How to choose a plumber in Denver

How are plumbers licensed in Colorado?

Colorado's State Plumbing Board, part of the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), licenses individual plumbers in three classes: master, journeyworker and residential. Under C.R.S. 12-155-109, only people qualified and licensed under the plumbing statute may advertise using those titles, and a company may not advertise as a plumbing business under the statutory title unless it meets the legal definition. That gives you a simple first test: if someone advertises a license, it should show up in the state's records.

There is one main exemption. C.R.S. 12-155-118 says the plumbing law does not require an individual to hold a license to do plumbing work on their own property or residence, with exceptions for property intended for sale or resale and for rental property occupied by tenants. A handyman working on your house is not covered by that exemption.

How do you look up a Colorado plumbing license?

1. Open the DORA license lookup; the site may show a short human verification check first.
2. Search for the plumber by name. Plumbing licenses are issued through the State Plumbing Board.
3. Confirm the name matches the person who will do or supervise the work, the status is active and the class fits the job.
4. Note any disciplinary actions shown on the record.

Ask for the individual's name, not just the company name. Licenses belong to people.

Do Denver and the suburbs require a city license too?

Often, yes. Denver's Contractor Licensing office says plumbing companies must renew their state contractor card and master card with DORA before renewing their Denver license, and that Denver does not accept licenses from other counties or states. You can verify a Denver license by emailing Contr.Licensing@denvergov.org or calling (720) 865-2770. Suburbs add their own rules:

City	Local requirement
Aurora	State master and contractor licenses on file with the Building Division; online contractor lookup
Arvada	Active City of Arvada license needed to apply for permits online
Lakewood	City registration required for hired contractors
Littleton and Parker	All contractors must be licensed with the city or town

What should you check besides the license?

The BBB's tips for hiring a plumber recommend getting several detailed written estimates instead of stopping at one, checking whether materials are included, reading reviews and the company's BBB complaint history, and verifying both licensing and insurance. The FTC's guide to avoiding home improvement scams adds:

• Get a written estimate that describes the work, materials, completion date and price.
• The contract should list the contractor's name, address, phone number and license number, plus start and completion dates.
• Write any verbal promises into the contract, and make sure every blank is filled in before you sign.
• If you sign at home, you should get a written statement of your right to cancel within three business days.
• Do not pay the full amount up front, and do not make the final payment until the work is done to your satisfaction.
• Search the company name with words like "scam," "review" or "complaint."

What are the warning signs?

The FTC lists door-to-door sellers who say they are "in the area," offers of materials "left over from a previous job," pressure for an immediate decision and requests for cash only or full payment up front. In plumbing, add a refusal to pull a permit for a water heater or sewer repair, and a large repair recommended without showing you the problem, such as a sewer replacement without camera footage.

Hiring in an emergency

You can still check a license from your phone in two minutes while water is shut off. Our emergency plumber guide explains how to stabilize a leak first, and the Denver cost guide shows typical prices so you can judge a quote. Our reviews page explains where to check a company's track record.

How this site fits in

We are an independent guide, not a contractor; we do not perform plumbing work. If you would like help finding someone, email us a request. We reply with next steps and, where a licensed local contractor is available, an introduction. You should still run the checks above on anyone you hire.