Trade business resources for Colorado.

Colorado is unique in that it does not have a statewide general contractor license requirement; instead, licensing for most construction trades is handled at the local (city or county) level, with a few specific trades regulated at the state level through DORA. Contractors must check with each municipality where they intend to work, as licensing requirements, fees, and exams vary significantly by jurisdiction.

State licensing board

At the state level, Colorado licenses electrical contractors and journeyman/master electricians through the Electrical Board under DORA, requiring passage of a state exam and proof of experience. Plumbers are licensed statewide by the State Plumbing Board, with separate licenses for apprentice, journeyman, and master plumber classifications. HVAC work is not licensed at the state level and is instead regulated locally, though mechanical contractors in many jurisdictions must hold a local license. General contractors have no statewide license requirement; local jurisdictions (such as Denver or Colorado Springs) set their own GC registration or licensing rules, often triggered by project value thresholds that vary by city. Roofing contractors are also not licensed at the state level, but Colorado law (C.R.S. § 6-22-101 et seq.) does regulate roofing contractor business practices and requires written contracts for residential roofing work exceeding certain scopes, and some municipalities require local roofing licenses.

Business registration