Are you starting a landscaping business in Colorado? Wonderful! With the state’s continuous growth, diverse communities, and beautiful natural landscapes, this will be a plus point for your business, offering plenty of opportunities.
Colorado’s vibrant economy, love for outdoor living spaces, and appreciation for aesthetic greenery make it an ideal place to launch your landscaping venture.
But before you grab your shovel and begin turning dreams into reality, you must understand the licensing, certification, and insurance requirements you’ll need to meet.
Getting familiar with these rules early on will help you comply with local and state laws and build trust with your future customers.
Licensing Requirements For
1. Landscaping Business
Landscaping Contractor License
In Colorado, not all landscaping activities require a specific state license. However, if your services include specialized tasks such as plumbing or electrical work—like installing irrigation systems, outdoor lighting, or building complex retaining walls—you may need a specialized contractor’s license. These specialized trades are strictly regulated to ensure safety and quality, so you must be properly licensed if your work falls into these categories.
Size-Based License Levels
Depending on the type and size of your landscaping projects, different local regulations might apply. Some cities and counties differentiate licensing requirements based on project size:
- Small Projects: Covering up to 5,000 square feet. Basic landscaping work, such as planting, basic lawn care, and installing minor features, often falls into this category.
- Medium Projects: Between 5,001 and 15,000 square feet. These may include more complex garden designs, larger irrigation systems, or the installation of small retaining walls.
- Large Projects: More than 15,000 square feet. Major landscaping jobs like golf courses, commercial property landscaping, and estate grounds typically fall into this category and often require more permits and inspections.
Subcontractors
If you plan to hire subcontractors for specialized portions of your landscaping projects (for example, irrigation experts, electricians for outdoor lighting, or plumbers for water features), make sure they hold the required licenses.
They might not need separate licenses if they’re working under a licensed general contractor (which could be you if you hold the appropriate license). Always verify licenses to avoid legal trouble down the road.
Learn more about contractor licensing by visiting the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies.
2. Pest Control
If your landscaping services include applying pesticides or herbicides for lawn care, weed control, or tree pest management, you will need a Commercial Applicator License from the Colorado Department of Agriculture.
To get licensed, you must follow the following steps:
Core and Category Exams: The core exam covers basic pesticide or insecticide safety, and category exams focus on the areas (like turf pests or ornamental trees).
Attend Safety Meetings: Stay up-to-date with pesticide safety training.
More information can be found at Colorado Pesticide Applicator Licensing.
3. Nursery Dealer
If you plan to sell plants, shrubs, or trees as part of your landscaping services, you’ll need to obtain a Nursery Dealer License from the Colorado Department of Agriculture.
This license ensures that the plants you sell are healthy, pest-free, and disease-free, protecting local agriculture and natural habitats. It’s especially important if your landscaping design includes providing plant materials directly to customers.
You can apply to the Colorado Nursery Program.
4. Other Requirements
Surety Bond
In some cases, particularly for larger projects or in specific municipalities, you may need to post a surety bond. This is typically a form of financial guarantee (usually around $1,000 or more) to ensure that your project will be completed according to agreed-upon standards and that clients will be protected in case of contract breaches.
Insurance
Insurance is not just a wise business practice; in some cases, it’s legally required. Carrying adequate insurance protects you, your employees, and your customers. Recommended coverage includes:
Public Liability Insurance:
- $100,000 for bodily injury per occurrence
- $50,000 for property damage per occurrence
- $5,000 for medical payments
Having the right insurance can also make your business more attractive to potential customers who prefer working with licensed and insured contractors.
Business Registration
Before offering your services, you must register your business with the State of Colorado.
This involves:
- Choosing a business name
- Selecting a business structure (such as LLC, sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation)
- Obtaining an EIN (Employer Identification Number) from the IRS if you plan to hire employees.
You can start this process at the Colorado Business Registration Portal.
Important Links You Should Know
- Verify Colorado Business License – For verifying a Colorado professional or business license.
- Colorado Department of Agriculture Main Site – For updates and additional agricultural business regulations.
- Colorado Small Business Development Center – Free business consulting and training for small businesses.
Notes
When you apply for a license, always carefully review the application forms, requirements, processing times, and associated fees.
Keep in mind that licenses such as the pesticide applicator license and nursery dealer license typically require annual renewals and may involve continuing education courses.
Staying on top of these requirements will ensure your landscaping business remains in good standing year after year.
