How Much Does It Cost to Start a Barbershop in Colorado?

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Starting a Barbershop in Colorado typically costs between $15,900 and $185,500, with a median estimate of $68,900. Colorado’s cost of living runs 6% above the national average, which increases commercial rent and labor costs. LLC formation in Colorado costs $50 to file. Most barbershop businesses take 2-4 months to launch.

Last updated: March 2026

Barbershop startup costs illustration — typical equipment and setup

How Much Does It Cost to Start a Barbershop in Colorado?

Low

$15,900

Medium

$68,900

High

$185,500

National average: $15,000 – $175,000

Interactive Startup Cost Calculator

Startup Cost Calculator

Barbershop in Colorado

Budget:

Shop Space Lease & Build-Out

$26,500

Barber Chairs & Equipment

$10,600

Barber Tools & Supplies

$3,180

State License & Business Permits

$1,060

Insurance

$1,590

Booking Software

$848

Marketing & Branding

$3,180

Working Capital Reserve

$10,600

Options

Include 3 months working capital

Employees:Just Me1–34–10

One-Time Costs

$57,558

Monthly Costs

First Year Total

$57,558

Full Cost Breakdown

Cost Category	Low	Medium	High	Notes
Shop Space Lease & Build-Out	$5,300	$26,500	$84,800	A 4-chair shop needs 600-1,000 sq ft. Classic barber shop aesthetic (brick, dark wood, vintage chairs) drives repeat visits.
Barber Chairs & Equipment	$3,180	$10,600	$31,800	Takara Belmont and Belvedere barber chairs cost $800-$3,000 each. Vintage chairs from $300-$2,000 resale add character.
Barber Tools & Supplies	$1,060	$3,180	$8,480	Wahl and Andis professional clippers cost $80-$200 each. A complete barber kit runs $500-$1,500.
State License & Business Permits	$212	$1,060	$3,180	Barber licenses require 1,000-1,500 hours of schooling in most states. Establishment license costs $50-$300.
Insurance	$530	$1,590	$4,240	Barber insurance typically costs $500-$1,500/year through ABMP or independent insurers.
Booking Software	$212	$848	$3,180	StyleSeat, Booksy, and Squire are popular barbershop-specific booking platforms at $30-$100/month.
Marketing & Branding	$530	$3,180	$10,600	Instagram transformation content and before/after photos are essential for barbershop marketing.
Working Capital Reserve	$3,180	$10,600	$31,800	Barbershops build loyal clientele quickly — most shops reach break-even within 6-12 months.
Total Startup Cost	$14,204	$57,558	$178,080	Required costs only

Licenses & Permits in Colorado

General Business License

Colorado does not have a statewide general business license requirement. Businesses must register their entity with the Colorado Secretary of State and obtain a sales tax license from the Colorado Department of Revenue if selling taxable goods or services. Many municipalities require a local business license — Denver, Aurora, Colorado Springs, and Boulder all have their own business licensing programs with fees ranging from $25 to $500 annually.

Industry-Specific Licenses

Retail Food Establishment License — Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment or County Health
Cost: $100-$800 • Renewal: Annual
Contractor License — Local jurisdiction (Denver Building and Fire Code Services, etc.)
Cost: $150-$600 • Renewal: Annual
Retail Marijuana Store License — Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division
Cost: $2,500-$15,000 • Renewal: Annual
Cosmetology Salon License — Colorado Office of Barber and Cosmetology Licensure
Cost: $75-$250 • Renewal: Biennial
Real Estate Broker License — Colorado Division of Real Estate
Cost: $200-$500 • Renewal: Every 3 years
Child Care Center License — Colorado Department of Early Childhood
Cost: $100-$500 • Renewal: Annual
Retail Liquor Store License — Colorado Liquor Enforcement Division
Cost: $500-$1,500 • Renewal: Annual
Outfitter and Guide License — Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Cost: $100-$500 • Renewal: Annual

Home-Based Business Rules

Colorado municipalities regulate home-based businesses through local zoning ordinances. Denver allows home occupations with restrictions on customer visits (typically 1 person at a time), no exterior display, and no storage of commercial vehicles. Colorado State law preempts local regulations that would completely prohibit home-based businesses. The Colorado Cottage Food Act specifically authorizes home-based food production with certain limitations.

Resources

Monthly Operating Costs

After launch, plan for these ongoing monthly expenses for your Barbershop:

Low

$3,000/mo

Medium

$8,000/mo

High

$20,000/mo

Revenue Potential

Annual Revenue Range

$60,000 – $450,000 (annual)

Profit Margins

15-30%

Break-Even Timeline

6-18 months

How Colorado Compares to Neighboring States

Colorado is a higher-cost state for starting a Barbershop, with a cost-of-living index of 105.7 (national average is 100). Compared to neighboring Wyoming ($65,000 median startup cost), Colorado has higher costs for a Barbershop.

State	Est. Cost	LLC Fee
Colorado (current)	$68,900	$50
Wyoming	$65,000	$100
Nebraska	$59,150	$105
Kansas	$58,500	$160
Oklahoma	$57,850	$100
New Mexico	$61,750	$50
Utah	$68,900	$54

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1
Opening in a location with poor foot traffic — barbershops live on walk-ins plus loyal repeat clients
2
Not building a booking system early — appointment slots are inventory; wasted slots are revenue lost forever
3
Underpricing cuts — $25-$35 for a quality cut is standard; don't race to the bottom
4
Hiring barbers without confirming their state licensure status
5
Not creating a distinct brand and aesthetic that makes clients want to come back and refer friends

Next Steps to Launch Your Barbershop

1
Obtain your Colorado barber license from the Colorado Board of Barber Examiners before cutting hair
2
Register your Barbershop as an LLC with the Colorado Secretary of State ($50 filing fee)
3
Pass the Colorado health department inspection for your barbershop — includes sanitation practices and blade sterilization
4
Lease your space and outfit barber chairs, mirrors, back bar, wash stations, and waiting area ($5,000–$20,000)
5
Establish wholesale accounts for clippers, trimmers, barbicide, and grooming product suppliers
6
Get professional liability and general liability insurance for barbershop operations ($1,000–$3,000/year)
7
Set up your booking system — Square Appointments, Booksy, or GlossGenius work well for barbershops
8
Hire licensed barbers — verify all staff hold current Colorado barber licenses before their first cut

Frequently Asked Questions

Opening a barbershop costs $15,000 to $175,000. A small 2-chair shop in modest space can open for $15,000-$35,000. A 4-6 chair barbershop with premium aesthetic and equipment typically costs $50,000-$120,000. A high-end flagship barbershop with private suites and full grooming services can reach $175,000.

Barbershop owners earn $40,000-$120,000+ annually. A 4-chair shop with barbers averaging $400/day in cuts grosses $576,000/year. The owner takes 40-50% after paying barber commissions (50-60%), rent, and supplies. Booth rental shops where barbers pay rent have more predictable owner income.

You need a state barbershop establishment license ($50-$300), a business license, and all employed barbers must hold valid state barber licenses. Barber licenses require 1,000-1,500 hours of education at a licensed barber school plus a state licensing exam.

Booth rental ($200-$500/week per chair) provides predictable owner income regardless of individual barber performance. Commission (40-50% to barbers) rewards high performers but leaves owner income variable. Most shops start with commission to control quality, then offer booth rental to top performers who want independence.

A skilled barber sees 10-15 clients per 8-hour day, averaging 30-40 minutes per cut. At $35/cut with 12 clients/day, one barber generates $420/day or $100,000+/year. A 4-barber shop can generate $400,000+/year in gross revenue.

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Start a Barbershop in Other States

See the national overview for Barbershop or browse all businesses you can start in Colorado.