Colorado Contractor License Bond
What is a Colorado contractor license bond?
The state of Colorado requires some contractors to obtain a bond as part of the licensing process. The type of bond and amount needed may vary depending on the specific work. The following contractors may need to secure a surety bond to work in cities like Denver, Aurora, Colorado Springs, and Arvada:
- Sewer contractors
- Sidewalk contractors
- Structural contractors
- Paving contractors
- Special contractors
Colorado contractor license bonds ensure contractors act as legally compliant professionals, following all rules and regulations regarding building codes, taxes, etc. If a contractor breaks the law, the surety bond helps protects parties that suffer harm or experience devastating financial effects as a result.
Colorado contractor license bonds are contracts between three entities:
- The contracted company (the principal)
- The city requiring the bond for the work taking place in their area (the obligee)
- An organization taking on the responsibility for incidents that may occur (the surety)
Learn more about how contractor license bonds work in our complete guide.
Get Your Colorado Contractor License Bond:
Colorado Contractor License Bond Requirements
A Colorado contractor license is issued for a one-year term and must be renewed annually. Be sure to note the date of issuance and read the fine print to ensure coverage doesn’t lapse on multi-year projects. Many contractors can get their license bonds for as low as 1% of the total bond amount.
If you plan to operate your business in any of the following cities in Colorado, you may need a surety bond first. Check with your local governing organization (or contact ZipBonds) to know for sure. Here are the types of license bonds and amounts required for each location.
- Arvada municipal contractor bond: $20,000
- Aurora contractor license bond: $10,000
- Colorado Springs concrete contractor bond: $5,000
- Denver sidewalk contractor bond: $10,000
- Denver structural contractor bond: $25,000
- Denver sewer contractor bond: $50,000
- Denver general contractor bond: $50,000
- Denver paving contractor bond: $50,000
- Denver water service contractor bond: $5,000
- Denver special contractor license bond: $10,000
- Englewood concrete contractor bond: $5,000
You may also need contractor license bonds in Denver County, Pueblo, Trinidad, and Fort Collins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be a licensed contractor to be eligible for a license bond in Colorado?
Unlike many states, Colorado doesn’t require general contractor licensing at the state level. However, contractors must be licensed to work in most municipalities. In some municipalities, you may need a contractor license bond to get your license.
You can find contractor license applications through your city’s planning, zoning, and development website pages or staff. When you apply for your business license, your licensing authority will let you know if you need a contractor license bond to complete the process.
Are right-of-way licenses required in Colorado?
Right-of-way licenses are often required for construction projects occurring on public property. You can learn about City and County of Denver requirements on denvergov.org. If you need a statewide perspective, you can visit the Colorado Contractors Association website.
Get Your Contractor License Bond in Colorado
ZipBonds is the fastest and most secure option for getting bonded. Our all-digital platform is intuitive and straightforward. Apply for your contractor license bond online, email support@zipbonds.com, or call 888.435.4191 to speak with an agent directly.
About ZipBonds.com
Founders Ryan Swalve and Zach Mefferd formed the vision for ZipBonds.com when they realized how overly complicated it was to help clients place surety. The frustration of being unable to incorporate the technology they’d used in other insurance-focused projects left them thinking “there has to be a better way.”
Fast forward a couple of years, and that better way is the impetus of everything we do at ZipBonds. We constantly look for innovative ways to improve the bonding process for our clients and agents. Our team comprises individuals who understand all angles of surety – for companies, agencies, and individuals. Incorporating everyone’s point of view to improve the process while simultaneously integrating cutting-edge technology is what sets our business apart.