What is a Certificate of Insurance (COI)?

A Certificate of Insurance (COI) is a document issued by an insurance company that verifies a vendor or subcontractor has active insurance coverage. General contractors and property managers require COIs to confirm vendors carry adequate general liability, workers compensation, and other required policies before allowing them on a job site.

How does VendorShield automate COI tracking?

VendorShield uses AI to analyze uploaded COI PDFs instantly. It extracts policy details including coverage types, limits, effective dates, and insurer information. The system automatically scores each COI for risk, flags coverage gaps against your requirements, and sends alerts before policies expire.

Can vendors upload their own COIs?

Yes. VendorShield provides each vendor with a self-serve portal link. Vendors can upload their COIs directly without needing an account. This eliminates the back-and-forth email chains that typically slow down compliance.

How much does VendorShield cost?

VendorShield starts at $499/month for the Starter plan (up to 25 vendors). The Pro plan is $799/month with unlimited vendors and custom compliance rules. Enterprise pricing is custom with multi-organization support, SSO, and dedicated support. All plans include a 14-day free trial.

What types of businesses use VendorShield?

VendorShield is built for general contractors, construction firms, property management companies, and any business that needs to track vendor insurance compliance. If you manage subcontractors or third-party vendors who must carry insurance, VendorShield automates the entire process.

All states

COLocal-only (no statewide GC license)

Colorado Contractor License & Insurance Requirements

Colorado has no statewide GC license. Cities and counties (Denver, Aurora, Boulder, Colorado Springs, Lakewood, etc.) issue their own GC licenses. State licenses electricians (DORA) and plumbers (DORA) by examination. Roofers, HVAC, and most other trades are licensed locally.

License threshold

Local jurisdiction-specific. Denver: ≥$2,000 of structural alteration. Most cities: any work needing a building permit.

WC trigger

All employers (CRS §8-40-302)

Bond

Local. Denver: $5K to $50K depending on class. Trade boards (electrical/plumbing): no bond.

Authority

Verify license

License authority: No statewide GC license. Local jurisdictions (Denver, Aurora, Boulder, Colorado Springs). State licenses electricians + plumbers via DORA. — license verification portal.

Workers' comp posture

Colorado Revised Statutes §8-40-302 require WC for any employer with one or more employees. Sole-proprietors and corporate officers may elect coverage. Independent-contractor analysis under CRS §8-40-202 is fact-intensive.

Common public-bid insurance minimums

These are limits commonly required on CO public-works prequalification. They are NOT a state-mandated minimum — verify against your specific procurement spec or contract.

General Liability

$1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate (typical CDOT + Denver Public Schools spec)

Workers' Comp

Statutory + $500K-$1M Employer's Liability

Auto Liability

$1M combined single limit

Colorado state-specific quirks

GC licensing is entirely local — Denver has 5 classes (A/B/C/D/E), Aurora has its own, Boulder has its own. No statewide reciprocity.
DORA-licensed electricians and plumbers can work statewide for trade work, but local GC license still required for general supervision.
Roofing licensure is local — Colorado Springs requires a Roofing License separate from GC.
Marijuana-facility build-outs trigger additional MED licensure for the contractor — niche but high-volume in some markets.
Colorado Construction Defect Action Reform Act (CCDARA) shapes residential warranty exposure — affects long-tail completed-ops coverage.

3 pitfalls every CO GC misses

Assuming statewide reciprocity

There is no statewide GC license — a Denver Class B is not valid in Aurora. Verify the specific city's license for each project city.

Trade vs GC confusion

DORA licenses electricians and plumbers statewide for trade work, but a GC supervising those subs still needs a city GC license.

WC sole-prop exclusion

Sole-prop subs may elect to be excluded from WC — capture the WC exclusion form (Pinnacol or DOWC equivalent) at intake.

Automate Colorado sub vetting

VendorShield checks every COI for Colorado compliance — license currency against No statewide GC license. Local jurisdictions (Denver, Aurora, Boulder, Colorado Springs). State licenses electricians + plumbers via DORA., WC posture, public-bid limit minimums, and 3 state-specific pitfalls flagged at intake. No more manual statute lookups.

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Frequently asked questions

Does Colorado have a state GC license?

No. GC licensing is local (Denver, Aurora, Boulder, Colorado Springs, Lakewood, etc.). State licenses electricians and plumbers via DORA. Roofers, HVAC, and most other trades are licensed locally.

Are Colorado electrician and plumber licenses statewide?

Yes — DORA issues electrical (Master/Journeyman/Residential Wireman) and plumbing licenses statewide. Trade work is statewide; GC supervision still requires the city GC license.

Does Colorado require workers' comp from one employee?

Yes. CRS §8-40-302 requires WC for any employer with one or more employees. Sole-prop and officer exclusions are available by election.

How do I verify a Colorado contractor?

For trades use the DORA License Lookup at apps.colorado.gov/dre. For GCs check the project city's licensing portal directly (Denver, Aurora, Boulder, etc.).

What is CCDARA and why does it matter?

Colorado Construction Defect Action Reform Act limits and channels how homeowners can sue contractors for residential defects. Drives long-tail completed-ops scrutiny on residential subs — verify Completed Ops aggregate is robust.

Other states

CACalifornia TXTexas FLFlorida NYNew York GAGeorgia ILIllinois

Reference data current as of 2026-06-04. This page is informational and is not legal advice. Always verify with the linked state authority before relying on a number for procurement, prequalification, or legal use.