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How to vet a contractor in Colorado

Which Colorado trades are licensed by the state, which are licensed locally, and how to check before you hire.

By Zachary Tye Wennstedt, founder of Eye To Ad Media ยท Updated September 29, 2026

Colorado splits contractor licensing between the state and local governments, which confuses a lot of homeowners. Here's the short version.

Licensed by the state

  • Plumbers and electricians are licensed through DORA (the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies). You can look up a license online before work starts.
  • Household movers and towing carriers are regulated by the Public Utilities Commission.
  • Commercial pest control applicators are licensed by the Colorado Department of Agriculture.

Licensed or registered locally

General contractors and roofers are not licensed statewide in Colorado. Many cities and counties require their own license or registration, so ask for the one that matches your address.

Five checks before you sign

  1. Verify the license or registration.
  2. Ask for proof of insurance.
  3. Get a written scope and price.
  4. Tie payments to finished work, not dates.
  5. Ask who pulls the permit.

Find pros near you

Browse plumbers, electricians, roofers and general contractors across Colorado, or search by city at the top of this page.

Common questions

Does Colorado license roofers?

Colorado does not license roofers at the state level, but many cities and counties require a local license or registration.

How do I check a plumber's license in Colorado?

Plumbers are licensed through DORA, which has an online license lookup.

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