters – with no staff needed on-site. Please reach out to the Catering Coordinator for this menu.
• In accordance with CSU sustainability efforts, catering food picked up at Edward’s Event Center loading dock will not incur a catering charge. Please contact your Catering Coordinator to make arrangements.
• All catering is subject to approval by Catering Coordinator.
• An Offsite Catering fee is assessed based on equipment and staffing needs. catering
  • Events within the the perimeter of the Main Campus (Laurel St., Shields, St., Lakre St., College Ave., and University Housing Spaces) will be assessed a fee starting at $35, and events outside the Main Campus perimeter will be assessed a fee starting at $70. Events in the Edwards Event Center, Ingersoll Event Center, or picked up at the Edwards Event Center, Ingersoll Event Center, or picked up at the Edwards Hall kitchen will not be assessed an Offsite Catering fee.
• Groups booked through Conference and Event Services with event management services will incur a 5% administrative fee.
• The cost of renting and transporting special equipment will be included in the final bill.
• Prices listed do not include any applicable sales tax.
• Catering by HDS is not responsible for all other non-food related event logistics, which include room reservations, audio-visual needs, and/or tables for food/seating, trash cans and disposal, etc.  Please contact your Event Managers for assistance.

Safety Regulations

• To comply with food safety regulations, all leftover food remains the property of CSU and may not be taken from the event. Leftover food is donated through the Ram Food Recovery Program to support members of the campus community who are experiencing food insecurity while also reducing food waste.
• Outside food and beverages are not permitted in catered or reservable Residential Dining spaces without preapproval.
  • Small amounts of commercially prepared and packaged nonperishable items such as candy, cookies, chips, and beverages may be served with approval from the Senior Associate Director of Residential Dining Services.
• Catering by HDS does not assume responsibility for lost or damaged merchandise or any articles left on the premises. Loss or damage to CSU property during an event will be added to the final bill.
• During severe weather events, Catering by HDS reserves the right to stop service of outdoor catered events for the safety of guests and employees.

Other

• Housing and Dining: For inquiries regarding space reservation and room set up, contact our Guest Services Manager at hdsstaff.colostate.edu/units/conference-event-services/space reservation/
• All other inquiries seeking space reservation and room set-up contact Conference and Event Services at ces.colostate.edu/contact-us/
• For assistance with audio visual needs, contact Tech Services at (970) 491-4734.
• No vehicles are available to be loaned or rented from RDS Catering.
• Outside food and beverages may not be served in Housing & Dining Services reservable spaces unless otherwise approved by RDS Catering, who has the right of first refusal.
• Commercial beverage vendors, under the sponsorship of a recognized student organization or department, are permitted to give away only those products that are permitted under contracts with CSU in non-retail areas. As University-recognized organizations, student organizations are considered part of CSU for this purpose.
• Off-site events only include compostable items for food consumption. Catering does offer non-compostable items for rent, and if you are interested please work with your Catering coordinator.
• In the event that Catering utilizes a commissary kitchen, Catering agrees to fully clean the facility and vacate it on the same condition as it was found.
• Catering does not offer ware washing, and in the event that a client wishes to have this service please work with your catering coordinator to both check availability and make arrangements.

Allergen Information

• Please be aware that Catering by HDS handles and prepares foods that contain egg, dairy, wheat, shellfish, fish, soy, peanut, tree nut products, and other potential allergens in our facilities. Although Catering by HDS does serve foods that are gluten-free, we are not a 100% gluten-free establishment.
• Each item that is Vegan-Friendly is marked with (V) and items that are Gluten Friendly are marked with (GF).
• Catering by HDS strives to provide our customers with the most accurate, current nutrition and allergen information present in our menu items on campus. However, ingredients and nutritional content may vary. Manufacturers may change their product formulation or consistency without our knowledge and product availability may fluctuate. While we make every reasonable effort to identify ingredients and prevent cross-contamination, we cannot guarantee the information for all menu items. It is, therefore, the responsibility of the customer to determine whether or not to question ingredients or eat the foods they select. Particularly for those individuals with sensitive food allergies, we want to inform you of this risk so you can make dining decisions based on your individual needs and with appropriate caution.
• Our catering facility comprehensively handles various foods and we are not gluten-free, nut-free, etc. We offer gluten-friendly, and other allergen “friendly” options. If you or one of your conference attendees has a food allergy, celiac disease, or other medically necessary dietary needs, please contact your Event Manager to inform the Catering Coordinator as soon as possible to make necessary accommodations.