Thinking about starting your own business? There is a lot to consider, including market research, choosing a name and a location, legal structure, licensing, writing a business plan, tax questions and hiring employees.
Below is our eight-step checklist ‘How to Open a Business in Westminster’. Our team is also a one-stop shop and can help connect you with the answers to all your business questions. Contact our team today!
And be sure to check out our Business Trainings Library where we have helpful PDF’s and a training video on how to open your own business.
Below is a step-by-step checklist for starting your business in the City of Westminster. This checklist covers the steps “non-restaurant” businesses need to take to go from an idea — to opening your doors. Restaurants: see your detailed checklist, just below.
For a printable PDF of the full checklist, click here: How to Open a New Business in Westminster
If you need help with market research, choosing a name, determining a legal structure and licensing, formulating a business plan, establishing business tax information or hiring employees reach out to:
Zoning – When selecting a site, it is important to make sure the location is appropriate for your business. Among the factors to consider are the type of building, location, zoning and available parking. Contact the Planning Division in Community Development for zoning approval prior to signing a lease and prior to submitting building permits.
For more information, please contact:
planning@cityofwestminster.us – 303.658.2092
Water Taps – If your business will use a lot of water, make sure to contact the Public Works and Utilities department prior to signing a lease to see if tap fees will be required.
For more information, please contact:
Drew Beckwith: dbeckwith@cityofwestminster.us – 303.658.2386
Building Code Compliance – Please check with the building department to see if your occupancy type will be allowed in the existing building without making major renovations.
For more information, please contact:
permits@cityofwestminster.us – 303.658.2075
PRINTABLE PDF: STEP 2Search for business name availability and register your business name and structure at:
Colorado Secretary of State
1700 Broadway, Suite 200
Denver, CO 80202
303.894.2200
PRINTABLE PDF: STEP 3Taxes that may be levied on businesses include income tax, employment tax, sales tax and city business taxes. Learn More
City of Westminster:
4800 W 92nd Ave.
Westminster, CO 80031
Sales Tax Division
303.658.2065
State: For state taxes and a Sales Tax ID number, visit the Colorado Business Express website, www.colorado.gov/cbe.
Federal: All forms of structure, except sole proprietors with no employees, must obtain a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN), which is also your federal tax ID number.
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
800.829.1040
PRINTABLE PDF: STEP 4A business with employees must register as an employer; pay additional taxes; withhold, match and submit employee withholdings; obtain workers’ compensation insurance; and follow other employee eligibility regulations. Learn More
PRINTABLE PDF: STEP 5Below is a list to help make sure you obtain the correct licensing and appropriate permits to make changes to the property. All permits must be filed with eTRAKiT, our online system to help assure your project is accessible and managed well.
City Clerk’s Office – each Westminster business will go through multiple steps before the approval is given to the City Clerk’s Office to issue a license that allows your business to operate legally within the City of Westminster. The full process could take up to 4 weeks.
City of Westminster
4800 W 92nd Ave.
Westminster, CO 80031
City Clerk’s Office
licensing@cityofwestminster.us
303.658.2162
Westminster Business Licensing
Application will be routed to the following divisions for review and approval, pending the type of license you are submitting for. NOTE: All divisions must approve the issuance of a license before a business can legally operate.
Planning Division – this will determine, based on current zoning ordinances, if the business description provided in box 61 of the application is an “allowed use” at the intended business address.
For more information, please contact:
303.658.2092
Westminster Community Development
Building Division – this will determine that the business meets the required building codes to operate the type of business described. To ensure compliance, the division may also do a site inspection. Site inspections will typically be performed on all new builds, remodels, assembly uses, and automotive repair facilities. Someone from the Building Division will contact a business representative directly to schedule a licensing inspection if one is needed for the approval. The issuance of a business license does not take the place of, or mean that the applicant does not need to obtain a building permit for construction work. Building permits are required for most building construction activities, including any plumbing, mechanical or electrical work.
Find our online permitting here
Link to building permit fee schedule here
New Construction:
Tenant finish/remodel: Building permits will be required for any modifications or improvements to the building. It is recommended that you work with a design professional or architect if you are not familiar with construction practices. If changing anything on the exterior or roof or adding outside seating area will require authorization from the planning dept.
For more information, please contact: permits@cityofwestminster.us – 303.658.2075
Online permitting system, eTRAKiT
Westminster Community Development
Fire Department – this will address any safety concerns as well as fire code compliance. This applies to new and existing buildings, tenant improvements, change of occupancies, and residential uses. The use, modification, or additional of required fire protection systems will be reviewed. If there is a concern, someone from the Fire Department will contact a business representative directly to schedule a licensing inspection.
For more information, please contact: 303.658.4500
Sales Tax Division – this will ensure the requested reporting frequency in box 64 is appropriate for the type of business indicated. That Division will automatically mail out information to the tax correspondence address provided regarding the collection and remitting of Sales/Use Tax to the city. This mailing will provide the account number generated and the set filing frequency but it does not mean that the issuance of the license has been approved. Any sales tax collected, or use tax due, prior to receiving a city business license must still be remitted timely. A blank sales tax return is on our website.
For more information, please contact: salestax@cityofwestminster.us – 303.658.2065
PRINTABLE PDF: STEP 6Approval – Once the City Clerk’s Office receives all of the approvals, a license will be generated on a 4×9 cardstock and mailed to the licensing correspondence address provided. They do not keep a copy of the license with the file so it is important that you have the license available upon request at the business and keep your account number handy for any question and tax filings.
Denial – Should a division have grounds to deny a license, a letter will be mailed indicating the reason for the denial.
PRINTABLE PDF: STEP 7Congratulations and welcome to Westminster!
Westminster’s Department of Economic Development offers a variety of programs and services to help new and expanding businesses.
Westminster Economic Development
For more information, please contact:
Shelby Wood, Senior Business Resource Management Analyst
swood@cityofwestminster.us – 303.658.2168
Below is a step-by-step checklist for starting your restaurant business in the City of Westminster. This checklist covers the steps you need to take to go from an idea — to opening the doors of your restaurant.
For a printable PDF of the full checklist, click here: How to Open a New Restaurant in Westminster
If you need help with market research, choosing a name, determining a legal structure and licensing, formulating a business plan, establishing business tax information or hiring employees reach out to:
Next, determine the type of restaurant you want to open. You can choose from:
Zoning – When selecting a site, it is important to make sure the location is appropriate for your business. Among the factors to consider are the type of building, location, zoning and available parking. Contact the Planning Division in Community Development for zoning approval prior to signing a lease and prior to submitting building permits.
For more information, please contact:
planning@cityofwestminster.us – 303.658.2092
Grease Traps “FOGG retention devices” are required for every food serving establishment. The size, type, and location of the interceptor will depend on the number of seats your restaurant services as well as number of water fixtures. You will need City approval prior to installing your grease trap.
For more information, please contact:
Wastewater Field Operations, FOGG: fogg@cityofwestminster.us – 303.658.2537
Water Taps Restaurants use a lot of water by comparison to retail, and have more fixtures too. A tap up-size and/or additional water purchases may be required to provide adequate water service for a restaurant. Total construction and tap fee costs could be $100,000+, some of which may be paid by the building owner. Please contact Public Works and Utilities prior to signing a lease to see if tap fees will be required.
For more information, please contact:
Drew Beckwith: dbeckwith@cityofwestminster.us – 303.658.2386
Building Code Compliance – Please check with the building department to see if your occupancy type will be allowed in the existing building without making major renovations.
For more information, please contact: permits@cityofwestminster.us – 303.658.2075
PRINTABLE PDF: STEP 2Search for business name availability and register your business name and structure at:
Colorado Secretary of State
1700 Broadway, Suite 200
Denver, CO 80202
303.894.2200
PRINTABLE PDF: STEP 3Taxes that may be levied on businesses include income tax, employment tax, sales tax and city business taxes. Learn More
City of Westminster:
4800 W 92nd Ave.
Westminster, CO 80031
Sales Tax Division
303.658.2065
State: For state taxes and a Sales Tax ID number, visit the Colorado Business Express website, www.colorado.gov/cbe.
Federal: All forms of structure, except sole proprietors with no employees, must obtain a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN), which is also your federal tax ID number.
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
800.829.1040
PRINTABLE PDF: STEP 4A business with employees must register as an employer; pay additional taxes; withhold, match and submit employee withholdings; obtain workers’ compensation insurance; and follow other employee eligibility regulations. Learn More
PRINTABLE PDF: STEP 5Both the City and Counties require food safety permits. Make sure you have the appropriate permits to prepare food and drink.
Westminster Business and Liquor License
City Clerk: licensing@Cityofwestminster.us -303.658.2162
County Food Licenses
Tri- County Health Requirements: You will need to submit your plan, once competed, for their review which normally takes two weeks. Here is the link to their website: https://www.tchd.org/411/How-to-Open-a-Business One of the main issues was the lack of a hand sink.
For more general information, please visit: www.tchd.org
Licensing fees can range from $170-$740
Jefferson County Health Dept: https://www.jeffco.us/faq.aspx?qid=238
PRINTABLE PDF: STEP 6
Below is a list to help make sure you obtain the correct licensing and appropriate permits to make changes to the property. All permits must be filed with eTRAKiT, our online system to help assure your project is accessible and managed well.
City Clerk’s Office – each Westminster business will go through multiple steps before the approval is given to the City Clerk’s Office to issue a license that allows your business to operate legally within the City of Westminster. The full process could take up to 4 weeks.
City of Westminster
4800 W 92nd Ave.
Westminster, CO 80031
City Clerk’s Office
licensing@cityofwestminster.us
303.658.2162
Westminster Business Licensing
Application will be routed to the following divisions for review and approval, pending the type of license you are submitting for. NOTE: All divisions must approve the issuance of a license before a business can legally operate.
Planning Division – this will determine, based on current zoning ordinances, if the business description provided in box 61 of the application is an “allowed use” at the intended business address.
For more information, please contact:
303.658.2092
Westminster Community Development
Building Division – this will determine that the business meets the required building codes to operate the type of business described. To ensure compliance, the division may also do a site inspection. Site inspections will typically be performed on all new builds, remodels, assembly uses, and automotive repair facilities. Someone from the Building Division will contact a business representative directly to schedule a licensing inspection if one is needed for the approval. The issuance of a business license does not take the place of, or mean that the applicant does not need to obtain a building permit for construction work. Building permits are required for most building construction activities, including any plumbing, mechanical or electrical work.
Find our online permitting here
Link to building permit fee schedule here
New Construction:
Tenant finish/remodel: Building permits will be required for any modifications or improvements to the building. It is recommended that you work with a design professional or architect if you are not familiar with construction practices. If changing anything on the exterior or roof or adding outside seating area will require authorization from the planning dept.
For more information, please contact: permits@cityofwestminster.us – 303.658.2075
Online permitting system, eTRAKiT
Westminster Community Development
Fire Department – this will address any safety concerns as well as fire code compliance. This applies to new and existing buildings, tenant improvements, change of occupancies, and residential uses. The use, modification, or additional of required fire protection systems will be reviewed. If there is a concern, someone from the Fire Department will contact a business representative directly to schedule a licensing inspection.
For more information, please contact: 303.658.4500
Sales Tax Division – this will ensure the requested reporting frequency in box 64 is appropriate for the type of business indicated. That Division will automatically mail out information to the tax correspondence address provided regarding the collection and remitting of Sales/Use Tax to the city. This mailing will provide the account number generated and the set filing frequency but it does not mean that the issuance of the license has been approved. Any sales tax collected, or use tax due, prior to receiving a city business license must still be remitted timely. A blank sales tax return is on our website.
For more information, please contact: salestax@cityofwestminster.us – 303.658.2065
PRINTABLE PDF: STEP 7Approval – Once the City Clerk’s Office receives all of the approvals, a license will be generated on a 4×9 cardstock and mailed to the licensing correspondence address provided. They do not keep a copy of the license with the file so it is important that you have the license available upon request at the business and keep your account number handy for any question and tax filings.
Denial – Should a division have grounds to deny a license, a letter will be mailed indicating the reason for the denial.
PRINTABLE PDF: STEP 8Congratulations and welcome to Westminster!
Westminster’s Department of Economic Development offers a variety of programs and services to help new and expanding businesses.
Westminster Economic Development
For more information, please contact:
Shelby Wood, Senior Business Resource Management Analyst
swood@cityofwestminster.us – 303.658.2168
The Colorado Department of Labor can help access the tools you need to start your business.
Learn moreInformation about industries that require state licensing and operate under other regulatory guidelines.
Learn moreState tax information, state Sales Tax ID, and other resources for businesses such as wage withholding and unemployment insurance.
Learn moreGuidance on international trade issues.
Learn moreThe purpose of the Colorado PTAC is to generate employment and improve the general economic condition of the state by assisting Colorado companies including those eligible for preferential consideration in obtaining and performing under local, state and federal government contracts.
Learn moreTo look up existing trade names, and register your own.
Learn moreHow to submit a W-4 for any new hires within 20 days of start date.
Learn moreInformation about business structure, obtaining a FEIN, and other tax questions.
Learn moreA nonprofit organization dedicated to entrepreneur education and the formation, growth and success of small business nationwide.
Learn moreAn excellent general reference for both new and growing firms in Colorado.
Learn moreAre you a business owner? Or thinking of starting your own business? Our libraries can help you find new customers, explore grant opportunities and enhance your business and technology skills. Our libraries offer a wealth of resources that will help you invest your money wisely.
Learn moreFor a complete list of financial resources and grants, along with networking resources and training opportunities, visit the Existing Business Resources page on our website. Click the link below:
Existing Business ResourcesWestminster companies and employees have access to several private- and public- sponsored training programs and industry associations that support continuing education in a variety of fields and industries. Click the link below to access all of our workforce resources:
Workforce ResourcesNOTE: this is not meant to be an all-inclusive list and is subject to change. If you have questions or feedback, please contact us. Thank you!
Contact Information:
Stephanie Troller
stroller@cityofwestminster.us or 303-658-2318
Shelby Wood
swood@cityofwestminster.us or 303-658-2168
