How to Start a 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 a business plan.

The East Colorado Small Business Development Center has online guides and provides free assistance in writing a business plan.

• The State will require you to choose a legal structure for your business before you can register it.
• he 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 determine what business type is best: SBA.gov Choose Your Business Structure

Make sure that a business name fits the State's criteria and that no one else is already using it.

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

File the appropriate forms for the type of legal structure the business. 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 Apply for an EIN

The State of Colorado requires a “Withholding Tax Account” to withhold Colorado income tax on behalf of employees or on behalf of individuals to who receive income payments.

State of Colorado Withholding Accounts

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 a 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 with questions about licensing on local, state, and federal levels.

Yes. As of January 1, 2017 every company conducting business in the City of Greeley must obtain a business license.

No. Any current sales tax licenses will be closed once the business license is obtained. As of December 1, 2017, all sales tax licenses will be closed and no longer considered to be a valid license in the City of Greeley.

There is no fee for the business license.

Yes. The business license must be renewed every two years.

Yes. Depending on your type of business and estimated tax liability, you will be set up to report monthly, quarterly, annually, or occasionally. Filing Requirements & Frequency. 

Companies that do not pay sales tax through retail transactions often have a use tax liability. Often, businesses purchase items for their company without paying sales tax at the time of purchase. This is because items may have been purchased out of state, from an internet site, or the vendor simply did not collect sales tax. If this is the case, you are required to report and remit use tax on the purchase price of the untaxed items.

Yes. All companies conducting business in the City of Greeley are required to have a business license. This includes, but is not limited to, retail stores, restaurants, service-based companies, nonprofits, wholesalers, law firms, accounting firms, health organizations, and manufacturers.