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Doing Business in Fort Collins#

The Fort Collins Economic Health Office is here to help you navigate through all local resources that are available to your business.

Starting a business in Fort Collins?#

New Business Roadmap

This roadmap will walk you through everything you need to know about starting a business in Fort Collins from selecting a location to sales tax, utilities and more.

Learn More

Guía Para Nuevos Negocios

Este documento le guiará a través de todo lo que necesita saber acerca de iniciar un negocio en Fort Collins, desde la selección de una ubicación hasta impuestos sobre las ventas, servicios y más.

Aprende Más

General Business Guide#

New to Business in Fort Collins? Start Here! 

This guide provides a general overview of the steps to start your business. Not all steps may apply to your situation, but the goal is to give you a comprehensive framework to navigate your journey. Adapt the information to fit the unique needs of your business.  

1. Ideation and Research#

  • Identify business idea and concepts. 
  • Use resources to help you create a business plan and receive business guidance and consulting if necessary:  

2. Legal Formation#

  • MyBizColorado is the fastest way to register and manage your business. This is the official filing tool for the State of Colorado. 
    • Start the MyBizColorado process here.
    • You will be asked a series of questions about your business to determine what type of documents you will need to file. 
      • If you have questions about what type of business entity you should register as, consult an accountant or attorney. 
      • For more assistance, visit the Larimer SBDC Events/Workshop website “Make It Official” class. 
  • Open a business bank account with your Employer Identification Number you obtained from the IRS. 
  • Consider business insurance to protect yourself and your business. 
  • Register for a Sales Tax/Business License with the City of Fort Collins.  

3. Selecting a location, where can I do business?#

This doesn’t apply to you if you’re not looking for a physical location.  

If you need further assistance with any of these steps and want to check if you meet all the required permits and licenses, make an appointment here with a business connector or contact the MBEC directly. 

1. Ideation and Research#

  • Identify business idea and concepts. 
  • Use resources to help you create a business plan and receive business guidance and consulting if necessary:  
    • Multicultural Business and Entrepreneur Center (MBEC)- Provides bilingual (Spanish & English) general business support, permit and licensing navigation and connects you to resources tailored to your specific needs. Make an appointment with the MBEC here or connect with one of our business connectors. 
    • Larimer Small Business Development Center (SBDC)- Provides comprehensive and targeted consulting, training, and workshops to businesses from: ideation to business exit planning. Their educational training pillars includes startup fundamentals, marketing know- how, financial literacy and strategic business planning. Consulting is free and confidential while clients identify action steps to move their business forward. 
    • Poudre River Public Library District- Provides market research, business planning and assistance for businesses and nonprofits.  
    • City of Fort Collins Economic Health Office- Provides assistance in navigating local resources available to your business. 
      • A business liaison for capital projects is in place to help businesses navigate major City construction and help mitigate the impacts felt from those projects. 
    • Contact Michael Bussmann: mbussmann@fcgov.com.  
    • CSU Institute for Entrepreneurship- The College of Business at Colorado State University offers the "Venture Validator" program, providing free programming and mentorship to entrepreneurs and innovators. This program helps validate ideas, launch successful ventures, and build an entrepreneurial mindset, while also facilitating connections with business leaders and strategic partners to support startups. 

2. Legal Formation#

  • MyBizColorado is the fastest way to register and manage your business. This is the official filing tool for the State of Colorado. 
    • Start the MyBizColorado process here. 
    • You will be asked a series of questions about your business to determine what type of documents you will need to file. 
      • If you have questions about what type of business entity you should register as, consult an accountant or attorney. 
      • For more assistance, visit the Larimer SBDC Events/Workshop website “Make It Official” class. 
  • Open a business bank account with your Employer Identification Number you obtained from the IRS. 
  • Consider business insurance to protect yourself and your business. 
  • Register for a Sales Tax/Business License with the City of Fort Collins.  

3. Licenses and Paperwork#

  • Review The Larimer County Guide to Starting a Food Business. 
  • Identify if your food product is Cottage or Non Cottage. 
    • Colorado Cottage Foods Act, allows limited types of food products that are non-potentially hazardous (do not require refrigeration for safety) to be sold directly to consumers without licensing or inspections. 

For Cottage Foods#

Read through this complete Cottage Foods guide and complete requirements. This includes: 

  1. Eligible foods 
  2. Selling Cottage Foods 
  3. Required training and certificates 
  4. Packaging and Labeling 
  5. Food Testing and Laboratory Services 

Contact (303) 692-3645 or email cdphe_mfgfd@state.co.us for questions and more information. 

After completing these steps, move to step four if you decide to become an outdoor vendor.  

For more assistance during this process and to make sure you are ready to sell email Larimer Health and Environmental department at eh@co.larimer.co.us.

For Non Cottage Foods:#

Larimer Health and Environment Department 

  1. Complete Safeserv Manager training and exam. 
  2. Sign up for in-person classes from Larimer County Colorado State University Extension. 
  3. Review this document to understand Food Mobile Unit Requirements. 
  4. Complete and submit Mobile Food Establishment Plan Review application. 
  5. Submit to the health online portal or in person at 1525 Blue Spruce Dr. 

 For more information and general inquiries contact eh@co.larimer.co.us.  

Some foods will require testing. You will be notified by Health Department what foods will need additional testing once you submit your menu and ingredients in the Mobile Food Establishment Plan Review. 

Visit Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment: Food Testing for more information. 

For Food Testing contact: 

Chemistry (chemicals in food or water):
CDPHE_chemistry@state.co.us.
Specify the chemistry topic in the email subject line.
Chemistry laboratory voicemail line: 303-692-3048.

4. Poudre Fire Authority#

All mobile food vendors operating within the Poudre Fire Authority Jurisdiction must receive an annual inspection and permit from the Poudre Fire Authority.

To obtain a permit submit the Mobile Food Vendor Permit Application. 

For more information on requirements and tips for success visit PFA Food Truck/Mobile Vendors website. 

5. Outdoor Vendor and Choosing a Location#

If you hope to vend for more than three days per week and your location is not currently one of the approved stationary vending sites, then you and the property owner need to contact Zoning to explore the minor amendment process for that location. 

Contact: zoning@fcgov.com or 970-416-2745 for questions and more information.

Sustainability Initiatives#

Consider reaching out to NOCOBiz Connect as you embark on your entrepreneurial journey with a commitment to sustainability. Free bilingual program, supported by the City of Fort Collins, is dedicated to promoting and supporting sustainable initiatives within our business community. They offer valuable resources and guidance to help you integrate environmental and socio-economic practices into your business operations. 

Email monarcagroup23@gmail.com or fill out their contact form to get started.

6. Launch#

Congratulations! Your food truck is now open and ready to serve in Fort Collins. Best of luck on your new journey! 

Timeline: 3-6 months—time is estimated and subject to change from project to project. 

 

1. Ideation and Research#

  • Identify business idea and concepts. 
  • Use resources to help you create a business plan and receive business guidance and consulting if necessary:  
    • Multicultural Business and Entrepreneur Center (MBEC)- Provides bilingual (Spanish & English) general business support, permit and licensing navigation and connects you to resources tailored to your specific needs. Make an appointment with the MBEC here or connect with one of our business connectors. 
    • Larimer Small Business Development Center (SBDC)- Provides comprehensive and targeted consulting, training, and workshops to businesses from: ideation to business exit planning. Their educational training pillars includes startup fundamentals, marketing know- how, financial literacy and strategic business planning. Consulting is free and confidential while clients identify action steps to move their business forward. 
    • Poudre River Public Library District- Provides market research, business planning and assistance for businesses and nonprofits.  
    • City of Fort Collins Economic Health Office- Provides assistance in navigating local resources available to your business. 
      • A business liaison for capital projects is in place to help businesses navigate major City construction and help mitigate the impacts felt from those projects. 
    • Contact Michael Bussmann: mbussmann@fcgov.com. 
    • CSU Institute for Entrepreneurship- The College of Business at Colorado State University offers the "Venture Validator" program, providing free programming and mentorship to entrepreneurs and innovators. This program helps validate ideas, launch successful ventures, and build an entrepreneurial mindset, while also facilitating connections with business leaders and strategic partners to support startups. 

2. Legal Formation#

  • MyBizColorado is the fastest way to register and manage your business. This is the official filing tool for the State of Colorado. 
    • Start the MyBizColorado process here.
    • You will be asked a series of questions about your business to determine what type of documents you will need to file. 
      • If you have questions about what type of business entity you should register as, consult an accountant or attorney. 
      • For more assistance, visit the Larimer SBDC Events/Workshop website “Make It Official” class. 
  • Open a business bank account with your Employer Identification Number you obtained from the IRS. 
  • Consider business insurance to protect yourself and your business. 
  • Register for a Sales Tax/Business License with the City of Fort Collins.  

3. Selecting a Location for Your Business#

This doesn’t apply to you if you’re not looking for a physical location.  

Use this restaurant road map to help you navigate and understand the Development Review process. 

The restaurant road map provides you with eight steps to get you started with zoning, permits, fees, assistance, processes and standards (land use rules) to get started. 

If you need further assistance with any of these steps and want to check if you meet all the required permits and licenses, make an appointment here with a business connector or contact the MBEC directly. 

Utilities#

The Utilities Business Resource Team guides you and connects you to energy and water resources for your business. They assist business customers with resources to manage their utilities.  

For assistance and questions contact the Utilities Business Resource Team at 970-416-4268 or email: UtilitiesBizResourceTeam@fcgov.com.

Get started with our local internet service, community owned broadband service provider Connexion:

Licenses and Paperwork#

  • Review The Larimer County Guide to Starting a Food Business. 
  • Identify if your food product is Cottage or Non Cottage. 
    • Colorado Cottage Foods Act, allows limited types of food products that are non-potentially hazardous (do not require refrigeration for safety) to be sold directly to consumers without licensing or inspections. 

For Cottage Foods#

Read through this complete Cottage Foods guide and complete requirements. This includes: 

  1. Eligible foods 
  2. Selling Cottage Foods 
  3. Required training and certificates 
  4. Packaging and Labeling 
  5. Food Testing and Laboratory Services 

Contact (303) 692-3645 or email cdphe_mfgfd@state.co.us for questions and more information. 

After completing these steps, move to step four if you decide to become an outdoor vendor.  

For more assistance during this process and to make sure you are ready to sell email Larimer Health and Environmental department at eh@co.larimer.co.us.

For Non-Cottage Foods:#

Sustainability Initiatives#

Consider reaching out to NOCOBiz Connect as you embark on your entrepreneurial journey with a commitment to sustainability. A free bilingual program, supported by the City of Fort Collins, NOCOBiz Connect is dedicated to promoting and supporting sustainable initiatives within our business community. They offer valuable resources and guidance to help you integrate environmental and socio-economic practices into your business operations. 

Email monarcagroup23@gmail.com or fill out their contact form to get started.

1. Ideation and Research#

  • Identify business idea and concepts. 
  • Use resources to help you create a business plan and receive business guidance and consulting if necessary:  

2. Legal Formation#

  • MyBizColorado is the fastest way to register and manage your business. This is the official filing tool for the State of Colorado. 
    • Start the MyBizColorado process here.
    • You will be asked a series of questions about your business to determine what type of documents you will need to file. 
      • If you have questions about what type of business entity you should register as, consult an accountant or attorney. 
      • For more assistance, visit the Larimer SBDC Events/Workshop website “Make It Official” class. 
  • Open a business bank account with your Employer Identification Number you obtained from the IRS. 
  • Consider business insurance to protect yourself and your business. 
  • Register for a Sales Tax/Business License with the City of Fort Collins.  

3. Licenses and Paperwork#

  • Determine your specific trade and what license class fits your business best. Read through descriptions of “General Contractor” and “Specialized Trade Contractor”  https://www.fcgov.com/building/contractor  
      • General Contractor 
      • Specialized Trade Contractor 
      • Master Electrician/Plumber 
      • Exempt Contractor 
    • Once you have identified the correct license type, submit your application to the Development Review Center through email or in person: 
  • Once you have the proper licenses and are conducting work in the City of Fort Collins, it’s important to check requirements and permits for your project: 

Larimer County Permits#

Larimer County permits are ONLY required if you are performing work outside of Fort Collins City limits, but inside Larimer County jurisdiction.  

For all general and specialized licenses and applications visit Larimer County's Contractor Licensing page.  

This includes: 

  • General Contractor License 
  • Specialized Trade License 
  • Mechanical Contractor 
  • Roofing Contractor 
  • Electrical and Plumber Registration 

For questions on application or licenses, contact Larimer County select “Building Dept, Permits, Online Portal.” or visit 200 W Oak 3rd floor  

Notice: application fees may be applied 

Once your applications are approved and necessary permits are approved, you are ready to operate! 

Resource Overview#

In this section, you’ll find an overview of various resources and permits that may be useful when starting and running your business. While not all resources or permits listed may apply to your specific business, it’s important to be aware of the support available in the City of Fort Collins. These resources can provide valuable insights for starting and operating your business.  

If you need assistance navigating the available resources or confirming that you have the necessary permits and licenses, contact a business connector for guidance at mbec@fcgov.com or make an appointment here. 

Sales Tax#

The City of Fort Collins uses a Sales & Use Tax License as a Business License.  

In addition to the required Sales & Use Tax License/Business License, find other licenses that may apply to you on the Sales Tax website such as:  

Other licenses are obtained through the Sales Tax/Business License application including: 

  • Auctioneer License 
  • Bowling Alley License 
  • Movie Theater License  
  • Places of Entertainment License 
  • Secondhand Dealer License 

City Clerk#

For liquor and marijuana licensing visit the City Clerk’s website. The City of Fort Collins City Clerk Office has general and specialized administrative responsibilities. 

Larimer County Health & Environment Department#

Larimer County Health & Environment Department oversees additional business requirements including: 

Submit all Larimer County Health & Environment Department applications through the online portal or in their office at 1525 Blue Spruce Dr. 

For any questions and more information contact the Larimer County Department of Health & Environment at eh@co.larimer.co.us or call at 970-498-6776.  

Become a Responsible Employer#

If your business will hire employees,  follow this checklist to comply with all Colorado of Labor and Employment requirements including:  

It’s important to understand the difference between an employee and an independent contractor to protect your business.  

Find the Right Employees#

The Larimer County Economic & Workforce Development Center can help you find qualified applicants at no cost, in addition to other low-cost trainings.  

Utilities#

The Utilities Business Resource Team guides you and connects you to energy and water resources for your business. They assist business customers with resources to manage their utilities.  

For assistance and questions contact the Utilities Business Resource Team at 970-416-4268 or email: UtilitiesBizResourceTeam@fcgov.com.

Get started with our local internet service, community owned broadband service provider Connexion:

Energy Efficiency and Sustainability Initiatives#

Discover ways to use water and energy more efficiently for your building. 

OEDIT-Programs & Funding#

Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) creates a positive business climate that encourages dynamic economic development and sustainable job growth. Find information about State programs and funding available to your business online.