Plumber Permits & Licenses in Fort Collins, CO

Required for all LLCs to legally form the entity. Online filing via A&S Online system.

Annual report required for all LLCs to maintain good standing.

Required for any business entity engaging in plumbing contracting. Must designate a Supervising Plumber who holds a Journeyman or Master license. Applies statewide.

Individual prerequisite for business license: 4 years experience or approved apprenticeship + exam. Business must employ/affiliate with licensed Journeyman or Master Plumber as supervisor.

Prerequisite: 5 years as Journeyman + exam. Not strictly required for basic contractor license but often held by business owners/supervisors.

Colorado does not require DBA filing for most uses but name must not be misleading and reservation recommended. No statewide DBA certificate needed.

Plumbers may be required to collect sales tax on materials sold and installed. Labor for repairs is generally not taxable unless bundled with taxable materials. Registration is done via the Colorado Taxpayer Access Point (TAP).

Required for all employers in Colorado. Includes withholding state income tax from employee wages. Registration via Colorado TAP system.

Employers must register with the Colorado Unemployment Insurance program. New employers pay a standard rate of 0.06% on first $13,000 in wages per employee (2024 rate).

Required for all LLCs with employees or that file employment, excise, or alcohol/tobacco/firearms tax returns. Single-member LLCs without employees may use owner’s SSN, but EIN is recommended for liability protection.

All Colorado LLCs must pay the Colorado Franchise Tax, which is based on net income apportioned to Colorado. Minimum tax is $50. Due annually with Form DR 0104LLC.

Most cities and counties in Colorado require a local business license or privilege tax. Fees and requirements vary. Examples: Denver Business License, Aurora Business Tax Registration. Check with city clerk’s office.

Applies to sole proprietors and partners. Paid via IRS Form 1040-ES (estimated tax). Not required if electing S-corp status and taking reasonable salary.

Single-member LLCs report on Schedule C of owner’s 1040. Multi-member LLCs file Form 1065. S-corps file Form 1120-S. Due March 15.

Requires passing journeyman or master plumber exam; reciprocity possible if licensed in other states. Local jurisdictions may require additional registration.

Plumbing contractors require specific trade license under Denver Revised Municipal Code Chapter 12. Specific plumbing license fee ~$75 initial/$50 renewal.

Required for all new or changed business locations per Denver Building and Fire Code.

Governed by Denver Zoning Code Article IV.

Plumbing businesses with storage of flammable materials may need hazardous materials permit.

Required per Denver Revised Municipal Code Sec. 25-11-1.

No separate city license in Colorado Springs; state contractor registration suffices for trades.

Plumbing office may qualify as home occupation if <25% floor area per City Code Sec. 14.1.631.

Required for interior alterations per 2021 International Building Code as adopted.

Plumbing businesses classified under construction trades.

Includes hazardous materials review for plumbing solvents/pipes.

No general business license; zoning approval required per Aurora Municipal Code Title 146.

Required for all employers with one or more employees, including part-time and minor employees. Sole proprietors are not required to cover themselves unless they elect coverage. Exemption available only for sole proprietors with no employees.

Not legally required by the state of Colorado, but strongly recommended and often required by contracts, landlords, or municipalities. May be required for local business licensing in some jurisdictions.

Not required by Colorado state law or licensing authority. However, it is strongly recommended for plumbers to protect against claims of negligence, faulty work, or design errors. Not a substitute for workers' comp or general liability.

A $15,000 surety bond is required for all plumbing contractors (including LLCs) licensed by DORA. The bond protects consumers against violations of state plumbing rules or contract fraud. Bond must be issued by a surety licensed in Colorado.

Required for any vehicle registered to the business or used for business purposes. Personal auto policies do not cover business use. Minimum liability limits: $25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 per accident, $15,000 property damage (25/50/15).

Not required by law, but highly recommended if the business sells or installs plumbing products. May be necessary to satisfy distributor or supplier agreements. Covered under broader general liability or product liability policies.

Not required for plumbing businesses unless the business hosts events with alcohol service. Not applicable to standard plumbing operations.

The $15,000 surety bond is a condition of licensure for all plumbing contractors in Colorado, including LLCs. This is a license bond, not a performance bond. Enforced by DORA as part of contractor registration.

Required for all LLCs, regardless of employee count. Even single-member LLCs should obtain an EIN to separate business and personal finances. This is a prerequisite for other federal obligations.

A single-member LLC is disregarded as an entity for federal tax purposes and reports income on Schedule C of Form 1040. Multi-member LLCs are treated as partnerships and must file Form 1065. All members pay self-employment tax on net earnings via Schedule SE.

All employers with employees must comply with OSHA safety standards. Plumber businesses must provide a safe workplace, train employees on hazards (e.g., trenching, pipefitting, chemical exposure), and report work-related fatalities within 8 hours or hospitalizations within 24 hours. Even small businesses must display OSHA’s Job Safety and Health poster (available free online).

If the plumbing business serves customers in person or online, it must comply with Title III of the ADA. This includes accessible service counters, restrooms (if applicable), and digital accessibility (e.g., website for scheduling). While enforcement often follows complaints, proactive compliance is required.

Required for any firm that performs renovation, repair, or painting activities that disturb more than 6 square feet of interior paint or 20 square feet of exterior paint in pre-1978 housing. Includes training, certification, and following lead-safe work practices. Applies even if plumbing is the primary service if pipe replacement or fixture installation involves paint disturbance.

If the plumbing business uses phone calls or text messages to market services, it must comply with the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and FTC’s Telemarketing Sales Rule. This includes honoring the National Do Not Call Registry, obtaining consent for autodialed or prerecorded calls, and providing opt-out mechanisms.

Applies to all employers with employees. Requires payment of federal minimum wage ($7.25/hour), overtime pay (1.5x regular rate for hours over 40/week), proper recordkeeping, and youth employment standards. Plumbing businesses must classify workers correctly (employee vs. independent contractor) to avoid misclassification penalties.

All U.S. employers must complete Form I-9 to verify identity and work authorization for every employee hired. Applies to all employees regardless of citizenship. Employers must retain forms for 3 years after hire or 1 year after employment ends, whichever is later.

Requires eligible employers to provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year for qualifying medical and family reasons. Applies only to plumbing businesses meeting the employee threshold. Employers must post the FMLA notice and provide eligible employees with rights notices.

There are no federal licensing requirements specifically for plumbers. Licensing and permitting are handled at the state and local level in Colorado. This federal-level assessment confirms absence of mandates from agencies such as FDA, ATF, FCC, DOT, or FAA for standard plumbing operations.

All Colorado LLCs must file an Annual Report with the Secretary of State to remain in good standing. The report is due every year on the anniversary of the LLC’s formation date. Example: If formed on March 15, 2023, the report is due by March 31 each year thereafter.

Plumbers must renew their individual license every two years. The renewal is due in the licensee’s birth month. Renewal requires completion of 8 hours of board-approved continuing education per renewal cycle.

8 hours of board-approved continuing education required per two-year renewal cycle. Courses must be from DORA-approved providers and include at least 1 hour of code updates. CE must be retained for 4 years.

Employers must register for withholding tax, file periodic returns (monthly/quarterly), and issue Form W-2 by January 31. Frequency determined by the Department of Revenue based on payroll volume.

Colorado does not charge a renewal fee for sales tax licenses, but returns must be filed on schedule. Plumbers may collect sales tax on materials sold. Filing frequency is assigned by CDOR.

EIN is a one-time assignment, but ongoing tax reporting (e.g., Form 941, 940, W-2) is required. Form 941 due April 30, July 31, October 31, January 31. Form 940 due January 31.

All businesses must file a personal property declaration with the county assessor listing tools, vehicles, equipment, and other assets used in business. Required even if no property is owned. Due April 30 each year.

Licensed plumbers must display their current Colorado plumbing license at the place of business or carry it when working on job sites. Digital copies are acceptable if readily accessible.

Employers must display current posters on minimum wage, OSHA, EEO, Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and Colorado Paid Sick Leave. Posters must be in English and Spanish if applicable. Updated versions must be posted promptly.

Federal law requires retention of tax records for at least 3 years. Colorado requires 4 years for sales tax records. Licenses and CE certificates must be kept for 4 years. Employment records must be kept for at least 3 years.

Businesses with 10+ employees must maintain OSHA Form 300 (Log of Injuries), Form 301 (Incident Report), and post Form 300A (Summary) annually. Electronic submission required for certain industries.

Employers must report the number of employees and the amount of paid sick leave accrued and used annually to CDLE by January 31. Applies to all employers with employees in Colorado.