Denver Contractor License Renewal

Last reviewed October 2026 · 8 min read

Denver licenses its own contractors: Community Planning and Development (CPD) issues contractor licenses and certificates to individuals and companies who perform construction and trade work in Denver, and doesn't accept licenses or certificates from other counties or states. Construction, mechanical and electrical licenses and supervisor certificates are renewed every three years, plumbing licenses every two and right-of-way licenses every year. You can renew online in e-permits starting 30 days before the expiration date; after that date, only in person or by mail, and after a year you have to reinstate. The city does not mail renewal notices, so the date on your license or certificate is the one to watch.

At a glance

Who needs it: Community Planning and Development issues contractor licenses and certificates to individuals and companies who perform various types of construction and trade work in Denver. Denver does not accept or reciprocate contractor licenses or certificates from other counties or states
Two steps: Before applying for a contractor license, an applicant must hold a supervisor certificate issued by Denver, employ a supervisor certificate holder, or hold a Colorado electrical or plumbing license. The state license takes the place of a supervisor certificate for electrical and plumbing only: for all other work, license applications aren't accepted until supervisor certificates have been approved. Each certificate type is applied for separately
Renews every: 3 years for construction licenses (General Contractor Class A, Building Contractor Class B, Residential Contractor Class C, Specialty Class D) and all mechanical license types; 2 years for a plumbing license; 3 years for an electrical license; 3 years for supervisor, journeyman, engineer and operator certificates; every year for right-of-way licenses
Expires: On the expiration date on your license or certificate. License expiration dates are also listed on the city's licensed contractor search page
Renewal notices: None: the city does not mail renewal notices
When to renew: Online renewals are available for 30 days before the expiration date. Once a license or certificate has expired it can't be renewed online, only in person or by mail; contractor licenses can be renewed up to one year after they expire
Renewal fees: $250 for General Contractor Class A, Building Contractor Class B, Residential Contractor Class C, Specialty Class D and all mechanical license types; $160 for a Plumbing A license; $0 for an electrical license; $60 for a supervisor certificate; $40 for a journeyman, engineer or operator certificate
Certificate first: If your supervisor certificate and license expire around the same time, renew the certificate first: it must be valid before the license can be renewed. Mailing both? Use separate checks for the certificate renewal and the license renewal
Electrical and plumbing: Electrical licenses must be renewed within 30 days of renewing your state-issued electrical license, and plumbing licenses within 30 days of renewing your state-issued plumbing license. Plumbing contractors must renew their state plumbing contractor card and master plumber card with the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) before they can renew the Denver plumbing contractor license
Documents: Current photo ID for the person applying, and a current periodic report or trade name registration from the Colorado Secretary of State (the renewal form asks corporations and LLCs for a periodic report dated within the past year, not a certificate of good standing, and sole proprietors using a trade name for a trade name registration). Depending on the license, also a current state fire protection certificate, Colorado contractor's card, Colorado master's license or right-of-way certificate of liability insurance
Business changes: If the licensed business name or information changed, submit updated Secretary of State documents; if the owners or officers changed, a notarized letter or meeting minutes on company letterhead, signed by an existing owner or officer, listing the new officers, or a copy of a buyout agreement. The renewal form asks you to contact the office before sending renewal documents and payment if the legal entity, officers, partners or supervisor of record changed, or the company was sold
Renew online: In e-permits. The first time, register for a free account and add your license number to it with My Account. Then select Contractor Licensing and follow the prompts, uploading all required documents before you submit. For a supervisor certificate renewed online for the first time, email Contractor Licensing the name and email address on your account and your certificate number, and it links the certificate to your account within 24 hours
Renew by mail or in person: Send the license renewal form (or the supervisor certificate renewal form), the documents and payment to Community Planning and Development, Attention: Contractor Licensing, 201 W. Colfax Ave., Dept. 205, Denver, CO 80202, or bring them to the Contractor Licensing counter on the second floor of the Wellington Webb Municipal Office Building at 201 W. Colfax Ave.
Paying by check: Make checks payable to "Manager of Finance" and include the license number being renewed. The checking account must be in the exact name on the contractor's license: a renewal paid by another company or individual is returned to be processed as a "Change of Name/Entity"
Expired over a year: A contractor license expired for more than one year needs a new application and the supporting documents required for a new license (including the Supervisor Statement of Responsibility). Reinstate in person or by mail, not online, to keep your license number. Right-of-way and sewer licenses reinstate through CPD's right-of-way licenses page instead
Expired certificate: Within one year of expiration a supervisor certificate may be reissued without a new application. Reapplying within 3 years of expiration takes a new certificate application but not a new exam; after more than 3 years, a new application, new notarized letters of experience and a new exam (if that certificate type requires one)
Right-of-way and sewer: Right-of-way licenses are renewed every year. Right-of-way and sewer license renewals need a current certificate of liability insurance designating the City and County of Denver as "additional insured"
Continuing education: None listed: Denver's contractor licensing pages name no continuing education for renewing a city license or certificate. A Colorado electrical or plumbing license renews separately with DORA
Contact: Contractor Licensing: 720-865-2770, Contr.Licensing@denvergov.org

Denver doesn't mail renewal notices, and online renewal opens only 30 days before the expiration date. Put both the license and the supervisor certificate dates on your calendar.

An expired license or certificate can't be renewed online. Once it's been expired for more than a year, a license takes a new application and a certificate takes a new application (and, after more than 3 years, new experience letters and the exam where one is required).

How to renew

Find the expiration dates on your Denver license and on your supervisor certificate (the licensed contractor search lists license dates): the city doesn't mail a reminder.
Plumbing contractor? Renew your state plumbing contractor card and master plumber card with DORA first. Electrical contractor? Renew the Denver license within 30 days of renewing your state electrical license.
Get a current periodic report (corporations and LLCs) or trade name registration (sole proprietors using a trade name) from the Colorado Secretary of State, plus any state card or certificate your license type needs.
If your supervisor certificate expires around the same time, renew it first (in e-permits, or in person or by mail if it has expired): the license can't be renewed until the certificate is valid.
Renew the license in e-permits within the 30 days before it expires, uploading every document before you submit. Missed it? Renew in person or by mail before a year has passed.

Still tracking this in a spreadsheet? On a paid plan, get emailed 90, 60, 30, 7 and 1 days before it expires, by default.

Start free

Deadline checklist

60 days outCheck the expiration dates on your Denver license and supervisor certificate: the city mails no renewal notice.
45 days outGet a current periodic report (or, for a sole proprietor using a trade name, a trade name registration) from the Colorado Secretary of State, and, if you're a plumbing contractor, renew your state plumbing contractor card and master plumber card with DORA.
30 days outWhen online renewal opens in e-permits, renew the license, uploading every document before you submit. If your supervisor certificate expires around the same time, renew it first: it must be valid before the license can be renewed.
7 days outCheck the city's licensed contractor search shows your license's new expiration date.

Put this renewal in your calendar

Know your expiration date? Download a free calendar file with reminders before it, no sign-up needed. It's made in your browser: nothing you type is sent to us (your browser keeps it only if you follow the sign-up link, for your new ledger). A Google Calendar button sends just that one event to Google.

The file covers one date: once you renew, make a new one. How to add it to your calendar

The license isn't the only thing expiring

Most lapses that cost contractors work aren't the license itself. They're one of these, renewing on a different date:

Your Denver supervisor certificate (if you hold one), on its own three-year date: it must be valid before the license can be renewed
Your Colorado electrical or plumbing license and contractor card (DORA), which the Denver license follows
Your Colorado Secretary of State periodic report (or trade name registration)
General liability insurance policy
Workers' compensation policy (or exemption)
Certificates of insurance (COIs) you've given to clients and GCs

LicenseLedger keeps every one of those dates in one place and emails you before each one expires, with reminders far enough ahead to finish CE and paperwork.

Track your renewal dates free

Frequently asked questions

How often do I renew a Denver contractor license?

Construction licenses (Classes A, B, C and Specialty D), mechanical licenses and electrical licenses every 3 years, plumbing licenses every 2 years and right-of-way licenses every year. Supervisor, journeyman, engineer and operator certificates are renewed every 3 years.

How much does it cost to renew a Denver contractor license?

$250 for a Class A, B, C or Specialty D construction license or any mechanical license, $160 for a Plumbing A license and $0 for an electrical license. A supervisor certificate renewal is $60, and a journeyman, engineer or operator certificate $40.

When can I renew online?

Online renewals in e-permits are available for 30 days before the expiration date. Once a license or certificate has expired, it can only be renewed in person or by mail.

Does Denver send a renewal notice?

No. The city does not mail renewal notices: the expiration date is on your license or certificate, and license dates are also on the city's licensed contractor search page.

What if my Denver contractor license expired?

Contractor licenses can be renewed up to one year after they expire, in person or by mail. A license expired for more than one year needs a new application and the supporting documents required for a new license; reinstating in person or by mail keeps your license number.

I have a Colorado electrical or plumbing license. Do I need a Denver supervisor certificate?

For an electrical or plumbing contractor license, no: a Colorado electrical or plumbing license takes the place of a supervisor certificate. For all other work, license applications aren't accepted until supervisor certificates have been approved (yours, or a certificate holder's you employ). Renew the Denver electrical license within 30 days of renewing your state-issued electrical license, and the plumbing license within 30 days of renewing your state-issued plumbing license.

Official sources

Rules, fees and CE requirements change. Confirm the current requirements with the official source before you renew:

City and County of Denver Community Planning and Development, Renew a Contractor's License

This guide is general information, not legal advice.

Other Colorado guides

All Colorado guides on one page

General contractor guides for other states

Get a reminder before this renewal is due

Add this license, your insurance policies and the COIs you collect from subs to LicenseLedger, and get an email before each one expires. Free for up to 3 records, no credit card required.

Start free

How LicenseLedger works for general contractors

Not ready to sign up? Get the free tracking spreadsheet

Denver Contractor License Renewal

Last reviewed October 2026 · 8 min read

At a glance

Who needs it: Community Planning and Development issues contractor licenses and certificates to individuals and companies who perform various types of construction and trade work in Denver. Denver does not accept or reciprocate contractor licenses or certificates from other counties or states
Two steps: Before applying for a contractor license, an applicant must hold a supervisor certificate issued by Denver, employ a supervisor certificate holder, or hold a Colorado electrical or plumbing license. The state license takes the place of a supervisor certificate for electrical and plumbing only: for all other work, license applications aren't accepted until supervisor certificates have been approved. Each certificate type is applied for separately
Renews every: 3 years for construction licenses (General Contractor Class A, Building Contractor Class B, Residential Contractor Class C, Specialty Class D) and all mechanical license types; 2 years for a plumbing license; 3 years for an electrical license; 3 years for supervisor, journeyman, engineer and operator certificates; every year for right-of-way licenses
Expires: On the expiration date on your license or certificate. License expiration dates are also listed on the city's licensed contractor search page
Renewal notices: None: the city does not mail renewal notices
When to renew: Online renewals are available for 30 days before the expiration date. Once a license or certificate has expired it can't be renewed online, only in person or by mail; contractor licenses can be renewed up to one year after they expire
Renewal fees: $250 for General Contractor Class A, Building Contractor Class B, Residential Contractor Class C, Specialty Class D and all mechanical license types; $160 for a Plumbing A license; $0 for an electrical license; $60 for a supervisor certificate; $40 for a journeyman, engineer or operator certificate
Certificate first: If your supervisor certificate and license expire around the same time, renew the certificate first: it must be valid before the license can be renewed. Mailing both? Use separate checks for the certificate renewal and the license renewal
Electrical and plumbing: Electrical licenses must be renewed within 30 days of renewing your state-issued electrical license, and plumbing licenses within 30 days of renewing your state-issued plumbing license. Plumbing contractors must renew their state plumbing contractor card and master plumber card with the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) before they can renew the Denver plumbing contractor license
Documents: Current photo ID for the person applying, and a current periodic report or trade name registration from the Colorado Secretary of State (the renewal form asks corporations and LLCs for a periodic report dated within the past year, not a certificate of good standing, and sole proprietors using a trade name for a trade name registration). Depending on the license, also a current state fire protection certificate, Colorado contractor's card, Colorado master's license or right-of-way certificate of liability insurance
Business changes: If the licensed business name or information changed, submit updated Secretary of State documents; if the owners or officers changed, a notarized letter or meeting minutes on company letterhead, signed by an existing owner or officer, listing the new officers, or a copy of a buyout agreement. The renewal form asks you to contact the office before sending renewal documents and payment if the legal entity, officers, partners or supervisor of record changed, or the company was sold
Renew online: In e-permits. The first time, register for a free account and add your license number to it with My Account. Then select Contractor Licensing and follow the prompts, uploading all required documents before you submit. For a supervisor certificate renewed online for the first time, email Contractor Licensing the name and email address on your account and your certificate number, and it links the certificate to your account within 24 hours
Renew by mail or in person: Send the license renewal form (or the supervisor certificate renewal form), the documents and payment to Community Planning and Development, Attention: Contractor Licensing, 201 W. Colfax Ave., Dept. 205, Denver, CO 80202, or bring them to the Contractor Licensing counter on the second floor of the Wellington Webb Municipal Office Building at 201 W. Colfax Ave.
Paying by check: Make checks payable to "Manager of Finance" and include the license number being renewed. The checking account must be in the exact name on the contractor's license: a renewal paid by another company or individual is returned to be processed as a "Change of Name/Entity"
Expired over a year: A contractor license expired for more than one year needs a new application and the supporting documents required for a new license (including the Supervisor Statement of Responsibility). Reinstate in person or by mail, not online, to keep your license number. Right-of-way and sewer licenses reinstate through CPD's right-of-way licenses page instead
Expired certificate: Within one year of expiration a supervisor certificate may be reissued without a new application. Reapplying within 3 years of expiration takes a new certificate application but not a new exam; after more than 3 years, a new application, new notarized letters of experience and a new exam (if that certificate type requires one)
Right-of-way and sewer: Right-of-way licenses are renewed every year. Right-of-way and sewer license renewals need a current certificate of liability insurance designating the City and County of Denver as "additional insured"
Continuing education: None listed: Denver's contractor licensing pages name no continuing education for renewing a city license or certificate. A Colorado electrical or plumbing license renews separately with DORA
Contact: Contractor Licensing: 720-865-2770, Contr.Licensing@denvergov.org

Denver doesn't mail renewal notices, and online renewal opens only 30 days before the expiration date. Put both the license and the supervisor certificate dates on your calendar.

How to renew

Find the expiration dates on your Denver license and on your supervisor certificate (the licensed contractor search lists license dates): the city doesn't mail a reminder.
Plumbing contractor? Renew your state plumbing contractor card and master plumber card with DORA first. Electrical contractor? Renew the Denver license within 30 days of renewing your state electrical license.
Get a current periodic report (corporations and LLCs) or trade name registration (sole proprietors using a trade name) from the Colorado Secretary of State, plus any state card or certificate your license type needs.
If your supervisor certificate expires around the same time, renew it first (in e-permits, or in person or by mail if it has expired): the license can't be renewed until the certificate is valid.
Renew the license in e-permits within the 30 days before it expires, uploading every document before you submit. Missed it? Renew in person or by mail before a year has passed.

Still tracking this in a spreadsheet? On a paid plan, get emailed 90, 60, 30, 7 and 1 days before it expires, by default.

Start free

Deadline checklist

60 days outCheck the expiration dates on your Denver license and supervisor certificate: the city mails no renewal notice.
45 days outGet a current periodic report (or, for a sole proprietor using a trade name, a trade name registration) from the Colorado Secretary of State, and, if you're a plumbing contractor, renew your state plumbing contractor card and master plumber card with DORA.
30 days outWhen online renewal opens in e-permits, renew the license, uploading every document before you submit. If your supervisor certificate expires around the same time, renew it first: it must be valid before the license can be renewed.
7 days outCheck the city's licensed contractor search shows your license's new expiration date.

Put this renewal in your calendar

The file covers one date: once you renew, make a new one. How to add it to your calendar

The license isn't the only thing expiring

Most lapses that cost contractors work aren't the license itself. They're one of these, renewing on a different date:

Your Denver supervisor certificate (if you hold one), on its own three-year date: it must be valid before the license can be renewed
Your Colorado electrical or plumbing license and contractor card (DORA), which the Denver license follows
Your Colorado Secretary of State periodic report (or trade name registration)
General liability insurance policy
Workers' compensation policy (or exemption)
Certificates of insurance (COIs) you've given to clients and GCs

LicenseLedger keeps every one of those dates in one place and emails you before each one expires, with reminders far enough ahead to finish CE and paperwork.

Track your renewal dates free

Frequently asked questions

How often do I renew a Denver contractor license?

How much does it cost to renew a Denver contractor license?

When can I renew online?

Online renewals in e-permits are available for 30 days before the expiration date. Once a license or certificate has expired, it can only be renewed in person or by mail.

Does Denver send a renewal notice?

No. The city does not mail renewal notices: the expiration date is on your license or certificate, and license dates are also on the city's licensed contractor search page.

What if my Denver contractor license expired?

I have a Colorado electrical or plumbing license. Do I need a Denver supervisor certificate?

Official sources

Rules, fees and CE requirements change. Confirm the current requirements with the official source before you renew:

City and County of Denver Community Planning and Development, Renew a Contractor's License

This guide is general information, not legal advice.

Other Colorado guides

All Colorado guides on one page

General contractor guides for other states

Get a reminder before this renewal is due

Add this license, your insurance policies and the COIs you collect from subs to LicenseLedger, and get an email before each one expires. Free for up to 3 records, no credit card required.

Start free

How LicenseLedger works for general contractors

Not ready to sign up? Get the free tracking spreadsheet