Do I Need A License?

When starting a business there are many questions that have to be answered but one of the most important is “Do I need a license?” In Colorado some, but not all, professions, occupations, and industries are regulated in order to protect consumers in Colorado. The agency that does this at the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA).

Before starting on your journey as a business owner, it is very important to check and see if your business is regulated by DORA. Their website has a searchable list of the professions and industries regulated by the State of Colorado. After checking with DORA, there are a few more places to check online:

DORA’s list of “Other Licenses & Regulatory Resources”

The Occupational License Database

Lastly, it’s also a good idea to verify with your local city and county for any local licensing, permit or tax requirements they might have! The City of Denver, for example, has its Business Licensing Center online which details what businesses are regulated by the city. When it comes to questions about licensing or permits when in doubt…ask! If you have questions contact DORA.

Leuallen Sales & Service

Kevin Leuallen’s grandfather, Floyde, and father, Charles, inspired him to become an entrepreneur. His father owned various food delivery routes, a donut store, a mini storage, a miniature golf course, and a liquor store along with A & W and Dairy Cream restaurants in Rifle, Colorado. As a young boy working for his grandfather, Kevin used to help out in his restaurants . Kevin also helped his dad deliver Holsom Bread in the Rifle, Colorado

VeriClean Springs

When you meet Dee Anna Thompson, not only does she greet you with warm smile and welcoming hug, you would never know she was the President of a fast growing, award winning business based on her humble personality. Dee Anna Thompson, President of VeriClean Springs opened in 2000. At the time, Dee Anna needed to make ends meet. Given cleaning was the only experience she had coming out of high school, finding a job was

Spidertrax

Spidertrax Off-Road Thom Kingston, owner and co-founder of Loveland-based Spidertrax Off-Road, poses in the manufacturing area of his 8,000-foot space facility, where he and his staff of 16 manufacture parts for the off-road industry. Story written by: Shelley Widhalm Photos: Courtesy of Spidertrax Thom Kingston helped start Loveland-based Spidertrax Off-Road not in a garage like some startups but in a fully equipped shop at the New Jersey Institute of Technology. In 1999, Kingston and his

Southern Ute Cultural Museum

Lynn Brittner, Executive Director, started planning the Southern-Ute Cultural Center and Museum over ten years ago. The Center’s opening this past May was her reward for years of dedicatedly holding the vision. Brittner’s relationship with the Southwest Colorado Small Business Development Center started way back at the beginning. She needed help and only had three staff. A grant from the Administration for Native Americans provided funds for her to take Board members to visit other

Timberleaf Trailers

Kevin Molick is a custom cabinet contractor and outdoorsman. The idea of building a teardrop trailer for his camping adventures intrigued him, so he built one to suit his needs. It wasn’t long before he was getting inquires on social media about how one of these trailers could be purchased. By the end of 2016 he had built and sold 12 of these custom made trailers. “The consulting and direct assistance from the Small Manufacturing

North Line GIS

North Line GIS was founded in October 2006 by Mike George and Trip McLaughlin after seeing a need for a GIS business to service the needs of the local community as well as the western slope of Colorado. Both Mike and Trip were employed full-time by others at the time of the start-up, so they were able to start the company with personal funds while building the business. Although both founders have extensive experience as