Here's what you need in Colorado
Official state business portal: MyBizColorado. MyBizColorado is the state's online tool to register a business and register for state tax and unemployment accounts.
| What you need | Who issues it | Official fee | Links | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General state business licenseNo general state business license. Colorado has no single statewide business license. When asked how to get a business license, the Secretary of State points to DORA for some types of business and to your city or county for others. | Colorado Secretary of State | Not needed | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Form an LLCArticles of Organization. File Articles of Organization online with the Colorado Secretary of State. Filings are made online only. | Colorado Secretary of State | $50 filing fee (online) | Applyat coloradosos.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Business name (DBA)Statement of Trade Name. Trade names are registered at the state level with the Colorado Secretary of State, not with the county. You need one if you do business under a name other than your legal name. | Colorado Secretary of State | $20 filing fee (online) | Applyat coloradosos.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Sales tax permitRetail Sales Tax License. Anyone who sells goods at retail in Colorado needs a state sales tax license from the Department of Revenue. The deposit is refunded after you have paid that much in state sales tax. | Colorado Department of Revenue | $16 for 2 years plus a $50 deposit (prorated after June 30) | Applyat mybiz.colorado.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Unemployment insurance (once you hire)Unemployment insurance employer account. Once you pay wages to at least one employee in Colorado, register for an unemployment insurance account through MyBizColorado. You then pay premiums and file quarterly wage reports. | Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) | You pay tax on wages | Applyat mybiz.colorado.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Federal tax ID (EIN)Employer Identification Number (EIN). You need an EIN if you have employees or pay certain federal taxes, and banks often ask for one. Apply online with the IRS and you get the number in minutes. | Internal Revenue Service (IRS) | Free | Applyat irs.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
Costs after you start
What an LLC in Colorado pays or files after it is formed.
| What you need | Who issues it | Official fee | Links | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Periodic ReportEvery Colorado LLC files a Periodic Report with the Secretary of State. It can only be filed online. A late fee applies if it is filed late. | Colorado Secretary of State | $25 a year, online only | Applyat coloradosos.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
Licenses by type of business
State level licenses. Your city or county may add its own permits.
| What you need | Who issues it | Official fee | Links | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hair salon, barber shop or nail salonShop and Salon Registration. Barber and cosmetology shops and salons register with the Colorado Office of Barber and Cosmetology Licensure. Apply for an initial shop registration online through the DPO Online Services system. | Colorado Office of Barber and Cosmetology Licensure (DORA) | Fee not published.Ask the agency | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Child care in your homeFamily Child Care Home License. Caring for other people's children in your home needs a Family Child Care Home License from the Colorado Department of Early Childhood unless the home is exempt. Care for four or fewer children, with no more than two under age two, does not need a license. | Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC) | Fee not published.Ask the agency | Applyat cdec.colorado.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Selling alcohol (bar or restaurant)Retail liquor license. Colorado licenses bars and restaurants together with local governments. You first get approval from your city or county licensing authority, then the state Liquor Enforcement Division. | Colorado Liquor Enforcement Division (Department of Revenue) | Fee not published.Ask the agency | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| General contractorGeneral contractor license. We could not find an official state page that says whether Colorado licenses general contractors. Check with your city or county building department. | Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) | Not yet verifiedCheck with the agency | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Selling homemade food (cottage food)Colorado Cottage Foods Act. You can make foods that do not need refrigeration at home and sell them directly to customers without a state food license, but you must first complete a food safety training course. The new Tamale Act starts January 1, 2027. | Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) | Not needed | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
What is different in Colorado
- At $50, the LLC filing fee is among the lowest: only 3 of 49 verified states charge less.
- Where to file a business name (DBA): Trade names are registered at the state level with the Colorado Secretary of State, not with the county. You need one if you do business under a name other than your legal name.
- Homemade food sales are capped at $10,000 net revenue per product. Of the 16 states where we verified a cap, 15 allow more.
- Periodic Report: $25 a year, online only. Every Colorado LLC files a Periodic Report with the Secretary of State. It can only be filed online. A late fee applies if it is filed late.
Steps to start a business in Colorado
Pick a structure and register it
Sole owners can start under their own name. To form an LLC, file the Articles of Organization with the Colorado Secretary of State ($50).
Get a free EIN
Apply on irs.gov. You need it to hire, and banks usually ask for it. Never pay a website for an EIN.
Register your business name
If you trade under a name that is not your legal name, file a DBA with the Colorado Secretary of State.
Register for sales tax
If you sell taxable goods or services, get your permit from the Colorado Department of Revenue before your first sale.
Get a state license for your type of business
Salons, child care, alcohol, building work and home food each have their own state rules. See the table above.
Check city and county permits
Ask about a local business license, zoning, health and building permits before you sign a lease.
Register as an employer when you hire
Open a state unemployment insurance tax account with the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE).
City and county permits
Cities and countys in Colorado can require their own business license, zoning approval, health permit or building permit. Rules change from place to place, so ask your city hall and county clerk before you sign a lease. Home businesses often need a home occupation permit.
In the biggest cities, ask these local governments:
- Denver: the combined City and County of Denver. Business and occupational licenses (Business licensing center) (denvergov.org), City of Denver (denvergov.org)
City rules and fees are not in our guide yet.
Questions about business licenses in Colorado
Do I need a business license in Colorado?
No. Colorado has no single statewide business license. When asked how to get a business license, the Secretary of State points to DORA for some types of business and to your city or county for others.
How much is a business license in Colorado?
There is no general state business license fee in Colorado. A local business license, if your city or county requires one, is priced by that city or county. State licenses for some types of business have their own fees, listed on this page.
How much is an LLC in Colorado?
The Colorado Secretary of State charges $50 filing fee (online) to file the Articles of Organization. File Articles of Organization online with the Colorado Secretary of State. Filings are made online only.
How much does an LLC cost per year in Colorado?
Periodic Report: $25 a year, online only. Every Colorado LLC files a Periodic Report with the Secretary of State. It can only be filed online. A late fee applies if it is filed late.
Does an LLC need a business license in Colorado?
Yes, if your type of business or your location requires one. Forming an LLC only registers your company with the state; it is not a license. An LLC in Colorado still needs any state license for its type of business and any local business license from its city or county.
Do I need a sales tax permit in Colorado?
Yes, if you sell taxable goods or services. Anyone who sells goods at retail in Colorado needs a state sales tax license from the Department of Revenue. The deposit is refunded after you have paid that much in state sales tax. Official fee: $16 for 2 years plus a $50 deposit (prorated after June 30).
How much is a DBA in Colorado?
Trade names are registered at the state level with the Colorado Secretary of State, not with the county. You need one if you do business under a name other than your legal name. Official fee: $20 filing fee (online).
Can I sell homemade food from home in Colorado?
You can make foods that do not need refrigeration at home and sell them directly to customers without a state food license, but you must first complete a food safety training course. The new Tamale Act starts January 1, 2027. Sales cap: $10,000 net revenue per product.
Do I need an EIN?
You need an EIN if you have employees or pay certain federal taxes, and banks often ask for one. Apply online with the IRS and you get the number in minutes. It is free: never pay a website for an EIN.
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from an official government page, checked on the date shown. Facts we could not confirm are marked Not yet verified and show no number. How we check.
- General state business license Colorado Secretary of State Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Form an LLC Colorado Secretary of State Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Sales tax permit Colorado Department of Revenue Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Unemployment insurance (once you hire) Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Official business portal State of Colorado Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Hair salon, barber shop or nail salon Colorado Office of Barber and Cosmetology Licensure (DORA) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Child care in your home Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Selling alcohol (bar or restaurant) Colorado Liquor Enforcement Division (Department of Revenue) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- General contractor Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) Not yet verified Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Selling homemade food (cottage food) Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Federal tax ID (EIN) Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Checked Nov 7, 2026