• AdvanceColorado.gov
• Colorado.gov

• Home
• Site Selection
• Business Registration, Licensing & Permitting

• Site Selection Request Form
• GIS Tools and Thematic Maps
• Taxes
• Business Incentives and Financing
• Labor
• Energy and Utilities
• Transportation and Infrastructure
• International Trade & Exports
• Business Registration, Licensing & Permitting
• Legislative Climate
• Minority-and Woman-Owned Business

Business Registration, Licensing & Permitting

Business Registration and Licensing

The State of Colorado administers all business registrations through the Colorado Secretary of State.  In addition, local jurisdictions may have additional registration requirements depending upon their own regulations and ordinances.  The business resource center at the Colorado Secretary of State may be found at the following website:

http://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/business/main.htm

In addition to business registration, various licenses may be required depending upon the type of business operated.  Information about specific business licensing may be obtained at the following website:

http://www.advancecolorado.com/industry-license/index.cfm

Finally, information about starting and operating a business in Colorado is available through the Colorado Business Resource Guide.  An online version of the resource guide is available at the following website:

http://www.advancecolorado.com/business-resource-guide/index.cfm

Land Use Planning, Permitting and Zoning

Although many laws and regulations surrounding land use are established at the State Legislature, land use practices in Colorado remain a very localized.  The significance of this fact is that each jurisdiction will be different in the way it determines and administers its land use policies.  For incorporated areas, municipalities are the land use agent; for unincorporated areas, counties are the land use agent.  A complete list of cities and counties with online services can be found at the website below.  Please consult the local jurisdiction for complete information about its land use policies and procedures.

Counties: http://www.colorado.gov/colorado-government/countygovs.html Cities: http://www.colorado.gov/colorado-government/municipalgovs.html For economic development purposes, many cities and counties have adopted fast-track permitting processes.  In addition, the Colorado Office of Economic Development is willing to assist the coordination of the site selection process for single or multiple jurisdictions.

Environmental Permits

• Air Pollution, Water Quality, and Hazardous Waste/Materials permits are administered at the state level of government through the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.  Please consult the following website to familiarize yourself with the regulations and processes surrounding these permits:
  • http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/permits.html
• The Office of Economic Development may assist with these processes during the site-selection process.  Please consult OEDIT if you have any related questions.

The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade does not administer any business, land use, or environmental related permitting/licensing; however, it can serve as a conduit to individual permitting/licensing agencies during the site selection process.  Finally, other necessary permits may exist that are not listed at this site (such as fire, building, etc.).  Please consult the local government where you intend to operate your business or contact OEDIT for additional information.