Does Colorado have a state contractor license?

No. Colorado does not issue a statewide general contractor license. General contractor licensing is handled by cities and counties — Denver, Pikes Peak Regional Building Department (Colorado Springs and most of El Paso County), Aurora, Boulder, Fort Collins, and others each run their own programs. The only trades licensed at the state level are electrical and plumbing, through the Colorado State Electrical Board and State Plumbing Board under DORA's Division of Professions and Occupations.

How do I check if a Colorado contractor is licensed?

Start with the city or county where the work will happen. Look up the contractor through that jurisdiction's building department — Denver Contractor Licensing, PPRBD for the Colorado Springs area, Boulder's Customer Self-Service portal, and similar tools in Aurora and Fort Collins. For electrical or plumbing work, also verify the contractor's state license using the DORA License Lookup at apps.colorado.gov/dora/licensing/Lookup/LicenseLookup.aspx.

Who licenses electricians and plumbers in Colorado?

The Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), through the Division of Professions and Occupations (DPO), licenses electricians and plumbers statewide. The State Electrical Board issues Residential Wireman, Journeyman Electrician, Master Electrician, and Electrical Contractor licenses. The State Plumbing Board issues Residential, Journeyman, and Master Plumber licenses plus Plumbing Contractor registration. Municipal building departments accept these state licenses and do not issue parallel city licenses for electrical or plumbing work.

What are the Denver contractor license classes?

Denver's Community Planning and Development department issues contractor licenses across building, mechanical, electrical, and specialty categories. A Supervisor Certificate — or employing someone who holds one — is required before a Denver contractor license can be issued, and a Colorado state electrical or plumbing license can substitute for the Supervisor Certificate in those trades. Licenses renew every one to three years depending on type. For current fees, class definitions, and application forms, contact Contr.Licensing@denvergov.org or (720) 865-2770.

Do I need a contractor license in Colorado Springs?

Yes. Contractor licensing for Colorado Springs and most of El Paso County is administered by the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department (PPRBD). PPRBD issues Building Contractor classes B-A, B-A-1, B-A-2, B-B, B-B-1, B-B-2, B-C (home builder for 1–2 family dwellings), and B-D specialty classes for single trades like roofing, masonry, foundation repair, and pool installation. Mechanical classes are H-A (commercial), H-B (residential), H-C (specialty), and H-E (elevators). Electrical contractors must hold a Colorado state license and register with PPRBD.

Do Colorado contractors need to carry workers' compensation?

Yes. Under the Colorado Workers' Compensation Act (CRS Title 8, Articles 40–47), an employer with one or more employees must carry workers' compensation insurance. The statutory definition of employee is broad and presumes coverage unless the worker is both free from the employer's control and customarily engaged in an independent trade. Narrow exceptions exist for casual and domestic labor. Hiring a contractor who has employees but no workers' comp can expose a homeowner to liability for on-the-job injuries.

Do Colorado contractors need a surety bond?

There is no statewide bond requirement because there is no state general contractor license. Bond requirements — when they exist — are set by each municipal licensing program. General liability insurance is typically the more common requirement; for example, Boulder requires $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate with the city listed as additional insured. Check the specific city or county where your project will be permitted for bond and insurance minimums.

What is the Colorado mechanics' lien law?

Colorado's Mechanics' Lien Act is in CRS Title 38, Article 22. It gives contractors, subcontractors, laborers, and material suppliers the right to record a lien against your property for unpaid work or materials used to improve it. The statute also sets filing deadlines, notice of intent requirements, bona fide purchaser protections, and procedures for a property owner to bond off a lien. Because mechanics' liens can cloud title, homeowners should obtain lien waivers as payments are made and verify that the general contractor is paying subs and suppliers.

How do I file a complaint against a Colorado contractor?

For electrical and plumbing contractors, file a complaint with DORA's Division of Professions and Occupations, which can investigate, fine, and suspend or revoke state licenses. For general contractors, file with the city or county that issued the local license — Denver Community Planning and Development, PPRBD, Aurora Building Division, Boulder Contractor Licensing, or Fort Collins Building Services. For deceptive trade practices across any contractor, you can also file a complaint with the Colorado Attorney General's Consumer Protection Section under the Colorado Consumer Protection Act.

Do I need to verify that a contractor's business is registered in Colorado?

Yes. Every business operating in Colorado must be registered with the Colorado Secretary of State. Search the Secretary of State's Business Database to confirm the entity is in Good Standing, that the trade name on your contract matches the registered business, and that the registered agent is current. This is especially important in Colorado because the state does not maintain a central contractor registry — the Secretary of State record is often the only statewide paper trail for a contractor's legal entity.

How to Verify a Contractor in Colorado — No State License Required

Colorado Contractor Licensing — Quick Facts

State License Required?: No — varies by city/county

Online License Lookup: Search licenses online →

Colorado has no statewide general contractor license — GC licensing is handled city-by-city (Denver, Pikes Peak Regional Building Department for Colorado Springs, Aurora, Boulder, and Fort Collins each run their own program). At the state level, DORA's Division of Professions and Occupations (DPO) licenses only specialty trades through the State Electrical Board and the State Plumbing Board. Any employer with one or more employees must carry workers' compensation under the Colorado Workers' Compensation Act (CRS Title 8, Articles 40–47), and new businesses must register with the Colorado Secretary of State.

Search licenses on the official Colorado board site →

Colorado does not require a state-level general contractor license. However, this doesn't mean contractors can operate without any oversight. Many cities and counties in Colorado have their own licensing requirements, and specialty trades (plumbing, electrical, HVAC) typically require state licensing even when general contracting doesn't.

How to Verify a Contractor in Colorado

Since Colorado doesn't have statewide licensing, you'll need to:

Check local requirements. Contact your city or county building department to find out if contractors need a local license, permit, or registration to work in your area.
Verify specialty licenses. If your project involves plumbing, electrical, HVAC, or other specialty trades, those contractors should hold state-issued specialty licenses. Check the Colorado DORA — Division of Professions and Occupations (specialty trades only) for specialty license verification.
Ask for proof of insurance. Even without a licensing requirement, any reputable contractor should carry general liability insurance and workers' compensation insurance. Ask for certificates before signing a contract.
Check the Better Business Bureau. In states without licensing boards, the BBB and online reviews are your primary tools for vetting contractors.
Verify business registration. Check that the contractor is registered as a business with the Colorado Secretary of State.

Protecting Yourself Without State Licensing

In states like Colorado where there's no state licensing board to file complaints with, it's especially important to:

Get a detailed written contract before any work begins
Never pay more than 10-30% upfront
Verify the contractor pulls all required building permits
Get multiple bids and check references
Use a credit card for payments when possible (chargeback protection)

Should Colorado Require Contractor Licensing?

States without contractor licensing consistently have higher rates of consumer complaints about home improvement fraud. Licensed states provide consumers with surety bond protection, complaint investigation, and disciplinary enforcement that unlicensed states lack. If you're in Colorado, consider advocating for statewide contractor licensing through your state legislature.

Sources

Facts on this page were verified against the following primary sources on April 20, 2026. Licensing laws, fees, and bond amounts change — always confirm with the official board before acting.

Colorado DORA — Division of Professions and Occupations — State agency that licenses electrical and plumbing trades; no state general contractor license. (retrieved 2026-04-20)
Colorado State Plumbing Board (DPO) — License types: Residential, Journeyman, Master Plumber; Plumbing Contractor registration. (retrieved 2026-04-20)
Colorado State Electrical Board (DPO) — License types: Residential Wireman, Journeyman Electrician, Master Electrician, Electrical Contractor. (retrieved 2026-04-20)
Colorado DORA — License Lookup — Primary lookup for state-licensed electrical and plumbing contractors. (retrieved 2026-04-20)
Denver Community Planning and Development — Contractor Licensing — Denver contractor licensing, Supervisor Certificate requirement, and renewal schedule. (retrieved 2026-04-20)
Pikes Peak Regional Building Department — Licensing — Colorado Springs / El Paso County contractor classes (B-A through B-D, H-A through H-E) and ICC exam requirements. (retrieved 2026-04-20)
Pikes Peak Regional Building Department — Licensing FAQ — Confirms workers' compensation requirement per state statutes and local insurance rules. (retrieved 2026-04-20)
City of Boulder — Contractor Licensing — Boulder classes A/B/C, specialty D–E, limited F–G; $1M/$2M general liability requirement. (retrieved 2026-04-20)
City of Aurora — Municipal contractor licensing portal for Aurora; state electrical and plumbing licenses still required. (retrieved 2026-04-20)
City of Fort Collins — Building Services — Fort Collins contractor licensing classes, Supervisor Certificate, insurance, and ICC testing. (retrieved 2026-04-20)
Colorado Revised Statutes — Title 8 (Labor and Industry) — Colorado Workers' Compensation Act (Articles 40–47); CRS 8-40-202 defines 'employee' for purposes of the Workers' Compensation Act; the Act requires coverage from the first employee. (retrieved 2026-04-20)
Colorado Revised Statutes — Title 38, Article 22 (Mechanics' Liens) — Mechanics' lien statute covering filing deadlines, notices, bona fide purchaser protections, and bond-off procedures. (retrieved 2026-04-20)
Colorado Secretary of State — Business Database Search — Verify that a contractor's business is registered and in Good Standing in Colorado. (retrieved 2026-04-20)
Colorado CDLE — Division of Workers' Compensation — State workers' compensation administration, employer resources, and coverage verification. (retrieved 2026-04-20)

Other States

Looking up a contractor in a different state? Visit our state-by-state contractor license lookup page to find the right verification tool for your state.

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Search on Official Colorado Site →

How to check a contractor's license in Colorado.

How to Verify a Contractor in Colorado

Protecting Yourself Without State Licensing

Should Colorado Require Contractor Licensing?

Sources

Other States

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