Colorado: 2026 Business Market Risk & Industry Survival
Rank #46 of 51 state markets. 10 industries tracked. Population: 5,773,714.
Colorado ranks #46 out of 51 state markets by average entry risk (50.1). Retail Trade carries the lowest risk at 42.9 (Elevated), while Finance and Insurance is the most challenging at 67.3 (High). The 24.5-point spread signals significant variation across sectors. Healthcare and Social Assistance is the largest tracked employer with 331,037 jobs.
Colorado: 50.1 Average Entry Risk
Colorado at a Glance
Best Industries for New Entrants in Colorado
Industries with the lowest entry risk in Colorado.
Entry Risk by Industry in Colorado
Compare market entry conditions across industries in Colorado. Rank indicates position vs. all 50 states.
Colorado Industry Data: 201,640 Establishments
| Industry | Entry Risk | Rank | Establishments | Employment | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retail Trade NAICS 44-45 | 42.9 | #23/51 | 18,214 | 274,327 | $44,239 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services NAICS 54 | 46.4 | #46/51 | 55,432 | 291,053 | $135,061 |
| Information NAICS 51 | 46.7 | #31/51 | 6,101 | 73,754 | $154,739 |
| Healthcare and Social Assistance NAICS 62 | 46.7 | #35/51 | 23,680 | 331,037 | $66,522 |
| Accommodation and Food Services NAICS 72 | 46.9 | #41/51 | 15,026 | 288,906 | $33,765 |
| Administrative and Support Services NAICS 56 | 48.8 | #45/51 | 13,680 | 153,426 | $61,508 |
| Other Services NAICS 81 | 50.3 | #38/51 | 19,150 | 91,433 | $56,912 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing NAICS 53 | 52.1 | #44/51 | 14,700 | 57,034 | $80,463 |
| Construction NAICS 23 | 53.2 | #40/51 | 21,702 | 187,210 | $81,389 |
| Finance and Insurance NAICS 52 | 67.3 | #50/51 | 13,955 | 112,002 | $133,539 |
Largest Industries in Colorado by Employment
Metro Markets in Colorado
7 metropolitan areas with industry-level market scores. Each links to its most favorable industry.
How Colorado Compares to Neighboring States
Average entry risk across all tracked industries. Lower scores indicate better conditions for new businesses.
Colorado: Frequently Asked Questions
2026 state-level data answers to common business-formation questions.
What is Colorado's overall business entry risk score for 2026?
Colorado averages 50.1 across 10 tracked industries, ranking #46 of 51 state markets. Lower scores indicate more favorable conditions; the national average sits near 44.
What is the easiest industry to start a business in within Colorado?
Retail Trade carries the lowest entry risk in Colorado at 42.9 (Elevated). It employs 274,327 workers across 18,214 establishments.
Which sector is the most challenging for new businesses in Colorado?
Finance and Insurance posts Colorado's highest entry risk at 67.3 (High). New entrants in this sector face conditions that favor incumbents.
How many businesses operate in Colorado?
201,640 business establishments are tracked across 10 industries in Colorado, employing 1,860,182 workers in 2026 data releases from the U.S. Census BDS and BLS QCEW.
What is Colorado's largest industry by employment?
Healthcare and Social Assistance is the largest tracked employer in Colorado with 331,037 jobs across 23,680 establishments and an entry risk score of 46.7.