How much permits cost to open in Denver

In Denver, the filings with a fixed government fee add up to about $0. 6 more are set by the space or the business, and 7 are free. Build-out, insurance and adviser costs are on top.

Updated October 17, 202613 filingsSources: the agencies' own sites

Application for Employer Identification Number (EIN)

Internal Revenue ServiceUS federal

Owners with an SSN or ITIN apply online. A company whose responsible party has neither (most China-based owners) faxes or mails Form SS-4, or calls the IRS international line.

Fee
Free
Filed
Paper form, faxed or mailed
Takes
Fax: about 4 business days. Mail: about 4 to 5 weeks. Phone: issued on the call.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Colorado sales tax and withholding registration

Colorado Department of RevenueCO

A business with a Colorado location applies in MyBizColorado for the sales tax license and the wage withholding account (or on paper Form CR0100); MyBizColorado also connects you with the Department of Labor and Employment to set up unemployment insurance.

Fee
Varies
Filed
Filed online
Takes
Applied for online, the account number is shown online; the sales tax license arrives by mail.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Create/Update Importer Identity Form

U.S. Customs and Border ProtectionUS federal

Sent to CBP (usually through your customs broker), or created in the ACE portal. Needed before your first entry as importer of record.

Fee
Free
Filed
Paper form, mailed
Takes
Up to 5 business days.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Customs Bond

U.S. Customs and Border ProtectionUS federal

Bought from a CBP-approved surety, usually through your customs broker, who files it electronically. A continuous bond covers a year of entries.

Fee
Varies
Filed
Filed on the agency's portal
Takes
At least 5 business days for review.
Renews
Continuous bonds renew yearly.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
ACE Secure Data Portal account for importers

U.S. Customs and Border ProtectionUS federal

Applied for online in ACE. Lets you see your entries, duties and bond.

Fee
Free
Filed
Filed online

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Cosmetic product facility registration (MoCRA)

U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationUS federal

Filed online in Cosmetics Direct by the facility that makes or processes the cosmetics.

Fee
Free
Filed
Filed online
Renews
Every two years.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Cosmetic product listing (MoCRA)

U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationUS federal

Filed online in Cosmetics Direct by the brand (the responsible person on the label), one listing per product.

Fee
Free
Filed
Filed online
Renews
Update every year.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Denver sales tax license

City and County of Denver, Department of Finance, TreasuryDenver

Denver collects its own sales tax: a Denver business making retail sales registers in the eBiz Tax Center. With staff working in Denver, also register for the Occupational Privilege Tax.

Fee
Free
Filed
Filed online
Renews
Every 2 years.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Product safety certificate, filed electronically at entry

U.S. Consumer Product Safety CommissionUS federal

The importer issues the certificate itself (there is no government form) and, under the eFiling rule, files the certificate data with CBP at entry.

Fee
Free
Filed
Filed online

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Denver zoning use permit

Denver Community Planning and DevelopmentDenver

Apply on e-permits (select Zoning Permit); the permit is issued once its fee is paid, and lapses unless a building permit or certificate of occupancy follows within 180 days. Denver's retail food license won't issue without it.

Fee
Varies
Filed
Filed on the agency's portal

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Hazardous materials registration

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (DOT)US federal

Filed online when you ship or offer certain hazardous materials in bulk, such as large lithium battery shipments.

Fee
Varies
Filed
Filed online
Renews
Every year by June 30.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Food establishment plan review

Denver Department of Public Health and EnvironmentDenver

Denver Public Health lists plan review among the steps to open a food business, and its inspection comes before the retail food license.

Fee
Varies
Filed
Filed on the agency's portal

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Denver retail food establishment license

City and County of Denver, Business LicensingDenver

Apply in Denver's Online Permitting and Licensing Center with the entity and on-site manager details, and the Denver sales tax license if you sell taxable goods. After review, Development Services, the Fire Department, Public Health and Zoning inspect.

Fee
Varies
Filed
Filed online
Takes
Denver aims to review a complete application within seven business days; the inspections follow.
Renews
Every year; renew online before it expires.

File on the agency's site How to fill it

Guides for each business in Denver

Agency requirements change. Check each agency's page before you file.

Get the plan for your business in Denver

This guide covers the city. Your exact address decides the county, the health district and the zoning. Placetta maps every filing for it, fills the official forms from your details, adds the deadlines and puts them up for your approval.

The full list for your address, in filing order
The official forms, filled line by line
Renewal and inspection reminders