From application to approval, we handle your CDPHE licensing — then hand you the platform to run your agency from day one. Most consultancies disappear when your license arrives. We keep going.
Want to open a non-medical home care agency in Colorado? You need a Class B Home Care Agency License from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Plan on 90–150 days for provisional approval plus an on-site survey. State filing fees total $2,200 and are paid directly to CDPHE.
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
License Types
1 Categories
Class B Home Care Agency License
Certificate of Need
Not Required
Non-medical home care agencies do not require a CON in Colorado.
Medicaid Program
Community First Choice (CFC)
Plus the Medicaid Provider Bonding for qualifying providers.
Home Care License Type in Colorado
Colorado regulates home-based care under several license categories. Most new founders start with a Class B Home Care Agency License for non-medical care, then add skilled services later if they choose.
NON-MEDICAL
Class B Home Care Agency License
Colorado requires a Class B Home Care Agency License for non-medical home care agencies providing personal care services.
Personal care and daily living assistance
Companionship and homemaker services
Medication reminders (not administration)
Transportation and errand assistance
Respite care for family caregivers
State fee:
$2,200 Initial Class B License Fee
Timeline:
3-5 Months for provisional approval
Regulator:
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
How to Get Licensed in Colorado
Colorado licensing follows a structured 7-step process through CDPHE. Our specialists handle all 7 steps in the Launch and Signature packages; in the Licensing Kit, you handle the submission yourself with our expert guidance.
90–150 days from start to provisional approval
1
FOUNDATION
2
APPLICATION
3
POLICIES
4
OPERATIONS
1
Confirm You Need Class B
FOUNDATION
Determine that your agency will provide non-medical personal care rather than skilled care. If you plan to provide skilled services, you may need Class A instead.
2
Submit the Letter of Intent
APPLICATION
Colorado requires a Letter of Intent before the full home care agency application process can move forward.
3
Form Your Business and Appoint a Manager
POLICIES
Register your business entity, obtain an EIN, and designate a Home Care Agency Manager who meets Colorado's minimum qualifications.
4
Build Policies, Staffing Plan, and Operations
POLICIES
Prepare agency policies, procedures, staffing standards, competency processes, and operational documentation for review.
5
Complete the Full Application
APPLICATION
Submit the Class B application, required supporting materials, and the initial license fee to CDPHE.
6
Respond to CDPHE Review
OPERATIONS
The state reviews the application and may request corrections, clarifications, or missing documentation.
7
Prepare for Operational Launch
OPERATIONS
Finalize hiring, scheduling, caregiver competency processes, insurance, and referral outreach so the agency is ready once licensed.
Why Colorado Founders Choose HomeCareAtlas
The biggest difference between us and traditional consultancies isn't the license — it's what happens after the license arrives.
Traditional Consultant
HomeCareAtlas
Pricing
Gated, sales-call only
Published online, no surprises
Policies & Procedures
Generic templates
Built around your state and your service model
Application Filing
You assemble the packet
Done-for-you in Launch and Signature
Survey Day
You're on your own
On-call phone support during your state visit
After License Arrives
Relationship ends
Platform, dashboard, and directory listing go live
Caregiver Onboarding
Not included
Digital onboarding ready for hire #1
Compliance Tracking
You build a spreadsheet
Live compliance dashboard included
Directory Presence
None
Listed on Carezano the day you open
Three Ways to Get Your Colorado Agency Licensed
Pick the level of support that matches how hands-on you want to be. Colorado state fees ($2,200 to CDPHE) are passed through at cost.
Atlas Licensing Kit
Get licensed without mistakes
$995+ state fees
For self-directed founders who want expert guidance and will file the application themselves.
Licensing
Colorado licensing roadmap
Annotated application guide
Custom P&P manual (state-ready)
Prep tools
Office setup checklist
Bond & insurance sourcing
Admin interview prep
Survey prep guide
Expert support
2 × 60-min strategy calls
Application red-line review
60 days email support
Platform
3 months free Atlas SaaS
Free Carezano directory listing
Upgrade to Launch for
Done-for-you filing
Medicaid enrollment
Website & launch kit
Live survey prep
Most Popular
Atlas Launch
Licensed & ready for first client
$2,995+ state fees
For founders ready to be fully licensed, operational, and taking their first client on day one.
Everything in Licensing Kit, plus:
Application prepared & filed
P&P custom-built for your model
Background check coordination
Surety bond assistance
Site review prep
Live admin interview prep
Survey & enrollment
Live survey prep session
Survey-day on-call support
Medicaid enrollment guidance
Waiver enrollment guidance
50% off plan-of-correction support
Launch setup
Atlas Edge
Branded website landing page
Google Business Profile setup
Caregiver recruitment kit
HR / employee handbook
Intake + care plan templates
Scheduling templates
Support & platform
90 days Slack/email support
6 months free Atlas SaaS
Priority Carezano placement
Licensing approval guarantee
Upgrade to Signature for
Business formation (LLC, EIN)
Full brand + multi-page site
Go-to-market system
Founder-level attention
Atlas Signature
White-glove launch & full setup
$5,995+ state fees
For founders who want direct access, white-glove execution, and long-term support with minimal lift.
Everything in Launch, plus:
LLC formation + EIN
Registered agent (1st year)
Operating agreement
Full brand + web
Logo + branding kit
Business cards + marketing materials
Multi-page website
Domain + professional email
Go-to-market system
First-month marketing plan
Curated referral source list for your area
Discharge planner scripts
Private pay contracts
LTC insurance setup
Premium support
Signature Only
Weekly calls (first 60 days)
Direct phone/text access
Founder-level attention
Extended support
6 months compliance support
12 months free Atlas SaaS
Premium directory placement
First-year renewal included
1 free plan of correction
What are state fees?Hide state fee details
Colorado charges a state application fee, paid directly to the state licensing body. We don't mark it up.
Every tier includes free time on Home Care Atlas — the operating system for your new agency. This is the part other Colorado consultancies don't offer.
Colorado Licensing Workspace
Track your application, documents, and deadlines in one dashboard. Your Atlas specialist works in the same view you do.
Custom Colorado P&P Manual
Written around your state's rules, your service model, and your agency — not a generic national template. Survey-ready before you file.
Business Formation
LLC, EIN, NPI, surety bond, and insurance — all tracked and handled in Launch and Signature packages.
Compliance Dashboard
From caregiver #1 onward, every certification, background check, and required document is tracked with automatic expiration alerts.
Caregiver Onboarding
I-9, W-4, direct deposit, and required background-check verifications — all collected digitally.
Carezano Directory Listing
Listed on our public directory the day you open. Local families find you, referral partners find you, you're visible from day one.
Common Questions Before You Book
How much does a home care license cost in Colorado?
Colorado's Class B Home Care Agency License has an initial application fee of $2,200 and an annual renewal fee of $1,325. Total startup costs are usually much higher once insurance, hiring, office setup, and working capital are included.
How long does licensing take in Colorado?
A realistic planning estimate is 3 to 5 months, depending on how quickly you complete the Letter of Intent, application materials, and any follow-up requests from the state.
What is the difference between Class A and Class B in Colorado?
Class B is for non-medical personal care, while Class A is for skilled home care. Choosing the wrong category can delay approval and create compliance problems.
What insurance is required in Colorado?
Workers' compensation is required under Colorado labor law. General liability is important even if the state does not specify a minimum amount for this license type, and Medicaid participation can trigger additional requirements.
Is Colorado a good market for home care agencies?
Yes. Colorado is a strong market because of retiree migration, affluent pockets, and growth in senior demand, though the Denver area is more competitive than many founders expect.
Colorado Home Care Licensing: What You Need to Know
Colorado requires a Class B Home Care Agency License for non-medical home care agencies providing personal care services. Class A is for skilled home care, so choosing the correct license type early is critical to avoiding delays and compliance issues.
The Class B Home Care Agency License
Colorado requires a mandatory Letter of Intent before you submit the full application. Class B covers non-medical personal care services, while Class A is for skilled care. The Home Care Agency Manager must meet minimum qualification requirements, including a high school diploma or GED and at least 1 year of supervisory experience. Colorado also requires required administrator certification (typical cost Varies).
Certificate of Need (CON) in Colorado
Colorado does not require a Certificate of Need (CON) for non-medical home care. You can move directly into the licensing process without a separate market-need review.
Medicaid Participation — Community First Choice (CFC)
Colorado's Community First Choice framework increases the compliance importance of licensure for providers serving HCBS waiver populations.
Common Reasons Colorado Applications Are Rejected or Delayed
Generic P&P manuals that don't reflect state-specific regulations
Incomplete administrator documentation
Insurance or surety bond policies that don't meet state minimums
Missing or inadequate quality assurance program documentation
Physical office that doesn't meet site-review standards
Caregiver background checks that miss required state databases
Every one of these is preventable with proper preparation. It's the biggest reason founders choose done-for-you packages over DIY — the cost of a rejection in lost time is almost always higher than the cost of doing it right the first time.
Book a Free Colorado Strategy Call
30 minutes with a home care specialist. We'll map out Colorado licensing for your specific situation, your timeline, and your best path forward — even if you don't hire us.
Which Colorado license type fits your business model (Class B Home Care Agency License)
Your realistic timeline and budget
Whether Community First Choice (CFC) enrollment makes sense for your plan
Common Colorado-specific mistakes to avoid
If you'd like, which Atlas package is right for you
No pressure. No obligation. Colorado-specific guidance either way.
Your Future Colorado Clients Are Already Looking for Care.
Every week you spend piecing this together alone is a week you're not serving your first Colorado client. Let's get your agency licensed, launched, and visible — with people on your side who know CDPHE.
Built exclusively for non-medical home care|Colorado-specific guidance under 6 CCR 1011-1 Ch. 26 (Home Care Agencies)|Platform & HomeCareAtlas directory on day one
Colorado licensing details verified by HomeCareAtlas on March 1, 2026.
