Starting a business in Broomfield, Colorado: a practical checklist

Updated

Broomfield does a few things differently from the cities around it, mostly because it is both a city and a county. Requirements, fees and rules change, so confirm each step with the linked offices before you act. This is a checklist, not legal advice.

Start with the biggest Broomfield fact: no general business license

The city's page for prospective owners and operators says Broomfield does not require a local business license, but that registering with the State of Colorado is required of all businesses. The city's licensing FAQ says the same thing in plain terms: there is no separate "Business License." What you do need is a sales tax license, covered below, plus special licenses for certain trades.

1. Register with the state

For an LLC, file Articles of Organization with the Colorado Secretary of State. The fee schedule lists $50 online for Articles and $25 online for the yearly Periodic Report, and notes it was revised July 1, 2024 and is subject to change without notice. The same schedule lists a $20 Trade Name Statement if you will operate under a name other than your legal one. Late periodic reports carry a penalty, so calendar the date.

2. Get a Broomfield sales tax license (and check whether you need one)

Broomfield collects its own sales tax. Its sales tax FAQ says a sales tax license is required to do business in the city, issued at no charge, and that service-only businesses do not need one because Broomfield does not tax personal services. It also says software and software-as-a-service are generally taxable, so a "service" business that sells software may still be covered. Applications are reviewed by other city departments, and the city says to allow 10 days to two weeks before opening.

  • Start at the city's sales tax page, which links the application and the rates map. The city's page lists a base rate of 8.15% with slightly higher rates in two improvement districts. Confirm the rate for your address there.
  • Questions go to Sales Tax Administration at 303-464-5811 or [email protected].
  • The city FAQ says filing frequency depends on how much you collect, and that a return is due even for a period with no sales.
  • Separately, the Colorado Department of Revenue explains how to apply for a state sales tax license. Check there for state requirements and fees.

3. Licenses for specific kinds of business

The licensing FAQ lists several that are separate from sales tax:

  • Liquor and solicitor's licenses: handled by the City Clerk, 303-438-6332.
  • Tobacco: the FAQ says both state and local licenses are required.
  • Restaurants, bars and other food businesses: the FAQ says to call the Broomfield Health Department at 720-887-2220 for an inspection and license before opening.
  • Temporary carts at FlatIron Crossing: a $200 deposit is required at application, per the city.

4. Zoning, home businesses and building permits

The city asks new businesses to check zoning with the Planning Division and, where relevant, get building permits and a certificate of occupancy from the Building Division (see the prospective owners page). For a business run from your home, ask Planning what the home occupation rules allow at your address. Call Planning at 303-438-6284 or email [email protected] through the Planning page before you assume it is allowed.

5. Local help

  • City economic development: the Small Business Support page describes the Economic Vitality Department and its programs. The prospective owners page lists [email protected] for questions.
  • Free advising: the Broomfield Chamber's SBDC page says the North Metro Denver SBDC offers free, confidential one-on-one advising at the Chamber's Business Resource Center, 26 Garden Center, Suite 4, with booking linked on that page.
  • Chamber of commerce: the Broomfield Chamber of Commerce lists networking, member directory and business resources, at 303-466-1775.

6. A local program worth knowing: the Entrepreneur Microgrant

The city's Entrepreneur Microgrant Program page says awards of up to $5,000 are available for the 2026 cycle to applicants who meet HUD low-to-moderate income limits, with a required free consultation with the SBDC. As of today the page says it is closed and reopens in October 2026 on a rolling basis. Eligibility and funding are set by the city, and applying does not guarantee an award.

Why the city-and-county status matters

Broomfield became the City and County of Broomfield on November 15, 2001, according to the city's constitutional amendment page. In practice that means one government handles what is usually split between a city and a county, so most of the steps above run through one set of offices at One DesCombes Drive.

Setting up a business email address

You can use your own domain with Google Workspace or Microsoft 365, which suits a brand with staff. Or you can use a short local address like [email protected] from us. A personal name is $19 a month, and trade names such as plumber@ cost more. There is no domain to buy and no DNS, and setup takes about five minutes. The tradeoff is that you rent the address and do not own the domain. See the real cost of a business email or check a name on the home page.

Check a name or try the email address ideas tool.