CO
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
201,640
Total Establishments
Across tracked industries
1,860,182
Total Employment
Across tracked industries
50.1
Average Entry Risk
Across all industries
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.
Lower is better
Low Mod Elev High
Retail Trade
#23
Information
#31
Other Services
#38
Construction
#40
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
How Colorado Compares to Neighboring States
Average entry risk across all tracked industries. Lower scores indicate better conditions for new businesses.