Not yet re-checked against the Dept of Regulatory Agencies (trades licensing); verify before relying on it.
Colorado subcontractor insurance & compliance requirements
If you're a general contractor hiring subcontractors in Colorado, here are the certificates and documents you should collect and keep current, and how TradeGuard tracks them automatically.
Documents to collect from subcontractors in Colorado
The core compliance documents a GC should require and keep current for each sub.
State or local business license.
Certificate of Insurance for General Liability coverage.
Certificate showing workers' comp for the sub's employees. Who must carry it depends on the state and the number of employees.
Used to report what you pay the sub on Form 1099-NEC. For payments made in 2026 or later the IRS reporting threshold is $2,000 (it was $600).
Some owners and contracts require it, and some states require it on public projects.
Public owners require one on larger public contracts; the threshold depends on the owner and the state.
Public owners usually require it alongside the performance bond.
Often required with a bid on public work; it backs the bidder's promise to sign the contract at the bid price.
Colorado does not issue a statewide general contractor license. Licensing is handled at the local/county level. Electrical and plumbing have state licenses.
Colorado is under federal OSHA jurisdiction.
No statewide contractor bond requirement, though projects or public work may still require bonds.
- CDLE: Colorado Dept of Labor and Employment
- DORA: Dept of Regulatory Agencies (trades licensing)
Summary for Colorado
No state GC license, verify local municipality requirements. Federal OSHA applies. Workers comp required.
Track all of this automatically in Colorado
TradeGuard asks each sub for these documents through an upload link and shows what's missing for Colorado, with alerts before anything expires.
No credit card required · Cancel anytime · See how COI tracking works
Colorado compliance FAQ
Do subcontractors need a contractor license in Colorado?+
Colorado does not issue a statewide general contractor license, though local jurisdictions or specialty trades may still require one. Colorado does not issue a statewide general contractor license. Licensing is handled at the local/county level. Electrical and plumbing have state licenses.
Does Colorado follow federal OSHA or a state OSHA plan?+
Colorado is covered by federal OSHA. Subcontractors on active job sites are typically expected to carry OSHA 10/30 training.
Is a surety bond required for contractors in Colorado?+
Colorado does not impose a statewide contractor bond requirement, though individual projects, owners, or public work may still require performance and payment bonds.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Requirements change; confirm current rules with the relevant Colorado agencies before relying on them.