Denver, Colorado
Selling or buying a business in Denver? BBS has closed deals across the city since 2006, from neighborhood liquor stores to restaurants and commercial service companies. We handle the valuation, the buyers, the licensing and the closing.
100% confidential. A broker calls you within one business day.
Selling a Business in Denver
Denver is the business center of Colorado, with a mix of aerospace, healthcare, professional services, finance and technology, and thousands of small businesses serving its neighborhoods. Buyers come from across the metro, from out of state and from Denver’s own large pool of professionals ready to own a business.
Denver also has its own rules. The city sets its own minimum wage, its own liquor licensing through Denver Excise and Licenses, and its own permits. We build those into your valuation and your timeline so buyers and lenders see a clean, realistic deal.
BBS at a Glance
Local Economy
The industries, employers and projects shaping demand for businesses in Denver.
Denver’s economy rests on aerospace, healthcare, professional services, finance and technology. Metro Denver ranks first among the 50 largest metros for private aerospace employment.
Denver’s minimum wage is $19.29 in 2026 and is set at $19.84 for 2027. The tipped cash wage for food and beverage workers is $16.27. Buyers build these into every offer.
National Western Center is completing its initial phases, including a 4,500 seat equestrian center and a 160 room hotel. River Mile, near Ball Arena and Elitch Gardens, has an approved master plan for a new riverfront district built in phases over many years.
The River North Art District (RiNo) continues to add apartments and hotels along the A Line, near the National Western campus and Xcel Energy’s regional headquarters.
Sources: City and County of Denver, minimum wage · Mile High CRE, National Western Center · Denverite, River Mile 2026 · Denver Gazette, RiNo 2026 · LHH, Denver 2026 · CBRE, Q4 2025. Facts as of October 2026.
Industries
Sell a liquor store in Denver
Sell a restaurant in Denver
Sell a cleaning company in Denver
Sell a home services business in Denver
Sell a construction company in Denver
Sell a ATM route in Denver
Downtown and LoDo
RiNo
Cherry Creek
Capitol Hill
Highlands
Five Points
Baker and South Broadway
Central Park
Green Valley Ranch
Southeast Denver
Federal Heights (nearby)
Commerce City (nearby)
For Buyers
Want first look at new Denver listings? Build your free buyer profile
Proven Results
sold
A neighborhood liquor store in Denver
sold
A liquor store in East Denver
sold
A liquor store in Federal Heights
sold
A high volume commercial janitorial business with real estate
sold
An Italian restaurant in Denver
sold
A pizza franchise in Denver
The Roadmap
Every sale follows the same proven path. Here are the eight steps we’ll move through together.
It starts with a confidential, no obligation conversation. We learn about your business, your goals and your timeline, and you learn exactly how we work and what to expect.
You complete our Business Valuation Intake (BVI), and our team analyzes your financials to determine what your business is truly worth in today’s market.
Our team builds professional marketing materials and takes your business to market through our buyer network and national listing platforms, all without revealing its identity.
We screen every inquiry so only serious, financially capable buyers ever learn the details of your business. Every buyer signs an NDA first.
We help structure and present written offers, then work through price, financing, training and transition until both sides reach an agreement that works.
The buyer verifies financials, operations and contracts while earnest money is held in a neutral escrow account. We keep requests organized and deadlines on track.
We manage the approvals that let the business change hands: your lease assignment, license transfers such as liquor permits, and the buyer’s new legal entity.
Final documents are signed, funds transfer through escrow and you are paid. A short transition hands off operations, vendors, staff and customers.
Typical timeline: 3 to 9 months from listing to close. Approximately 30% of our listings close within the first 3 months!
FAQ
Most Denver small businesses sell for a multiple of seller’s discretionary earnings (SDE), adjusted for industry, lease terms, growth and how much the business depends on the owner. We give you a free valuation based on real Colorado sales.
The buyer files a transfer of ownership with Denver Excise and Licenses and the Colorado Liquor Enforcement Division. Our team prepares the application and manages the process.
Buyers model Denver’s $19.29 rate for 2026 and $19.84 for 2027 into their numbers. Showing current labor costs and how you manage them builds confidence.
Yes. We meet at your business or at our Littleton office. Calls and video meetings are available too.
Yes. About 85% of BBS deals close with SBA financing.
Get a free, confidential valuation from the Colorado team that has sold more than 1,000 businesses since 2006.
or call 720.361.1000 · Mon to Fri, 8 AM to 6 PM