Colorado General Contractor License: Get Licensed to Work

Do you need a general contractor license in Colorado?

There is no state licensing requirement for general contractors in Colorado. However, most cities and towns have their own local licensing requirements. Meeting these requirements allows you to bid on projects or pull permits within those regions.

The licensing process changes slightly from location to location, so be sure to get in touch with the local agency in the region you want to work in.

In this guide, we’re going to focus on the following cities in Colorado:

• Aurora
• Boulder
• Colorado Springs
• Denver

Types of contractor licenses in Colorado

In Colorado, the three most common general contractor license classifications that many regions adhere to are Classes A, B, and C. The differences between the classifications lie in the types of projects and building sizes a contractor is allowed to work on and the materials they are allowed to use: 

While the types of license classifications likely won’t vary much throughout the state, the descriptions might, so it’s important to verify what is and isn’t allowed for each location in which you will work. For instance, some cities define the term “multi-family dwellings” for Class C contractors as one- or two-family dwellings, while others define it as up to four-family dwellings.

Colorado general contractor license requirements

Since Colorado does not license contractors at the state level, many regions require International Code Council (ICC) certification. It’s best to check the local government regulations for the cities or counties in which you want to work. 

Here are the specific requirements you’ll need to meet to be eligible for licensure in the following cities:

Aurora

To work as a general contractor in the city of Aurora, you must register with the city and submit three job references. Additionally, you will need to pass the ICC Standardized Contractor Exam for the license classification you want to hold.

If you want to be a supervisor, a separate certificate of qualification is also required. See Aurora’s municipal code for more information.

Boulder

All contractors and tradespeople in Boulder must be issued a city Building Contractor’s license to apply for permits and conduct work. 

In addition to getting a city license, you must show proof of either passing the appropriate ICC exam for your license classification or a valid license from another Colorado municipality that also requires the ICC exam for licensing.

Colorado Springs

Pikes Peak Regional Building Department handles most of the licensing in the Colorado Springs/Pikes Peak area and will issue the different license types for general contractors to work in the city.

Proof of passing the appropriate ICC exam is required.

Denver

In Denver, you’ll need to apply for a supervisor certificate issued by the city’s Community Planning and Development division before applying for a Denver contractor’s license. These certificates ensure applicants hold sufficient experience to qualify for a license. 

Visit the City of Denver’s website to see a list of the requirements to get a supervisor certificate for each license classification. In all cases, letters of experience and proof of passing the appropriate ICC exam are required.

Once you hold a supervisor certificate, you can apply directly for a contractor license.

How do I get a general contractor license in Colorado?

Here are the steps you’ll need to follow to get your general contractor license in the following cities: 

Aurora

1. Complete the application for license
2. Submit three professional references
3. Take the relevant ICC exam and provide proof of a passing score
4. Pay applicable fees

You can submit your documents to the Aurora Municipal Center at:

15151 E. Alameda Parkway, Suite 2400
Aurora, CO 80012 

Boulder

1. Create a Customer Self Service (CSS) portal account before submitting your application; this will link you to your licenses and invoices and allow the license fee(s) to be paid
2. Submit a contractor license application online; Boulder also has a website with instructions to walk you through the application process
3. Take the relevant ICC exam and provide proof of a passing score
4. Provide proof of general liability insurance (minimum limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate)
5. Provide proof of workers’ compensation insurance or a Rejection of Coverage form
6. Pay applicable fees through the online CSS portal

Boulder’s document and payment submission process is mostly digital, but the mailing address of the City of Boulder Planning & Development Services is:

1777 Broadway
Boulder, CO 80302

Colorado Springs

1. Fill out the application 
2. Submit a copy of your personal identification
3. Take the relevant ICC exam and provide proof of a passing score
4. Submit three professional references
5. Provide copies of all current licenses held (within and outside of Colorado), if applicable
6. Provide proof of general liability insurance (minimum limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate)
7. Provide proof of workers’ compensation insurance or a Rejection of Coverage form
8. Submit a certificate of good standing from the State of Colorado
9. Pay applicable fees through the online portal

Hard copies of any documentation can be submitted to the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department at:

2880 International Circle
Colorado Springs, CO, 80910

Denver

1. Fill out the supervisor certificate application and submit:
   1. Proof of education and experience
   2. A list of all previous licenses held, if applicable
   3. Notarized letters of experience with project dates, addresses, and supervisor signatures
   4. An Affidavit of Lawful Presence and provide a copy of your personal identification
   5. Proof of a passing score for the relevant ICC exam
   6. Payment for applicable fees
2. Fill out the contractor license application and submit:
   1. A Supervisor Statement of Responsibility
   2. Required Secretary of State documents
   3. Payment for applicable fees

You can create a login for the contractor portal to apply online for your contractor’s license, submit additional documentation, and pay for fees. Or mail documents to the Community Planning and Development Department, Attn: Contractor Licensing, at: 

201 W. Colfax Ave.
Denver, CO 80202

Colorado general contractor exam

Aurora, Boulder, Colorado Springs, and Denver all require ICC certification, but remember to check with the city or county you want to work in to see if there are additional or different exam requirements. 

To register for a computer-based ICC contractor exam, you can schedule your exam on the Pearson VUE website. All exams are open book, and questions are multiple choice. Most contractor/trade examinations require a score of at least 70% to pass.

Here is information about the specific ICC exam identifications required for each city:

Does Colorado reciprocate general contractor licenses?

Reciprocal license agreements let professionals out of state apply directly for a general contractor license in Colorado.

Because licensing is not conducted at the state level, you will need to check with your regional authority to determine if reciprocity is possible—in most cases, you’ll find that reciprocity is not commonly available in Colorado.

How much does a general contractor license cost in Colorado?

Though ICC exam fees are the same for all applicants, each city has a different fee structure for applications and licenses. You can expect to pay between $300 and $600 for initial licensure, depending on location and classification:

You should also keep in mind that there are insurance and bond requirements for most general contractor licenses. 

Renewing your general contractor license

License renewal periods range from every one to three years, depending on location. Here are individual directions for each city to learn about renewal information:

Aurora

In Aurora, you will use the Aurora4Biz website to renew your license. You can renew your contractor’s license or supervisor’s license beginning 30 days prior to its expiration date. 

Steps to renew a contractor’s license are outlined in this document.

Boulder

In Boulder, renewals are processed through the CSS portal. Steps to renew a contractor’s license can be found on the Boulder contractor licensing page.

Colorado Springs

In Colorado Springs, licenses can be renewed within 45 days of the license expiration date. Pikes Peak Regional Building Code RBC201.10.4 contains information about renewal fees.

Denver

Contractor licenses and supervisor certificates must be renewed every three years. Expiration dates appear on each license and are listed on the city’s licensed contractor search page.

Contractor licenses can be renewed online up to 30 days before the license expires. Licenses that have expired must be renewed in person or by mail. If a license has been expired for over a year, it will require reinstatement.

How to start a contracting business in Colorado

Once you have your general contractor license in hand, you’re ready to take the next step: starting your own business in Colorado.

This checklist from the Colorado Secretary of State gives helpful tips for starting a business in Colorado. And visit the Small Business Development Center for answers to FAQs, including:

• Where to begin when starting a business
• How to get a state business license
• How to register a business name
• How to get a state tax ID number
• Where to get workers’ compensation insurance
• How to apply for a loan

Once you have the proper business designations set up, you can begin signing contracts with clients and putting your new license to work.

To make sure your business is successful, you’ll also want to think about:

• Pricing your services appropriately
• Securing financing and setting up an accounting system
• Finding the necessary equipment and product suppliers
• Setting up general contracting business software
• Creating a sales strategy
• Generating leads for your general contractor business 

See our library of free contracting business resources to make sure you’re setting yourself up for success.

Does a general contractor license in Colorado increase your earning potential?

Yes, getting your general contractor license definitely allows you to increase your earning potential in Colorado. When you first get into the industry, your annual salary might be less than $100,000, but as you increase your working knowledge and experience, that number will begin to rise, maybe even as high as $160,000+ per year.  

Starting your own general contracting business is a great way to take advantage of current booming market conditions.