How Much Does It Cost to Start a Business in Denver, CO?
Population: 715,522 | Cost of living: 118.5% | Sales tax: 8.81% | Min wage: $18.29
Startup Costs by Industry in Denver
| Industry | Estimated Startup Cost | National Average | Local Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting Firm | $20,000 - $86,000 | $15,000 - $60,000 | +41% |
| Acupuncture Practice | $11,000 - $67,000 | $10,000 - $60,000 | +11% |
| Affiliate Marketing Business | $3,000 - $17,000 | $500 - $5,000 | +264% |
| After-School Program | $23,000 - $138,000 | $20,000 - $100,000 | +34% |
| AI Consulting Business | $8,000 - $57,000 | $2,000 - $50,000 | +25% |
| Airbnb Rental Business | $11,000 - $59,000 | $10,000 - $50,000 | +17% |
| Amazon FBA Business | $8,000 - $73,000 | $5,000 - $50,000 | +47% |
| App Development | $19,000 - $130,000 | $15,000 - $100,000 | +30% |
| Aquaponics Farm | $20,000 - $151,000 | $20,000 - $150,000 | +1% |
| Arcade & Gaming Center | $103,000 - $627,000 | $100,000 - $500,000 | +22% |
| ATM Business | $5,000 - $54,000 | $3,000 - $30,000 | +79% |
| Auto Detailing | $9,000 - $68,000 | $5,000 - $75,000 | -4% |
| Auto Repair Shop | $64,000 - $349,000 | $50,000 - $300,000 | +18% |
| Axe Throwing Venue | $51,000 - $280,000 | $50,000 - $200,000 | +32% |
| Bakery | $62,000 - $272,000 | $60,000 - $250,000 | +8% |
| Bar | $97,000 - $402,000 | $100,000 - $400,000 | Avg |
| Barbershop | $46,000 - $175,000 | $50,000 - $150,000 | +11% |
| Beauty Supply Store | $31,000 - $152,000 | $30,000 - $150,000 | +2% |
| Bed & Breakfast | $145,000 - $725,000 | $100,000 - $500,000 | +45% |
| Beekeeping Business | $13,000 - $60,000 | $10,000 - $50,000 | +22% |
| Bike Shop | $31,000 - $200,000 | $30,000 - $200,000 | Avg |
| Auto Body Shop | $51,000 - $296,000 | $50,000 - $300,000 | -1% |
| Bookkeeping Service | $3,000 - $18,000 | $2,000 - $10,000 | +75% |
| Bookstore | $48,000 - $210,000 | $40,000 - $200,000 | +8% |
| Boutique | $51,000 - $263,000 | $50,000 - $250,000 | +5% |
| Bowling Alley | $491,000 - $3,204,000 | $500,000 - $3,000,000 | +6% |
| Brewery | $262,000 - $1,483,000 | $250,000 - $1,500,000 | Avg |
| Campground | $132,000 - $1,352,000 | $100,000 - $1,000,000 | +35% |
| Candy Shop | $25,000 - $124,000 | $20,000 - $100,000 | +24% |
| Car Rental Business | $55,000 - $510,000 | $50,000 - $500,000 | +3% |
| Car Wash | $94,000 - $565,000 | $75,000 - $500,000 | +15% |
| Carpentry Business | $21,000 - $110,000 | $15,000 - $75,000 | +46% |
| Carpet Cleaning Business | $6,000 - $39,000 | $5,000 - $30,000 | +29% |
| Catering Business | $28,000 - $147,000 | $20,000 - $125,000 | +21% |
| Chiropractic | $94,000 - $346,000 | $100,000 - $350,000 | -2% |
| Christmas Tree Farm | $30,000 - $188,000 | $20,000 - $100,000 | +82% |
| Cleaning Service | $8,000 - $51,000 | $5,000 - $50,000 | +7% |
| Clothing Store | $26,000 - $152,000 | $25,000 - $150,000 | +2% |
| Coding Bootcamp | $11,000 - $105,000 | $10,000 - $100,000 | +5% |
| Coffee Roastery | $25,000 - $305,000 | $20,000 - $300,000 | +3% |
| Coffee Shop | $69,000 - $275,000 | $80,000 - $300,000 | -9% |
| Computer Repair Business | $6,000 - $39,000 | $5,000 - $30,000 | +29% |
| Concrete Business | $31,000 - $165,000 | $30,000 - $150,000 | +9% |
| Construction Company | $63,000 - $533,000 | $50,000 - $500,000 | +8% |
| Consulting Business | $11,000 - $72,000 | $5,000 - $50,000 | +51% |
| Convenience Store | $56,000 - $367,000 | $50,000 - $350,000 | +6% |
| Courier & Delivery Service | $8,000 - $60,000 | $5,000 - $50,000 | +24% |
| Coworking Space | $101,000 - $487,000 | $100,000 - $500,000 | -2% |
| Cybersecurity Firm | $11,000 - $105,000 | $10,000 - $100,000 | +5% |
| Dance Studio | $34,000 - $164,000 | $30,000 - $150,000 | +10% |
| Daycare | $53,000 - $226,000 | $50,000 - $300,000 | -20% |
| Demolition Company | $64,000 - $295,000 | $50,000 - $250,000 | +20% |
| Dental Practice | $331,000 - $832,000 | $350,000 - $750,000 | +6% |
| Digital Marketing | $11,000 - $72,000 | $5,000 - $50,000 | +51% |
| Distillery | $108,000 - $998,000 | $100,000 - $1,000,000 | +1% |
| Dog Daycare | $47,000 - $362,000 | $40,000 - $350,000 | +5% |
| Dog Grooming Business | $13,000 - $76,000 | $10,000 - $50,000 | +48% |
| Dog Training Business | $5,000 - $33,000 | $2,000 - $20,000 | +73% |
| Dog Walking Business | $3,000 - $14,000 | $500 - $5,000 | +209% |
| Donut Shop | $56,000 - $270,000 | $50,000 - $250,000 | +9% |
| Driving School | $27,000 - $119,000 | $25,000 - $100,000 | +17% |
| Drone Business | $6,000 - $44,000 | $3,000 - $50,000 | -6% |
| Dropshipping Business | $3,000 - $22,000 | $500 - $10,000 | +138% |
| Electrical | $19,000 - $100,000 | $15,000 - $100,000 | +3% |
| Embroidery & Custom Apparel | $11,000 - $58,000 | $10,000 - $50,000 | +15% |
| Escape Room | $61,000 - $397,000 | $50,000 - $300,000 | +31% |
| Etsy Shop | $3,000 - $15,000 | $500 - $5,000 | +227% |
| Event Planning Business | $9,000 - $43,000 | $5,000 - $30,000 | +49% |
| Excavation Business | $90,000 - $402,000 | $80,000 - $350,000 | +14% |
| Farm | $50,000 - $664,000 | $50,000 - $500,000 | +30% |
| Fast Food Franchise | $168,000 - $2,864,000 | $100,000 - $2,500,000 | +17% |
| Fencing Business | $11,000 - $58,000 | $10,000 - $50,000 | +15% |
| Financial Advisory Practice | $11,000 - $58,000 | $10,000 - $50,000 | +15% |
| Fitness Studio | $51,000 - $296,000 | $50,000 - $300,000 | -1% |
| Flooring Business | $14,000 - $80,000 | $10,000 - $60,000 | +34% |
| Flower Shop | $35,000 - $187,000 | $30,000 - $175,000 | +8% |
| Food Delivery Service | $18,000 - $100,000 | $10,000 - $75,000 | +39% |
| Food Truck | $65,000 - $238,000 | $50,000 - $200,000 | +21% |
| Franchise Business | $37,000 - $1,439,000 | $20,000 - $1,000,000 | +45% |
| Garage Door Business | $11,000 - $58,000 | $10,000 - $50,000 | +15% |
| Gas Station | $251,000 - $1,924,000 | $250,000 - $2,000,000 | -3% |
| General Contractor | $35,000 - $211,000 | $30,000 - $200,000 | +7% |
| Ghost Kitchen | $25,000 - $124,000 | $20,000 - $100,000 | +24% |
| Gift Shop | $35,000 - $173,000 | $30,000 - $150,000 | +16% |
| Glamping Business | $21,000 - $200,000 | $20,000 - $200,000 | Avg |
| Graphic Design Business | $7,000 - $31,000 | $3,000 - $20,000 | +65% |
| Greenhouse Business | $28,000 - $220,000 | $30,000 - $200,000 | +8% |
| Grocery Store | $125,000 - $1,678,000 | $80,000 - $2,000,000 | -13% |
| Gym | $96,000 - $480,000 | $50,000 - $500,000 | +5% |
| Hair Salon | $64,000 - $238,000 | $60,000 - $200,000 | +16% |
| Handyman | $10,000 - $52,000 | $5,000 - $40,000 | +38% |
| Home Health Care Agency | $54,000 - $372,000 | $40,000 - $350,000 | +9% |
| Home Inspection Business | $7,000 - $34,000 | $5,000 - $25,000 | +37% |
| Hostel | $51,000 - $296,000 | $50,000 - $300,000 | -1% |
| Hotel | $660,000 - $6,562,000 | $500,000 - $5,000,000 | +31% |
| HVAC | $28,000 - $141,000 | $20,000 - $150,000 | -1% |
| Ice Cream Shop | $57,000 - $305,000 | $50,000 - $300,000 | +3% |
| Insurance Agency | $24,000 - $103,000 | $20,000 - $80,000 | +27% |
| Interior Design Business | $6,000 - $39,000 | $5,000 - $30,000 | +29% |
| IT Services | $18,000 - $106,000 | $15,000 - $100,000 | +8% |
| Jewelry Store | $51,000 - $248,000 | $50,000 - $250,000 | Avg |
| Juice Bar | $44,000 - $211,000 | $40,000 - $200,000 | +6% |
| Junk Removal Business | $6,000 - $58,000 | $5,000 - $50,000 | +16% |
| Landscaping | $15,000 - $85,000 | $10,000 - $80,000 | +11% |
| Language School | $11,000 - $81,000 | $10,000 - $75,000 | +8% |
| Laundromat | $164,000 - $930,000 | $200,000 - $1,000,000 | -9% |
| Lavender Farm | $21,000 - $105,000 | $20,000 - $100,000 | +5% |
| Law Firm | $49,000 - $232,000 | $50,000 - $200,000 | +12% |
| Liquor Store | $108,000 - $415,000 | $100,000 - $400,000 | +5% |
| Locksmith Business | $6,000 - $39,000 | $5,000 - $30,000 | +29% |
| Managed IT Services | $11,000 - $81,000 | $10,000 - $75,000 | +8% |
| Manufacturing Business | $71,000 - $1,196,000 | $50,000 - $1,000,000 | +21% |
| Marketing Agency | $19,000 - $113,000 | $10,000 - $75,000 | +55% |
| Martial Arts Studio | $33,000 - $162,000 | $30,000 - $150,000 | +8% |
| Masonry Business | $20,000 - $102,000 | $15,000 - $80,000 | +28% |
| Massage Therapy Practice | $6,000 - $58,000 | $5,000 - $50,000 | +16% |
| Meal Prep Business | $20,000 - $98,000 | $15,000 - $100,000 | +3% |
| Med Spa | $218,000 - $639,000 | $250,000 - $600,000 | +1% |
| Medical Practice | $114,000 - $666,000 | $70,000 - $500,000 | +37% |
| Microgreens Farm | $3,000 - $21,000 | $2,000 - $15,000 | +41% |
| Mini Golf Course | $105,000 - $612,000 | $100,000 - $500,000 | +20% |
| Mobile Mechanic | $8,000 - $57,000 | $5,000 - $50,000 | +18% |
| Moving Company | $28,000 - $141,000 | $20,000 - $150,000 | -1% |
| Mushroom Farm | $13,000 - $98,000 | $10,000 - $80,000 | +23% |
| Music School | $30,000 - $148,000 | $25,000 - $120,000 | +23% |
| Nail Salon | $40,000 - $162,000 | $40,000 - $150,000 | +6% |
| Notary Business | $2,000 - $14,000 | $1,000 - $5,000 | +167% |
| Plant Nursery | $32,000 - $197,000 | $25,000 - $150,000 | +31% |
| Oil Change Shop | $50,000 - $278,000 | $40,000 - $250,000 | +13% |
| Online Coaching Business | $4,000 - $28,000 | $1,000 - $10,000 | +191% |
| Online Store | $4,000 - $48,000 | $2,000 - $30,000 | +63% |
| Painting | $11,000 - $59,000 | $5,000 - $50,000 | +27% |
| Pawn Shop | $51,000 - $200,000 | $50,000 - $200,000 | Avg |
| Personal Training | $14,000 - $108,000 | $10,000 - $100,000 | +11% |
| Pest Control | $17,000 - $86,000 | $10,000 - $75,000 | +21% |
| Pet Boarding Facility | $61,000 - $577,000 | $50,000 - $500,000 | +16% |
| Pet Sitting Business | $3,000 - $13,000 | $500 - $5,000 | +191% |
| Pet Store | $60,000 - $317,000 | $60,000 - $300,000 | +5% |
| Pharmacy | $315,000 - $1,649,000 | $250,000 - $1,700,000 | +1% |
| Phone Repair Shop | $11,000 - $58,000 | $10,000 - $50,000 | +15% |
| Photography Business | $13,000 - $89,000 | $10,000 - $50,000 | +70% |
| Physical Therapy Clinic | $51,000 - $296,000 | $50,000 - $300,000 | -1% |
| Pilates Studio | $31,000 - $152,000 | $30,000 - $150,000 | +2% |
| Pizza Shop | $82,000 - $318,000 | $75,000 - $300,000 | +7% |
| Plumbing | $18,000 - $97,000 | $15,000 - $100,000 | Avg |
| Podcast Studio | $20,000 - $101,000 | $15,000 - $80,000 | +27% |
| Pool Construction Business | $51,000 - $296,000 | $50,000 - $300,000 | -1% |
| Pool Cleaning & Service | $6,000 - $35,000 | $5,000 - $25,000 | +37% |
| Preschool | $82,000 - $327,000 | $80,000 - $300,000 | +8% |
| Pressure Washing Business | $3,000 - $24,000 | $3,000 - $20,000 | +17% |
| Print-on-Demand Business | $3,000 - $19,000 | $500 - $8,000 | +159% |
| Printing Business | $52,000 - $262,000 | $50,000 - $250,000 | +5% |
| Property Management Company | $7,000 - $45,000 | $5,000 - $50,000 | -5% |
| Real Estate Agency | $33,000 - $141,000 | $25,000 - $100,000 | +39% |
| Real Estate Investment Business | $34,000 - $682,000 | $20,000 - $500,000 | +38% |
| Recording Studio | $48,000 - $231,000 | $50,000 - $200,000 | +12% |
| Restaurant | $94,000 - $373,000 | $75,000 - $250,000 | +44% |
| Retail Store | $46,000 - $269,000 | $50,000 - $250,000 | +5% |
| Roofing | $28,000 - $150,000 | $20,000 - $150,000 | +5% |
| SaaS Company | $27,000 - $214,000 | $25,000 - $200,000 | +7% |
| Security Company | $17,000 - $112,000 | $10,000 - $100,000 | +17% |
| Self-Storage Facility | $507,000 - $6,291,000 | $500,000 - $5,000,000 | +24% |
| Senior Care Facility | $132,000 - $1,400,000 | $100,000 - $1,500,000 | -4% |
| SEO Agency | $11,000 - $73,000 | $5,000 - $50,000 | +53% |
| Sign Shop | $21,000 - $105,000 | $20,000 - $100,000 | +5% |
| Smoke Shop | $31,000 - $152,000 | $30,000 - $150,000 | +2% |
| Solar Installation Business | $51,000 - $296,000 | $50,000 - $300,000 | -1% |
| Spa | $96,000 - $370,000 | $100,000 - $350,000 | +4% |
| Staffing Agency | $41,000 - $184,000 | $30,000 - $150,000 | +25% |
| Subscription Box Business | $8,000 - $63,000 | $5,000 - $50,000 | +29% |
| Swim School | $51,000 - $296,000 | $50,000 - $300,000 | -1% |
| Tanning Salon | $51,000 - $248,000 | $50,000 - $250,000 | Avg |
| Tattoo Shop | $31,000 - $152,000 | $30,000 - $150,000 | +2% |
| Tax Preparation Business | $11,000 - $60,000 | $8,000 - $40,000 | +48% |
| Tech Startup | $23,000 - $188,000 | $20,000 - $150,000 | +24% |
| Thrift Store | $24,000 - $137,000 | $20,000 - $120,000 | +15% |
| Tire Shop | $62,000 - $304,000 | $50,000 - $250,000 | +22% |
| Tour Company | $14,000 - $93,000 | $10,000 - $80,000 | +19% |
| Towing Company | $59,000 - $309,000 | $50,000 - $300,000 | +5% |
| Trampoline Park | $423,000 - $1,969,000 | $500,000 - $2,000,000 | -4% |
| Travel Agency | $9,000 - $50,000 | $5,000 - $30,000 | +69% |
| Tree Service | $16,000 - $105,000 | $15,000 - $100,000 | +5% |
| Trucking Company | $22,000 - $298,000 | $15,000 - $400,000 | -23% |
| Tutoring Business | $5,000 - $24,000 | $2,000 - $15,000 | +71% |
| Used Car Dealer | $53,000 - $365,000 | $50,000 - $350,000 | +5% |
| Vape Shop | $32,000 - $158,000 | $25,000 - $150,000 | +9% |
| Vending Machine Business | $8,000 - $73,000 | $5,000 - $50,000 | +47% |
| Veterinary Clinic | $349,000 - $2,224,000 | $300,000 - $2,000,000 | +12% |
| Videography Business | $15,000 - $71,000 | $10,000 - $60,000 | +23% |
| Virtual Assistant Business | $2,000 - $13,000 | $500 - $3,000 | +329% |
| Waste Management Business | $38,000 - $445,000 | $30,000 - $500,000 | -9% |
| Web Design Business | $5,000 - $34,000 | $3,000 - $25,000 | +39% |
| Wedding Planning Business | $9,000 - $41,000 | $5,000 - $30,000 | +43% |
| Welding Business | $22,000 - $132,000 | $15,000 - $100,000 | +34% |
| Window Cleaning Business | $3,000 - $21,000 | $2,000 - $15,000 | +41% |
| Winery | $87,000 - $1,143,000 | $100,000 - $1,000,000 | +12% |
| Yoga Studio | $52,000 - $210,000 | $50,000 - $200,000 | +5% |
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Local Market Factors in Denver
118.5%
Cost of Living Index
$22-$55
Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr)
1.18x
Labor Rate Index
8.81%
Sales Tax Rate
Local Permit Fees in Denver
| Permit | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Business License | $75 - $300 |
| Food Service Permit | $300 - $750 |
| Liquor License | $1,500 - $7,500 |
| General Contractor License | $150 - $450 |
| Home Occupation Permit | $50 - $150 |
About Starting a Business in Denver
Denver combines an outdoor lifestyle with a booming economy driven by aerospace, energy, and a rapidly growing tech sector. The city's young, active population and low state filing fees make it an attractive launchpad for fitness, food, and professional service businesses.
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