Business in Greeley

According to the Small Business Administration, writing a business plan is vital for a successful business. A business plan contains things like a market and competitor analysis, financial projections, and a plan for day-to-day operations.

Guide to writing your business plan

The East Colorado Small Business Development Center has online guides and provides free assistance in writing a business plan. Give them a call at 970-351-4274.

• The State will require you to choose a legal structure for your business before you can register it.
• The legal structure of your business mainly affects liabilities and taxation. The most common types are Sole Proprietorships, Partnerships, Corporations, and LLC’s.
• There are pros and cons to each type of structure, so follow the links below to determine what type is best for you: SBA.gov Choose Your Business Structure

• State of Colorado Name Criteria
• State of Colorado Business Names

File the appropriate forms for the type of legal structure you have. There is generally a $50.00 fee to register your business with the State.

• Secretary of State Online Filing
• Colorado Secretary of State: 303-894-2200, 1700 Broadway #200, Denver, CO 80290

EIN stands for Employer Identification Number, and is issued by the IRS. The IRS requires almost all businesses have an EIN. They are free and easy to get.

• IRS.gov Do I need an EIN?
• IRS.gov Info on EIN
• IRS.gov Apply for an EIN

The State of Colorado requires you to set up a “Withholding Tax Account” if you withhold Colorado income tax on behalf of your employees or on behalf of individuals to whom you make income payments. 

• State of Colorado Withholding Payroll Tax Account
• State of Colorado Department of Revenue, Taxation Division: 303-238-7378
  • 3030 S. College Ave, Ft. Collins, CO 80525

  • 1375 Sherman St, Denver, CO 80261

The State of Colorado does not have a “general business license.” However, they do have many different types of occupational licenses that may be required for your business.

• Sales Tax Licenses
• Check with Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) to see if a certain type of license is required for your business.
  • DORA: 303-894-7855 1560 Broadway #110 Denver, CO 80202
  • Division of Professions and Occupations: 303-894-7800 1560 Broadway #1350 Denver, CO 80202

The Colorado SBDC’s Small Business Navigator is also available to help you with your questions about licensing on local, state, and federal levels. 303-592-5920

A state license alone does not allow you to operate everywhere in the state. Colorado is a “home-rule” state, which means that municipalities are allowed to set their own licensing requirements for businesses.

Most cities require obtaining a city license in addition to your state license. Check with each jurisdiction that you plan on doing business in to determine if you are required to hold a certain licenses.

Neighboring jurisdictions

• Fort Collins 970-221-6780, 215 N. Mason St. Ft. Collins, CO 80524
• Loveland 970-962-2318, 500 E. 3rd St.Loveland, CO 80537
• Windsor 970-674-2486, 301 Walnut St.Windsor, CO 80550
• Evans 970-475-1127, 1100 37 St.Evans, CO 80620
• Brighton 970-655-2041, 500 S. 4th Ave. Brighton, CO 80601