Types of Businesses
PrintInformation and links on franchises/licenses, and out-of-state, import/export, web-based, veteran-owned, minority-owned, disadvantaged, and home-based businesses.
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Out-of-State Business
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Import/Export
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Web-based Business
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Veteran-Owned Business
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Minority-Owned/Disadvantaged Business
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Franchises and Licenses
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Home-based Business
Out-of-State Business
Foreigners
Must check with the Department of Homeland Security if they wish to operate or own a business in the state.
Persons doing business in Colorado from out of state
Any out of state business with a physical location in Colorado and/or operating in the state for more than 30 days, must register the business in Colorado with the Secretary of State. Such businesses are required to file Colorado income taxes for all wages and income earned from work and operations conducted in the state, regardless of the person’s/business’ residency. Employers must withhold income taxes.
Persons doing business in other states, based in Colorado
Any business or person with a physical location in another state and /or operating in that state for more than 30 days should check with that state’s registration requirements.
Import/Export
International Trade Administration
Export-related information, statistics, and country reports – federal government.
U.S. Export Assistance Centers (USEAC)
Combines resources within the SBA, U.S. Department of Commerce, Export-Import Bank and other agencies to improve delivery of services to small- and medium-sized businesses.
Denver Office
U.S. Export Assistance Center
1625 Broadway Avenue
Suite 680
Denver, Colorado 80202
Phone: (303) 844-6622 ext.18
FAX: (303) 844-5651
International Trade Office (ITO)
Part of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, assists businesses in exporting.
Offers classes, seminars, and workshops on international trade.
1625 Broadway, Suite 680
Denver, Colorado 80202 USA
Phone: (303) 592-5760
FAX: (303) 592-5228
The Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) is the official export credit agency of the United States, assisting in financing the export of U.S. goods and services to international markets.
The Small Business Administration provides counseling, training and financing to support small business export opportunities.
Brings together resources from across the U.S. Government to assist American businesses in planning their international sales strategies and succeed in today’s global marketplace.
Customs Brokerage Firms
Customs brokerage firms handle transport of imports and exports. They can arrange shipments, do all the paperwork, and ensure those shipments are in compliance with U.S. Customs regulations. Check the yellow pages for local brokers such as:
Web-Based Business
A Colorado Internet business must collect sales tax on items sold to customers in Colorado. Sales tax is not collected on Internet sales to customers outside of Colorado.
Veteran-Owned Business
SBA's Office of Veterans Business Development. OVBD
Dedicated to serving the veteran entrepreneur by formulating, executing and promoting policies and programs of the agency that provides assistance to veterans seeking to start and develop small businesses.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affair
The Center for Veterans Enterprise (00VE)
810 Vermont Avenue, N. W.
Washington, D.C. 20420
Phone: (866) 584-2344
FAX: (202) 254-0238
Minority-Owned/Disadvantaged Business
Colorado Minority Business Office (MBO)
Collaborates with other state agencies, the private sector, federal agencies, state chambers of commerce and regional business councils throughout the state to expand opportunities for minority and women business owners.
Colorado Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE)
Phone: (303) 512-5140
The Office of Certification administers the Colorado DBE Certification Program. This process determines the eligibility of minority and women-owned businesses to participate on projects for Colorado government agencies.
Colorado Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
Start-up assistance for people with disabilities - $5,000 - $10,000 grants available
Contact: Dan Legg
1575 Sherman Street 4th Floor
Denver, Colorado 80203
Phone: (303) 866-2217
Denver City/County DBE Certification
Office of Economic Development
Division of Small Business Opportunity DSBO)
201 West Colfax, Dept. 907
Denver, CO 80202
Phone: (720) 913-1714
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE)
Phone: (303) 844-2607, ext, 226
DBE certification is a federally initiated and mandated program established to ensure that only those firms meeting the prescribed standards receive the certification as a DBE. There is no single all encompassing certification program for women and minority owned businesses. Certification is only required if a business desires to sell productrs or services to a government agency or private firm that requires certification as part of their contracting process. There are 3 types of certification depending upon the type of contracting:
- Federal Certification - 8(a) - apply by registering with the CCR at ccr.gov
- Unified Certification Program - CDOT and the County of Denver on one application at:
- Private Certification may be used for private corporations:
Colorado's Enterprise Zone program provides tax incentives to encourage businesses to locate and expand in designated economically distressed areas of the state. There are 18 enterprise zones and subzones in Colorado. Businesses located in a zone may qualify for ten different Enterprise Zone Tax Credits and Incentives to encourage job creation and investment in these zones. To determine if a specific address is within a zone, contact the local zone administrator.
Historically Underutilized Business Zone. The HUBZone Empowerment Contracting program provides federal contracting opportunities for qualified small businesses located in distressed areas.
Mi Casa Resource Center for Women
Advances self-sufficiency for primarily low-income Latinas and youth. Offers training in traditional and nontraditional careers for women, training to help women start and grow a business and to keep youth achieving in school and making good decisions.
360 Acoma Street
Denver CO 80223
Phone: (303) 573-1302
FAX: (303) 595-0422
E-Mail: info@micasadenver.org
Office of Women's Business Ownership (SBA)
409 Third Street SW, Sixth Floor
Washington, DC 20416
Phone: (202) 205-6673
E-Mail: owbo@sba.gov
Small Disadvantaged Business Programs (SDB)
The SBA certifies SDB’s to make them eligible for special bidding benefits. The SBA administers two particular business assistance programs for small disadvantaged businesses (SDBs). These programs are 8(a) Business Development Program and the Small Disadvantaged Business Certification Program. SDB certification strictly pertains to benefits in Federal procurement. Companies which are 8(a) firms automatically qualify for SDB certification. Once certified, the business is added to PRO-Net or CCR. For more information on federal certification for DBE's, go to http://www.fedbizopps.gov/ or call 303-844-2607, ext. 226.
Franchises and Licenses
Franchises
A franchise is a legal and commercial relationship between the owner of a trademark, service mark, trade name or advertising symbol and an individual or group seeking the right to use that identification in a business. A franchise agreement governs the method for conducting business between the two parties. Generally, a franchisee sells goods or services that are supplied by the franchiser or that meet the franchiser’s quality standards. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and state regulations require sellers of franchises to provide disclosure statements to the buyer.
Licenses
Licensing is used by companies that are in the process of establishing brand and name recognition. There is no FTC or state regulations as with a franchise. Unlike a franchise, licensors do not charge franchise fees, royalties, nor do they have strict rules that franchisors impose on their franchisees. A license agreement governs the method for conducting business between the two parties. Understanding of franchise regulations is necessary to avoid being classified as a franchise.
Home-Based Business
