Colorado does not currently have a state-wide general contractor license. There are only two trades that are regulated at the state level:
For other licenses, the laws differ depending on the county.
Several Contractor Licenses are offered in Denver through the Department of Community Planning and Development.
General Contractor Classifications in Denver
The Denver Community Planning and Development Department offers 4 levels of licensing for General Contractors.
1. General Contractor Class A
Scope of work includes:
- Commercial Buildings
- Multi-story and high rise buildings
- Excavations at least 10 feet deep
- Erection of structural elements of reinforced concrete, steel, masonry, and heavy timber.
- General Construction and Supervision of building trades
Requirements
- 7 years experience in building construction
- Commercial, multi-story and high rise buildings
- Experience must have been gained as a field engineer or superintendent
- Notarized letter providing a detailed description of job duties, projects, dates, and equipment operated. Experience must show projects involving ground-up builds.
- B.S. or B.A. Structural Engineering or Architecture degrees from accredited colleges may be substituted for 3 years experience.
- Project Manager experience or Construction Management Degree may be substituted for up to 1 year experience
Examination
To get the Colorado General Contractor License A you will need to pass the following ICC examination:
- ICC Exam #F11 National Standard General Building Contractor A
- Engineering Fundamentals
2. General Contractor Class B
Scope of work includes:
- Commercial Buildings or Structures classified by the IBC as less than a high rise
- Strip Malls, Convenience Stores, Office Buildings
- Multi-story buildings up to 75 feet
- Erection of structural elements of reinforced concrete, steel, masonry, and heavy timber.
- General Construction and Supervision of building trades
Requirements
- 4 years experience in building construction
- Commercial Buildings under 75 feet
- Experience must have been gained as a field engineer or superintendent
- Notarized letter providing a detailed description of job duties, projects, dates, and equipment operated. Experience must show projects involving ground-up builds.
- B.S. or B.A. Structural Engineering or Architecture degrees from accredited colleges may be substituted for 2 years experience.
- Project Manager experience or Construction Management Degree may be substituted for up to 1 year experience
Examination
To get the Colorado General Contractor License B you will need to pass the following ICC examination:
- ICC Exam #F12 National Standard Building (B)
- Construction Trade Skills
3. Residential General Contractor Class C
- Erect, add to, alter or repair one- and two-family dwellings
- U Occupancy buildings and attached single-unit dwellings (IRC townhouses)
- Demolition of one- and two-dwelling building or U Occupancy building or structures
- Foundations, Framing, and Roofing
Requirements
- 2 years experience in building construction
- Single family homes, duplexes, and townhomes
- Experience must have been gained as a journeyman carpenter or foreman
- Notarized letter providing a detailed description of job duties, projects, dates, and equipment operated. Experience must show projects involving ground-up builds.
- 1 Year of building construction design work may be substituted for an equal amount of on the job work experience.
Examination
To get the Colorado Residential General Contractor Class C license, you will need to pass the following ICC examination:
- ICC Exam #F13 National Standard Residential Building Contractor C
- Construction Trade Skills
General Contractor Licensing Application Process
The process of applying for a Contractor License in Denver is as follows:
- Complete a Supervisor’s Certificate
- Complete a Contractor License Application
You can apply Online
or
In-person at:
Contractor Licensing desk on the 2nd floor of the Webb Municipal Building
201 W. Colfax Ave.,Denver, CO 80202
By mail at:
Contractor Licensing,
201 W. Colfax Ave., Dept. 205,
Denver, CO 80202.
Application Fees
| Fee for General Contractor Class A | $250.00 |
| Fee for Building Contractor Class B | $250.00 |
| Fee for Residential Contractor Class C | $250.00 |
| Fee for Specialty Class D | $250.00 |
| Fee for all Mechanical License Types | $250.00 |
Construction Bonds in Colorado
Laws may differ throughout the state, however in Denver payment or performance bonds are required for projects with construction improvements made within the public right-of-way that total more than $20,000.00. You may also use a letter of credit.
You may submit completed Bonding forms to:
2000 W 3rd Ave3rd FloorDenver, CO 80223
Colorado Business License
Colorado allows those applying for the Contractor License to choose if they would like to set themselves up as a business entity.
If you already have a registered business entity and you would like to apply for a license in Denver then you must include the following documentation about your business along with your application.
Typically, there are 4 common business structures among construction professionals:
- Sole Proprietor – License held through an individual
- Partnership – License held through a partnership
- LLC – License held through a company that exists as its own entity
- S-Corporation – License held through a corporate entity
For a complete look at the differences between these business structures, check this guide.
For more information about getting a business license in Colorado and the nature of your business you can contact any of the following agencies:
- Colorado Secretary of State
- Colorado Department of Revenue
- Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA)
Worker’s Compensation
Colorado requires all business that have employees to carry worker’s compensation insurance, regardless of their construction trade.
Worker’s Compensation requirements for Colorado general contractor license applicants can be found on the website of the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment.
Colorado Contractor License Look-up
For consumers or homeowners looking to search for an active Colorado contractor license, you may access information on the Department of Regulatory Agencies search portal
Construction Apprenticeships in Colorado
Whether you are looking to become a journeyman in Colorado or begin a career in the construction industry, you will want to begin by mastering a trade.
One of the best ways to build a solid foundation in your career is by looking into an apprenticeship program.
These types of schools can provide you with valuable training in a trade.
Denver contractor license requirements, like the other classifications require a skill set beyond just trade knowledge.
If you are new to the world of construction and have heard the term “journeyman” or “apprentice” and are not sure what these terms mean, or perhaps where to even start.
Each state has different requirements and standards for certifications. To learn more about the step-by-step path from an Apprentice to Journeyman!
Blueprint Reading Course
For those looking to do pursue a career in construction or get the Colorado General Contractor license, reading construction blueprints is fundamental.
Blueprints communicate important information about the way in which a structure is built as well as what materials are necessary or have been used for its construction.
Being comfortable with construction blueprints is an invaluable skill for those looking to get a contractor license.
See our Free Blueprint Reading Course!
OSHA Safety Certifications
Statistically, 21% of all work-related fatalities are in construction.
That equals about 1 and 5 worker deaths on average.
In the construction industry, the leading cause of worker deaths is reported as falls, struck by an object, electrocution, and caught-in/between.
Safety is a huge part of managing a construction site. General Contractors should know everything about safely supervising a project.
If you or your workers are not properly trained, it can place unnecessary risk to not only your personal safety but your bottom line as a business.
For employment with a licensed general contractor in Colorado, you may be asked to complete some level of Osha Safety Training.
Get Started
Getting the Colorado general contractor license can be a huge step up in your career if you are looking to start your own business or become an RMO for a construction company!
The Construction industry is highly lucrative. Whether you are looking to get licensed in other states or offer handyman services in Colorado.
The key is to take action and follow these steps from beginning to end. Check out these blog posts for information on the licensing process for Louisiana, California, New Mexico, Georgia, Utah, Arizona, and Nevada
If you have found this article, be sure to let us know! and check back for more updates in the future.