Ready to Get Started? Book a Free Strategy Call
Home › All States › Colorado
🏔️
Colorado · The Centennial State

Home Care Licensing
in Colorado

Colorado has a rigorous Class A & B home care licensing process regulated by CDPHE. TBOSC is Colorado's only consulting firm run by a former in-state home care operator — we know every step, every requirement, and every common mistake.

Schedule a Free Call See Requirements
100%
Survey Pass Rate
Ch. 2 & 26
Colorado Regulations
CDPHE
Approved Training
Class A & B
Both License Types
Class A: Skilled Home Health
Class B: Non-Medical Personal Care
Welcome to Colorado

A Message From Lucas

Before you dive in, hear directly from me about what it takes to start a home care agency in Colorado — the licensing process, common mistakes, and how TBOSC can help you get it right the first time.

Colorado At a Glance
Licensing Authority
CDPHE
Colorado Dept. of Public Health & Environment
Governing Chapters
Ch. 2 & 26
6 CCR 1011-1, Chapters 2 and 26
Est. Processing Time
4–6 Months
From application to on-site survey
License Types
Class A & Class B
Medical (A) and Non-Medical (B)
Colorado License Types

Class A & Class B:
Know the Difference

Colorado regulates home care agencies under two distinct license classes. Choosing the right class is the first and most important decision you'll make — it determines your services, staffing requirements, and regulatory obligations.

Class B Most Common Starting Point
Non-Medical Home Care Agency
Class B agencies provide personal care, homemaking, companionship, and non-medical assistance with activities of daily living. No skilled nursing or therapy services are provided under this license.
  • Personal care & hygiene assistance (bathing, grooming, dressing)
  • Homemaking services (cooking, cleaning, laundry)
  • Companionship and supervision
  • Medication reminders (not administration)
  • Transportation assistance
  • Respite care for family caregivers
Governing RegulationChapter 26, 6 CCR 1011-1
Administrator Training8-Hour CDPHE Approved Course
On-Site SurveyRequired before license issued
P&P Manual RequiredYes — 350+ pages
Annual Agency EvaluationRequired — Governing Body
Primary PayerPrivate Pay, Medicaid, VA
Class A Medical Services
Medical Home Care Agency
Class A agencies provide skilled medical services under physician orders — including nursing care, therapy, and clinical assessments. Higher regulatory requirements reflect the clinical nature of these services.
  • Skilled nursing visits (RN/LPN)
  • Physical, occupational & speech therapy
  • Medical social work
  • Wound care & IV therapy
  • Post-surgical care
  • Chronic disease management
Governing RegulationChapter 2 & 26, 6 CCR 1011-1
Clinical Director RequiredYes — Licensed RN
On-Site SurveyRequired before license issued
P&P Manual RequiredYes — Clinical & operational
Medicare CertificationOptional — additional process
Primary PayerMedicare, Medicaid, Commercial
The Licensing Process

How to Get Your
Colorado Home Care License

Colorado's CDPHE licensing process is multi-step and requires careful preparation. Missing a step or submitting an incomplete application causes significant delays.

01
Form Your Business Entity
File your LLC or corporation with the Colorado Secretary of State. Obtain your EIN from the IRS. Register for Colorado state taxes with the Department of Revenue.
Foundation
02
Secure Office Space & Insurance
Colorado requires a physical in-state business address. Obtain general liability, professional liability, and workers compensation insurance. Confirm surety bond requirements with CDPHE.
Pre-Application
03
Complete Administrator Training
The designated Administrator must complete the CDPHE-required 8-Hour Initial Training before the application can be submitted. TBOSC's course is the only one built specifically for Colorado Ch. 2 & 26.
Required First
04
Submit the CDPHE Application
Complete and submit the Colorado home care agency application to CDPHE with all required attachments: P&P manual, insurance certificates, proof of training, ownership disclosure, and office documentation.
Application
05
Develop Policies & Procedures
Your P&P manual must be complete before you apply. Class B requires 350+ pages of policies directly aligned with Chapter 26 regulations. TBOSC provides state-compliant, fully customized P&P packages.
Critical Step
06
Prepare for the On-Site Survey
CDPHE will schedule an on-site survey of your physical office and documentation. This is where most agencies fail if unprepared. TBOSC provides dedicated survey prep consulting to ensure you pass with zero deficiencies.
Most Critical
07
Pass the Survey & Receive License
The CDPHE surveyor reviews your policies, office setup, and documentation. Upon passing, your Colorado home care license is issued. TBOSC clients have maintained a 100% first-survey pass rate.
Final Step
08
Ongoing Compliance & CEUs
Colorado requires ongoing CEU training for Administrators, an Annual Agency Operations Evaluation completed by the Governing Body, and staying current with Chapter 26 regulation changes as they occur.
Ongoing
Colorado-Specific Products

Everything You Need to Launch & Comply

Get Pricing
Policies & Procedures
Class B Non-Medical Agency P&P Package
350+ pages of fully customized, Chapter 26-compliant policies and procedures for Colorado Class B agencies. Instantly available digital download — the most comprehensive P&P package in Colorado.
Get Pricing
Policies & Procedures
Class A Medical Agency P&P Package
44 fully customizable clinical and operational policies for Colorado Class A agencies, directly aligned with Chapter 26, Section 7. Covers all clinical service categories and CDPHE survey requirements.
Get Pricing
CDPHE Approved Training
Essentials for Administrators — 8 CEU Hours
The only online 8-hour Administrator course approved by CDPHE and taught by a former Colorado home care operator. Meets the initial and ongoing CEU requirement for Class A & B agency administrators.
Get Pricing
Annual Compliance
Annual Agency Operations Evaluation (2 CEUs)
Step-by-step course for completing the required Annual Agency Operations Evaluation for Class A & B agencies. Required by Governing Body under Ch. 26, Section 7.1(D). Includes all required annual program templates.
Get Pricing
1-on-1 Consulting
New Agency Launch Consulting
Dedicated consulting for agencies starting the Colorado licensing process. Covers entity formation, application preparation, P&P review, pre-survey office setup, and survey day preparation.
Get Pricing
Survey & Compliance
Plan of Correction Assistance
Received a deficiency after your CDPHE survey? TBOSC helps you write a compliant Plan of Correction that satisfies surveyors and protects your license. Fast turnaround — we understand the urgency.
Get Pricing
CDPHE Approved

Essentials for Administrators — 8-Hour Initial Course

The only CDPHE-approved online course built specifically for Colorado home care regulations. Available 24/7 — complete at your own pace.

CDPHE Approved Class A & B 8 CEU Hours 100% Online
Enroll — $299
5.0 ★
Average rating
from 75+ Colorado agencies
CDPHE Required Training

The Training Colorado Requires — Built for Colorado

Colorado's Chapter 26 requires every home care agency administrator to complete an 8-hour initial training course approved by CDPHE before the agency license can be issued.

  • Covers all CDPHE Chapter 26 regulatory requirements in depth
  • Updated continuously as Colorado regulations change
  • Exclusive content on survey preparation and compliance
  • Taught by the only trainer with direct Colorado home care agency operations experience
  • Fulfills ongoing CEU requirements in addition to initial training
  • Instant access — complete on your schedule, 24/7
  • Certificate of completion provided for CDPHE application
Enroll in the Course
Colorado Client Results

What Colorado Agencies Say About TBOSC

★★★★★
Consulting & P&Ps
We are truly grateful to Lucas for being there every step of the way. Lucas was so knowledgeable answering all our questions, providing a wealth of information and assisting in making the process easier. We passed our survey with zero deficiencies.
Courtney
Roaring Fork Homecare — Glenwood Springs, Colorado
★★★★★
New Agency Startup
Working with Lucas and The Business of Senior Care was one of the best, smartest pre-launch investments I made. My performance on the Site Survey wouldn't have been what it was without his guidance. I highly recommend him for any home care agency in Denver.
David
Nurse Next Door — Denver, CO
★★★★★
Consulting & P&Ps
Lucas quickly impressed us with his knowledge and expertise in home care. He created the P&Ps I needed and I passed my survey thanks to him! I can't recommend his services highly enough.
Jasmina
Care & Care Home Care — Aurora, Colorado
★★★★★
Essentials 8-Hour Course
I absolutely recommend the Essentials for Agency Managers & Administrators Course! It's CDPHE approved and packed with useful, detailed content focused on getting and staying compliant. The on-demand, 24/7 availability is huge.
Audrey
Community Options, Inc. — Littleton, Colorado
★★★★★
Consulting & P&Ps
Lucas has always been transparent and supportive. His Policies and Procedures were on point, and he helped us prepare for the survey. At the end, we passed our survey with No Deficiencies. Lucas was really helpful.
Sandra
Carebound Healthcare Agency — Colorado Springs, Colorado
★★★★★
Consulting
Lucas definitely offers the experience of someone who has run a home care agency with the expertise of knowing Chapter 26 in great detail. His response rate to our questions was always prompt. We would recommend The Business of Senior Care!
Meshelle
Right at Home — Grand Junction, Colorado
Why TBOSC for Colorado

The Only Colorado Consulting
Firm Built From the Inside

TBOSC was started by a Colorado home care operator. We didn't learn Colorado regulations from a textbook — we lived them running an agency in Denver under Chapter 2 and 26.

Colorado-Based, Colorado-Focused
Our company was founded in Colorado and is headquartered in Franktown, CO. We know CDPHE, Chapter 26, and the Colorado market from the inside out.
100% Survey Pass Rate in Colorado
Every TBOSC client that has gone through our licensing and survey preparation process has passed their initial CDPHE survey. That's hundreds of Colorado agencies.
CDPHE-Approved Training Provider
TBOSC is one of the only CDPHE-approved training and consulting companies for Class A & B agencies in Colorado — recognized by the state itself.
Always-Current P&Ps
Colorado Chapter 26 regulations change frequently. Our P&P packages are updated as regulations change — you always get compliant, current documentation.
Colorado Results
0%
First-survey pass rate for Colorado TBOSC clients
0+
Colorado home care agencies & leaders served
CDPHE
Approved training & consulting company for Class A & B agencies
Only
Company with direct experience running a Colorado agency under Ch. 2 & 26
Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About
Colorado Home Care Licensing

How long does it take to get a home care license in Colorado?
The typical timeline from application submission to receiving your license is 4–6 months. However, this depends on the completeness of your application, how quickly you complete the required administrator training, and CDPHE's current processing queue. Working with TBOSC can significantly reduce delays by ensuring your application is complete and compliant from the start.
What's the difference between a Class A and Class B license?
Class B is for non-medical home care agencies providing personal care, homemaking, companionship, and assistance with activities of daily living. Class A is for medical home care agencies that provide skilled nursing, therapy, and other medical services under physician orders. Class A has higher regulatory requirements and requires a licensed RN as Clinical Director.
Do I need the 8-hour administrator training before I apply?
Yes. Colorado requires the designated Administrator to complete a CDPHE-approved 8-hour initial training course before the license application can be submitted. TBOSC offers the only online course specifically built for Colorado Chapter 26 regulations, available 24/7 so you can complete it on your own schedule.
What happens during the CDPHE on-site survey?
A CDPHE surveyor will visit your physical office to review your policies and procedures manual, verify your documentation is in order, inspect your office setup, and confirm that you meet all Chapter 26 regulatory requirements. This is the most critical step — agencies that are unprepared often receive deficiencies. TBOSC provides dedicated survey prep consulting to ensure you pass with zero deficiencies.
Can I operate a home care agency from my home in Colorado?
Colorado requires a physical in-state business address for your agency. While some agencies have operated from home offices, CDPHE has specific requirements about the office space that must be met during the on-site survey. We recommend discussing your specific situation with TBOSC during a free discovery call to understand all requirements.
How much does it cost to start a home care agency in Colorado?
Startup costs vary depending on your license class and business model, but generally include: LLC formation and registration fees, the CDPHE application fee, insurance (general liability, professional liability, workers compensation), office space, administrator training, and policies and procedures documentation. Most agencies budget between $15,000–$30,000 for total startup costs. TBOSC can help you create a detailed budget during a consultation.
Ready to Move Forward?

Let’s Get Your Colorado
Agency Licensed & Open

Whether you're starting from scratch or need help at a specific stage, TBOSC offers 1-on-1 consulting tailored to exactly where you are in the process.

Schedule a Free Discovery Call Call 888-818-8426
All 50 States

Browse Other States

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming