Getting your Colorado license starts here...
In Colorado, there is no single statewide general contractor license issued at the state level. Instead, contractor licensing is handled primarily by local municipalities and counties. For example, cities like Denver, Colorado Springs, and Aurora maintain their own licensing requirements for general, building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing contractors. Electrical and plumbing contractors, however, are licensed and regulated statewide through the Colorado Electrical Board and Colorado Plumbing Board, both part of the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA).
Typical requirements include proof of experience, passing trade exams, liability insurance, and surety bonds, depending on the jurisdiction and license type.
Contractor Licensing Inc. simplifies the Colorado process. With more than 18 years of experience, our family-run team helps contractors navigate city and state requirements, prepare for trade exams, and obtain the right bonds and insurance so projects can move forward without delay.
Official resource: Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations – Contractors
Colorado Construction License Categories:
Colorado Contractor License Requirements & Application Help
Colorado is one of a handful of states with no statewide general contractor license. Instead, most GC and trade licensing happens at the city or county level — Denver, Colorado Springs, and Aurora all run their own systems. The two exceptions are Electrical and Plumbing, which are licensed statewide through the Colorado Electrical Board and Colorado Plumbing Board (both under DORA).
Contractor Licensing Inc. has 18+ years of experience helping contractors navigate both the state and local layers, prepare for trade exams, and secure the right bonds and insurance.
Statewide vs. Local Licensing
Statewide (DORA) — Electrical
Colorado Electrical Board licenses Electrical Contractor companies (must employ a master electrician) and individuals: Residential Wireman, Journeyman, and Master Electrician.
Statewide (DORA) — Plumbing
Colorado Plumbing Board licenses Plumbing Contractor companies (must employ a master plumber) and individuals: Residential, Journeyman, and Master Plumber.
Local — General Contracting
GC Class A/B/C, roofing, mechanical/HVAC, gasfitting, concrete/excavation, and low-voltage/fire are all licensed by the individual city or county where you're working.
No Universal Bond
Colorado has no statewide contractor license bond. Cities and counties often require their own license or permit bonds — amounts and forms vary by jurisdiction.
Colorado Contractor License Reciprocity
Electrical — Journeyman
Colorado's State Electrical Board grants journeyman reciprocity to applicants whose licensing state is a member in good standing of the National Electrical Reciprocal Alliance (NERA), or that has a direct agreement with the Board. Confirmed eligible states include Alaska, Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming.
You must hold your out-of-state journeyman or master license for at least one year, have earned it via state exam (not grandfathering), and it must be current and in good standing.
Electrical — Master (Correction)
Colorado's own regulation (3 CCR 710-1) explicitly states a Master Electrician license may NOT be granted by reciprocity. The previous version of this page listed master electrician reciprocity alongside journeyman — that's inaccurate. Only journeyman-level reciprocity is available; master electricians must apply and test in Colorado directly.
Plumbing Reciprocity
Colorado does not offer blanket, state-to-state plumbing reciprocity. Out-of-state applicants are evaluated case-by-case by the Colorado Plumbing Board, which reviews whether the issuing state's exam, training hours, and code base are comparable to Colorado's standards. A license from another state does not automatically transfer or waive the exam — applicants should confirm their specific situation directly with the Board before assuming any waiver applies.
General Contractors — Local Only
Since there's no statewide GC license, reciprocity for general contracting depends entirely on the city or county where you plan to work. Denver, Colorado Springs, Aurora, and other municipalities each set their own recognition policies for out-of-state licenses — always confirm directly with the local building department.
Colorado City & District Contractor Bonds
Since GC licensing is local, so are the bonds. Here's every Colorado bond in our database — cities, water/sanitation districts, and Denver's several specialty classes.
View all 21 Colorado local & district bonds
| Jurisdiction | Trade | Amount | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bancroft-Clover Water & Sanitation District | Contractor License | $5,000 | Apply Now |
| City of Arvada | Municipal Contractors License | $20,000 | Apply Now |
| City of Aurora | Contractor License | $20,000 | Apply Now |
| City of Boulder | Right of Way Contractor | $5,000 | Apply Now |
| City of Colorado Springs | Concrete Contractor | $5,000 | Apply Now |
| City of Denver | Alley Paving Contractor | $25,000 | Apply Now |
| City of Denver | Cement Sidewalk Contractor | $10,000 | Apply Now |
| City of Denver | Excavation Contractor | $50,000 | Apply Now |
| City of Denver | Paving Contractor | $50,000 | Apply Now |
| City of Durango | Plumbing Contractor | $5,000 | Apply Now |
| City of Englewood | Concrete Contractor | $10,000 | Apply Now |
| City of La Junta | Concrete Contractor License | Varies | Apply Now |
| City of Pueblo | Contractors License | $5,000 | Apply Now |
| City of Trinidad | Contractor License | $5,000 | Apply Now |
| City of Westminster | Class D Public Way Contractor | $5,000 | Apply Now |
| Denver | General Contractor License | $50,000 | Apply Now |
| Denver | Special Contractor | $10,000 | Apply Now |
| Denver | Structural Contractor | $25,000 | Apply Now |
| Denver | Water Service Contractor | $5,000 | Apply Now |
| Mountain Water & Sanitation District | Sewer Contractor | Varies | Apply Now |
| South Adams County Water & Sanitation District | Sewer Contractor | $5,000 | Apply Now |
Check Your Local Jurisdiction
GC and specialty trade licensing, testing, insurance, and bond requirements are set locally — always confirm with the city or county building department where you'll be working (e.g., Denver, Colorado Springs, Aurora, Fort Collins).
Colorado DPO (DORA)Ready to Get Your Colorado Contractor License?
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