While it is the business owner’s responsibility to research applicable regulations and obtain any necessary licenses or permits, staff is here to help.

Please visit Economic Development for more information & support.

City Planning and Building staff will help you determine what requirements are needed. Most City requirements are set out in Uniform Development Code and the International Building Code. New construction typically requires more up-front work than does moving into an existing building, however with the changes in regulations through the years, existing buildings may have non-conformities that may need to be addressed in order to lawfully operate.

A non-conformity is something that was lawfully established under a previous use code but does not meet the current code. It is sometimes referred to as being ‘grandfathered in’. There are many kinds of non-conformities, such as the use, building, signs, parking, etc. Certain kinds of redevelopment may trigger updating a property to other aspects of the code. Never assume that because a certain type of business was previously allowed in your potential location that it is currently allowed to be there as opposed to being grandfathered in.

Set up a meeting with the Building Official for a walkthrough inspection. If the building is changing occupancy class, you may have to perform work on the building to meet safety requirements.

All retailers, with a physical presence in the City of Alamosa, are required to have a business license.

Retailers that do not have a physical presence (or have a minimal presence), utilize the Colorado SUTS, and have a state standard retail license, are exempt from business licensing requirements.

Yes, renewals can be processed online. 

More information on sales tax and business licenses is available here.

Sales tax licenses are needed for any business operating within the city of Alamosa which conducts retail sales. Licenses must be renewed annually through the Finance Office.

The City of Alamosa contracts with the State of Colorado for tax filing and remittance.

For sales tax remittance, please visit the Colorado Sales Tax Portal 
Use tax is filed and paid directly to the City of Alamosa. 

Use taxes are filed via paper forms directly to the City of Alamosa's Finance Offices

Finance Office 
City of Alamosa
300 Hunt Ave, Alamosa, CO 81101

For more information, please visit the Colorado Sales & Use Tax Portal 

New liquor licenses may be granted by City Council. If you are moving or expanding your business and already have a liquor license, your license will have to be amended. 

Any person or entity selling, leasing, renting, or granting a license to use tangible personal property or services at retail.

Includes but is not limited to, any:

1. Auctioneer
2. Salesperson, representative, peddler or canvasser, who makes sales as a direct or indirect agent, or obtains such property or services sold from a dealer, distributor, supervisor or employer
3. Charitable organization, or governmental entity which makes sales of tangible personal property to the public, notwithstanding the fact that the merchandise sold may have been acquired by gift or donation, or that the proceeds are to be used for charitable or governmental purposes
4. Retailer-contractor, when acting in the capacity of a seller of building supplies, construction materials, and other tangible personal property

Signage is governed by the Uniform Development Code. Most sign installations require you to submit a sign permit application with City Land Use. These permits are free. 

In most cases, the City does not finance private businesses; however the City does have a façade grant for businesses in certain locations. Other local incentives are available on a case by case review and are subject to approval of the City Council.

You will likely need a building permit for all work except for painting, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops, and other finish work.

You will get a certificate of occupancy if you have changed occupancy class and meet the building safety requirements or if you have pulled a building permit and performed all work to building code standards.