TradeGuardColorado 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 of Insurance for Workers Compensation coverage, required for any sub with employees
Required for tax reporting on payments over $600
Required on many public and private commercial projects
Required on public works projects over threshold
Required alongside performance bond on public projects
Required when bidding on public construction contracts; guarantees contractor will honor the bid if awarded
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 collects every subcontractor's COI, license, and OSHA docs, flags Colorado compliance gaps, and warns you before anything expires. Stop tracking it in a spreadsheet.
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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.