Collection Agency Licensing

The CFDCPA applies to the following collection agencies or debt collectors:

  • Located within this state;
  • Outside this state and collects or attempts to collect from consumers who reside within this state for a creditor with a place of business located within this state;
  • Outside this state and regularly collects or attempts to collect from consumers who reside within this state for a creditor with a place of business located outside this state; or
  • Outside this state and solicits or attempts to solicit debts for collection from a creditor with a place of business located within this state;
  • Debt/judgment buyers who are now the owners of debts that were in default at the time they acquired ownership of those debts;
  • Creditors that collect their own debts using another name which would indicate that a third person is collecting or attempting to collect such debts.

Attorneys engaged in debt collections do not need a collection agency license but must comply with the substantive provisions of the CFDCPA and are subject to the Administrator’s enforcement authority.

Collection agencies that collect only commercial, business, investment, and agricultural purpose debts are not subject to the CFDCPA and do not need a collection agency license.

Creditors, defined in section 5-16-103(7), C.R.S., who collect their own debts in their own name are not subject to the law and do not need to be licensed.

Application & Forms

Collection Agency License Application

Financial Responsibility Forms

You may refer to this Guidance regarding surety bonds containing an electronic seal and electronic signatures. Please note this is not intended as an official interpretation or opinion letter.

Other Forms