Licensing

The City Clerk's Office handles business, sales tax and liquor licensing for the City of Durango.

General Business License Requirements

A general business license is required for:

• anyone conducting business within the city limits regardless of the physical location of the business enterprise
• businesses not physically located within the City that send one or more employees or representatives into the City to sell, repair, or deliver merchandise and/or provide services
• businesses operating on a year-round or event basis
• home-based businesses (Home-based businesses require a Special Use Permit in addition to a business license.)

Business licenses are non-transferable with a change of ownership or a change in location. Multiple business locations require multiple licenses.

Depending upon the nature of the business, applicants for a business license may be required to submit:

• additional documentation, such as proof of insurance in specific limits or occupational bonds
• additional license fees including:
• private investigators
• security guards
• cross connection control technicians
• tree trimmers
• pawnbrokers
• river rafting companies
• carnival and circuses
• parades

Sole Proprietors

Business license applicants who are applying as sole proprietors must also submit a lawful presence affidavit as required under Colorado Revised Statutes 24-76.5-103.

License Expiration

Standard or regular business licenses (except for liquor-licensed establishments) expire on December 31 of each year, and must be renewed by January 31 to avoid a late fee. Event business licenses are issued on a per day activity.

Posting and Exhibiting

Every license shall be posted in a conspicuous place at the business location for the full term of the license. Licenses shall be removed upon expiration. At any proper time, the license shall be shown to a City official when requested.

Refuse Disposal

Business licensees must arrange for the disposal of refuse (including recyclables) by contracting with either the City or private waste removal contractors. To ensure that prospective licenses are aware of their responsibilities, those seeking business licenses for locations within City limits must declare how refuse generated through business operations will be disposed of prior to the issuance of the license.