The three largest of those industries in Colorado are accounting, tax prep and bookkeeping firms (3,721 establishments), insurance agencies and brokerages (3,165), and dental practices (2,984). WETYR buys qualifying Colorado businesses directly and confidentially, and, with an owner's OK, introduces Colorado owners to registry buyers whose buy box fits. Owners and buyers then deal directly with their own advisors.
The largest owner-operated industries in Colorado
Colorado ranks 10th in the country for accounting, tax prep and bookkeeping firms, with 3,721 establishments, or 2.8% of the U.S. total, against 1.7% of the U.S. population. The fifteen largest Colorado categories follow.
| Industry | Establishments | Per 100k residents | Index vs U.S. | U.S. rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting, tax prep and bookkeeping firms | 3,721 | 64.5 | 1.58 | 10th |
| Insurance agencies and brokerages | 3,165 | 54.8 | 1.35 | 12th |
| Dental practices | 2,984 | 51.7 | 1.27 | 15th |
| Plumbing and HVAC contractors | 2,562 | 44.4 | 1.35 | 14th |
| Landscaping and tree services | 2,433 | 42.2 | 1.20 | 16th |
| Electrical contractors | 2,154 | 37.3 | 1.52 | 11th |
| IT services and computer systems design | 1,650 | 28.6 | 1.70 | 11th |
| Commercial cleaning and janitorial services | 1,574 | 27.3 | 1.37 | 15th |
| General auto repair shops | 1,548 | 26.8 | 1.06 | 21st |
| Gas stations with convenience stores | 1,353 | 23.4 | 0.81 | 27th |
| Physical therapy clinics | 1,130 | 19.6 | 1.31 | 14th |
| Childcare centers | 1,126 | 19.5 | 0.82 | 22nd |
| Site preparation and excavation contractors | 985 | 17.1 | 1.45 | 14th |
| Veterinary practices | 915 | 15.9 | 1.61 | 12th |
| Fitness centers and gyms | 910 | 15.8 | 1.32 | 14th |
Where Colorado is over and under the national average
Per resident, Colorado runs heaviest in roofing contractors (864 establishments, index 2.11, 6th nationally by count); IT services and computer systems design (1,650 establishments, index 1.70, 11th nationally by count); veterinary practices (915 establishments, index 1.61, 12th nationally by count). That top index of 2.11 means 111% more roofing contractors per Colorado resident than the U.S. average. More local operators usually means more comparable sales to price against.
At the other end, Colorado is thinnest in funeral homes (index 0.41) and pharmacies and drug stores (index 0.46). For an acquirer, an underweight category is worth a second look: scarcity can support pricing, but it also narrows the local buyer pool at exit.
Colorado counties with the most owner-operated businesses
| County or area | Establishments | Median household income | Median home value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arapahoe County | 4,416 | $92,292 | $480,500 |
| Jefferson County | 4,067 | $103,167 | $556,800 |
| Denver County | 4,056 | $85,853 | $540,400 |
| El Paso County | 4,004 | $82,748 | $390,500 |
| Adams County | 2,639 | $86,297 | $425,000 |
| Larimer County | 2,471 | $87,199 | $488,300 |
| Boulder County | 2,241 | $99,770 | $671,100 |
| Douglas County | 2,107 | $139,010 | $635,100 |
| Weld County | 1,822 | $89,182 | $412,200 |
| Mesa County | 973 | $68,077 | $312,600 |
Arapahoe County, Jefferson County, Denver County hold 35% of the 35,954 tracked establishments across 57 Colorado counties or areas. Median household income runs from $47,500 in Otero County to $139,010 in Douglas County (2.9x), which changes what a buyer underwrites.
Colorado metro markets
Denver, Colorado Springs, Aurora, Fort Collins, Arvada and Westminster are the 6 Colorado metros with dedicated WETYR city pages, linked below for accounting, tax prep and bookkeeping firms and insurance agencies and brokerages.
- Denver, about 649,495 residents (Jefferson County); nearest markets Englewood (6 mi), Arvada (7 mi)
- Colorado Springs, about 439,886 residents (El paso County); nearest markets Pueblo (42 mi), Littleton (55 mi)
- Aurora, about 345,803 residents (Arapahoe County); nearest markets Denver (8 mi), Englewood (10 mi)
- Fort Collins, about 152,061 residents (Larimer County); nearest markets Greeley (23 mi), Longmont (29 mi)
- Arvada, about 111,707 residents (Jefferson County); nearest markets Westminster (4 mi), Denver (7 mi)
- Westminster, about 110,945 residents (Adams County); nearest markets Arvada (4 mi), Broomfield (6 mi)
Working with WETYR in Colorado
WETYR buys Colorado businesses directly, with no listing and no broker commission, and, with your OK, introduces Colorado owners to registry buyers who fit.
Get a confidential valuation
Tell us a little about your business in Colorado. We reply with an indicative value range and whether we are a direct fit, within one business day. No obligation, no listing, nothing public.
Colorado business sale FAQ
How many small businesses are in the industries WETYR buys in Colorado?
U.S. Census County Business Patterns counts about 35,954 establishments in Colorado across the 37 owner-operated industries WETYR tracks, 15th among the 50 states. With roughly 5,770,790 residents, that works out to 62.3 establishments per 10,000 people versus 50.1 nationally. Colorado holds 2.17% of the U.S. total in these industries and 1.75% of the population.
Which industries are most common in Colorado?
By establishment count the largest are accounting, tax prep and bookkeeping firms (3,721), insurance agencies and brokerages (3,165), and dental practices (2,984). Accounting, tax prep and bookkeeping firms alone is 10.3% of the state's tracked total. Relative to population, Colorado is most concentrated in roofing contractors, IT services and computer systems design and veterinary practices.
Does Colorado tax the gain when I sell my business?
Yes. Colorado taxes personal income, so the gain on a sale is generally subject to state tax in addition to federal tax. How much depends on structure: asset versus stock sale, how the purchase price is allocated, and whether part is paid over time. Model the after-tax number with a Colorado CPA before you accept a headline price.
Where in Colorado are most of these businesses located?
Arapahoe County leads with about 4,416 tracked establishments, followed by Jefferson County (4,067) and Denver County (4,056). Together the top three hold 35% of the state total. Median household income in Arapahoe County is $92,292 and the median home value is $480,500. The smallest tracked area is Bent County with 3.
Sell by industry in Colorado
Other Mountain West states
Sources
Census County Business Patterns (employer establishments, NAICS 2017); American Community Survey 5-year. Ranks and indexes: WETYR calculations, 50 states.