On this guide
Follow the path in order.Etsy channel guide • Colorado launch path
Start Etsy in Colorado
Decide your setup, get the Colorado registration order straight, and finish the early Etsy launch steps without losing the official detail behind the answer.
Last verified April 28, 2026 7 chapters
Best for launching on Etsy in Colorado. Need the full appendix? Open the full reference guide.
On this journey
1 of 7 reviewed
Current chapter: Choose setup
On this journey
1 of 7 reviewed
Current chapter: Choose setup
01
Chapter 1 of 7
Choose the setup you want to launch with
Start with the setup decision first, then use the rest of the guide to build the state registrations and platform steps around it.
Core chapter
What this chapter does
Your setup choice, the short safe path, and the money realities that matter before spending deeply.How to move through it
Review sole proprietor.Use Part 1 to get oriented, then compare both setup paths before you spend more time or money.
3 parts to review • 31 source touchpoints behind the drawers.
Chapter parts
Open Part 1 when you are ready to start working through this chapter.After you start, only one part stays open at a time and the earlier ones stay easy to revisit.
Part 1 of 3
Start here before you spend heavily
A short orientation for the guided journey before the detailed launch steps begin.
Part 1 of 3
Start here before you spend heavily
A short orientation for the guided journey before the detailed launch steps begin.
Short answer
Use this first part only to get oriented. The detailed state, platform, local, and packet steps will follow in order.- First decide whether you are launching as a sole proprietor or a single-member LLC.
- Then work through the Colorado registrations, Etsy setup, local checks, and packet review in order.
Do next: Do not spend money yet.
Why this matters
Key detail
Do not spend money yet.
Keep in mind
- First decide whether you are launching as a sole proprietor or a single-member LLC.
- Then work through the Colorado registrations, Etsy setup, local checks, and packet review in order.
Official links
Up next Compare setup
Part 2 of 3
Compare sole proprietor and LLC
The side-by-side setup comparison.
Part 2 of 3
Compare sole proprietor and LLC
The side-by-side setup comparison.
Short answer
Read both setup paths before you decide which one you want the rest of the launch flow to follow.- Best if you want the cheapest and simplest start.
- Colorado does not require a separate state entity filing if you operate under your own legal first and last name.
- Faster launch.
Do next: Review sole proprietor.
Save the path you want to optimize around
The unchosen setup stays visible for comparison, but the chosen one gets visual priority so the reading path feels more intentional.
Quick tradeoff view
Use one pass to compare the launch speed, separation, and upkeep tradeoffs.The detailed comparison stays below. This lens just makes the two setup shapes easier to scan before you read every bullet.
Best for
Sole proprietor
Best if you want the cheapest and simplest start.
Speed to start Quicker start
Owner and business separation Very little separation
Ongoing admin load Lighter upkeep
Best for
single-member LLC
Best if you want a more durable setup for a real business.
Speed to start More front-loaded paperwork
Owner and business separation Cleaner separation
Ongoing admin load More upkeep
Compare details
Sole proprietor
Best for
Best for
Best if you want the cheapest and simplest start.
What it means
- Colorado does not require a separate state entity filing if you operate under your own legal first and last name.
- If you use a business name that is not your legal first and last name, Colorado requires a Trade Name Statement filing with the Secretary of State.
- Business income generally runs through your personal tax return unless you later change tax treatment.
- You do not get a liability shield.
Why someone chooses it
- Faster launch.
- Lower up-front cost.
- Fewer formal maintenance steps.
Main downside
Personal liability
single-member LLC
Best for
Best for
Best if you want a more durable setup for a real business.
What it means
- Colorado LLC formation uses Articles of Organization.
- The reviewed public filing instructions show a $50 formation fee.
- The filing requires a principal office, a Colorado registered agent, and registered-agent consent.
- Colorado LLCs are reporting entities and file an annual Periodic Report.
- Default single-member LLC tax treatment usually stays pass-through unless you later elect otherwise.
Why someone chooses it
- Liability protection.
- Cleaner setup for banking, vendors, bookkeeping, and scaling.
- Better fit for branded products, employees, and long-term operations.
Main downside
Higher setup friction and recurring maintenance than a sole proprietorship
Official links
Formation sos.state.co.us
Compare business types
Federal sos.state.co.us
Sole proprietor baseline
Federal sos.state.co.us
Trade name filing page
Federal irs.gov
EIN overview and online application
Formation sos.state.co.us
Formation hub
Formation sos.state.co.us
Default entity formation filing
Formation sos.state.co.us
Immediate post-filing requirement
Formation sos.state.co.us
Ongoing entity maintenance
Tax tax.colorado.gov
Entity tax treatment
Tax sos.state.co.us
Recurring entity tax filing or fee
Up next Money and risk
Part 3 of 3
See the money and risk realities before you spend
The upfront friction and risk notes that shape the launch decision.
Part 3 of 3
See the money and risk realities before you spend
The upfront friction and risk notes that shape the launch decision.
Short answer
These are the friction points most likely to catch a new Etsy operator off guard in Colorado.- Colorado's state sales-tax answer and local home-rule answer are not the same thing.
- Etsy's creativity standards are narrower than a broad "sell anything online" marketplace.
- If you sell physical products, commercial general liability and product liability are practical early decisions even though no public Etsy-wide seller insurance threshold was identified in the reviewed source set as of April 28, 2026.
Do next: Review colorado-specific friction.
Why this matters
Colorado-specific friction
Main takeaway
Colorado's state sales-tax answer and local home-rule answer are not the same thing.
Watch for
- The Etsy-only marketplace branch and the direct-sales branch produce different Colorado state-license outcomes.
- Colorado trade names renew on a recurring cycle instead of being a one-time filing.
- Colorado LLCs have a relatively cheap recurring filing, but missing the Periodic Report can move the entity into noncompliant and then delinquent status.
- Denver adds real home-occupation, city tax, and use-tax review if you operate from home or hold local inventory there.
Etsy-specific friction
Main takeaway
Etsy's creativity standards are narrower than a broad "sell anything online" marketplace.
Watch for
- Identity, bank, and tax mismatches can stall onboarding or suspend payout flow.
- The setup fee is location-variable, so you cannot model it from one universal public U.S. number.
- Listing fees, transaction fees, payment-processing fees, and Offsite Ads can stack quickly if you price loosely.
- Account reserves and seller-info confirmation are real operational friction even after the shop is open.
Insurance reality
Main takeaway
If you sell physical products, commercial general liability and product liability are practical early decisions even though no public Etsy-wide seller insurance threshold was identified in the reviewed source set as of April 28, 2026.
Watch for
- Etsy's public Purchase Protection help says qualifying orders up to $250 may be covered, but the program is not insurance.
- Etsy's public Purchase Protection help page itself announces updates beginning May 7, 2026, so re-check both the live help page and Etsy's legal policy page if the launch or first sale happens on or after that date.
- Etsy's public shipping-label help says some label services include coverage and additional shipping insurance may be available, so shipping-label protection should be treated as shipment-specific, not as business-wide coverage.
Official links
Formation sos.state.co.us
Compare business types
Formation sos.state.co.us
Formation hub
Formation sos.state.co.us
Default entity formation filing
Formation sos.state.co.us
Immediate post-filing requirement
Formation sos.state.co.us
Ongoing entity maintenance
Federal irs.gov
EIN overview and online application
Federal irs.gov
EIN paper form
Local tax.colorado.gov
State tax registration
Tax tax.colorado.gov
Registration instructions
Platform tax.colorado.gov
Marketplace or platform tax rule
Tax tax.colorado.gov
Retail delivery fee on marketplace sales
Tax tax.colorado.gov
Resale or exemption certificate
Tax tax.colorado.gov
Recordkeeping and filing guidance
Platform help.etsy.com
Shipping-label insurance option
Platform official source
Platform insurance requirement
Local denvergov.org
City tax or permit warning
Local denvergov.org
City filing information
Local denvergov.org
City business-tax information hub
02
Chapter 2 of 7
Handle the Colorado registration path in order
This is the state-side work before you rely on the platform to carry any part of the operating flow.
Core chapter
What this chapter does
The Colorado and federal registration sequence, tax setup, and state-maintenance checks.How to move through it
Step 2: Choose your name and brand approach.Use the order check first, then move from name and entity work into EIN, banking, and tax setup.
4 parts to review • 41 source touchpoints behind the drawers.
Registration sequence
Keep the Colorado and federal setup in this order.This chapter works best when you keep the filings, EIN, banking, and tax work in one clean sequence instead of bouncing between tabs.
- 1 Use the checklist to keep the order straight
These checklist groups keep the pre-spend, pre-sale, and pre-launch work visible before you open the platform workflow.
- 2 Handle name, entity, and filing setup
Use the name-and-formation steps plus the state LLC order before you open banking or state tax registration.
- 3 Get the EIN and banking basics in place
Use the EIN and banking steps before you start platform onboarding, payouts, or supplier paperwork.
- 4 Close the Colorado tax and filing branch
Keep the Colorado tax and maintenance rules together before you assume the platform solved them.
Chapter parts
Open Part 1 when you are ready to start working through this chapter.After you start, only one part stays open at a time and the earlier ones stay easy to revisit.
Part 1 of 4
Use the checklist to keep the order straight
The quick-start checklist grouped by the main launch phases.
Part 1 of 4
Use the checklist to keep the order straight
The quick-start checklist grouped by the main launch phases.
Short answer
These checklist groups keep the pre-spend, pre-sale, and pre-launch work visible before you open the platform workflow.- Pick your business name.
- Form the business or file the Colorado trade-name branch if needed.
- Get an EIN from the IRS if applicable.
Do next: Pick your entity.
See checklist
Do these before you spend money
Grouped so the launch order stays easier to scan.
- Pick your entity.
- Pick your business name.
- Decide your Etsy product lane inside handmade, vintage, or qualifying craft and party supplies.
- Avoid beginner-hostile categories like food, supplements, cosmetics, medical-claim products, batteries-heavy hazmat, alcohol, and children's products unless you are doing separate category research.
- Confirm the offer is not blocked by Colorado law, Etsy policy, or Etsy's allowed-item rules.
- Make sure you can document design ownership, vintage status, supplier legitimacy, or production-partner use where relevant.
Do these before your first sale
Grouped so the launch order stays easier to scan.
- Form the business or file the Colorado trade-name branch if needed.
- Get an EIN from the IRS if applicable.
- Open a dedicated business bank account.
- Resolve the Colorado state sales-tax answer that applies to your exact Etsy-only or multichannel model.
- Check city, county, and home-business rules, especially if you will operate in a self-collected home-rule city.
- Create your Etsy seller account and complete identity and bank verification.
Do these before launch goes live
Grouped so the launch order stays easier to scan.
- Complete the Etsy storefront, listing, payment, and shipping branch.
- Confirm the item fits Etsy's allowed-item rules and your Colorado / local launch model.
- Set up processing time, shipping profiles, and return-policy workflow correctly.
- Build the first listings carefully and open the shop with one or two low-risk items first.
Official links
Up next Name + filing
Part 2 of 4
Handle name, entity, and filing setup
The name, formation, and LLC-order work for the state launch path.
Part 2 of 4
Handle name, entity, and filing setup
The name, formation, and LLC-order work for the state launch path.
Short answer
Use the name-and-formation steps plus the state LLC order before you open banking or state tax registration.- Step 3: Form the business.
- If you sell under your legal name:.
- The trade name expires on the first day following the anniversary month of the original filing unless a Trade Name Renewal is filed.
Do next: Step 2: Choose your name and brand approach.
Step details
Best practical order for a Colorado single-member LLC launch
- Choose the Etsy product lane first.
- Choose the entity name.
- File the Colorado LLC formation document.
- Get the EIN.
- Open the bank account.
- Resolve the Colorado sales-tax branch that applies.
- Resolve the city or home-rule local branch that applies.
- File any Colorado trade name that is still needed.
- Build the Etsy seller account.
- Finish the first listing, storefront, and shipping setup.
- Calendar the annual Periodic Report and any local renewals.
- Track recurring tax, payroll, and insurance obligations on the compliance calendar.
Sole proprietor: Decide whether you need a state name filing
Main takeaway
If you sell under your legal name:
Watch for
- The trade name expires on the first day following the anniversary month of the original filing unless a Trade Name Renewal is filed.
- File a Colorado Trade Name Statement with the Secretary of State.
Single-member LLC: Name search and naming standards
Main takeaway
Before filing:
Watch for
- optionally reserve the name before formation if needed, but reservation is not required for the default path.
Single-member LLC: File the formation document
Main takeaway
Core filing:
Watch for
- Form name: Articles of Organization.
- Form number: No separate form number was identified in the reviewed public Colorado sources.
Single-member LLC: Complete the immediate post-filing step
Main takeaway
No separate ordinary Colorado SOS post-formation filing was identified in the reviewed public sources for a standard LLC.
Watch for
- Timing: immediately after the LLC is approved.
- Practical internal step: keep an operating agreement, ownership record, and internal launch records even though they were not identified as a separate mandatory public filing.
Single-member LLC: File the assumed-name or public-name form if needed
Main takeaway
If the LLC will operate under a name different from its legal LLC name, file a Colorado trade name with the Secretary of State.
Step 2: Choose your name and brand approach
Main guide step 2
What this step settles
You need to decide whether you are:
Why it matters: Important:
- operating under your own legal name,
- using a Colorado trade name,
- selling your own handmade items,
- selling your own original designs,
- selling qualifying vintage,
- or selling qualifying craft or party supplies.
- Etsy shop names do not replace the legal entity name or tax records behind the business.
- Etsy account, bank, identity, and tax details still need to match real-world records.
- If you plan to use a production partner, Etsy expects that to be disclosed in the applicable listings.
- Colorado trade-name filings do not create trademark rights.
Step 3: Form the business
Main guide step 3
What this step settles
If you choose sole proprietor: If you operate under your own legal first and last name, the reviewed Colorado public sources did not identify a separate Secretary of State entity-formation filing.
- If you choose sole proprietor: If you operate under your own legal first and last name, the reviewed Colorado public sources did not identify a separate Secretary of State entity-formation filing.
- If you choose sole proprietor: If you use another public-facing name, file a Colorado trade name with the Secretary of State before using it in banking, tax registration, or Etsy setup.
- If you choose sole proprietor: The reviewed public filing pages show a $20 filing fee and a $5 renewal fee for the trade-name branch.
- If you choose sole proprietor: The reviewed Colorado trade-name FAQ says the trade name expires on the first day after the anniversary month of the original filing unless it is renewed.
- If you choose single-member LLC: Do this in order:
- If you choose single-member LLC: Check Colorado name availability and make sure the legal name is distinguishable and uses an accepted LLC ending.
- If you choose single-member LLC: File Articles of Organization with the Colorado Secretary of State and name the Colorado registered agent.
- If you choose single-member LLC: Keep your internal operating records right away. The reviewed public Colorado sources did not identify a separate ordinary post-formation public filing beyond the formation filing itself.
- If you choose single-member LLC: If the LLC will use a different public-facing name, file the Colorado trade-name branch separately.
- If you choose single-member LLC: Calendar the annual Periodic Report cycle immediately after formation.
Official links
Formation sos.state.co.us
Compare business types
Formation sos.state.co.us
Formation hub
Formation sos.state.co.us
Default entity formation filing
Formation sos.state.co.us
Immediate post-filing requirement
Formation sos.state.co.us
Ongoing entity maintenance
Federal sos.state.co.us
Sole proprietor baseline
Federal sos.state.co.us
Trade name filing page
Local tax.colorado.gov
Local licensing and home-rule city check
Federal irs.gov
EIN overview and online application
Tax tax.colorado.gov
Entity tax treatment
Tax sos.state.co.us
Recurring entity tax filing or fee
Official colorado.gov
State start-here page
Official co.colorado.gov
State business portal
Tax sos.state.co.us
State small business support hub
Up next EIN + banking
Part 3 of 4
Get the EIN and banking basics in place
The EIN, banking, and recordkeeping baseline before launch.
Part 3 of 4
Get the EIN and banking basics in place
The EIN, banking, and recordkeeping baseline before launch.
Short answer
Use the EIN and banking steps before you start platform onboarding, payouts, or supplier paperwork.- Step 5: Open banking and bookkeeping.
Do next: Step 4: Get your EIN.
Step details
Step 4: Get your EIN
Main guide step 4
What this step settles
Use the IRS online EIN application if applicable. For most LLCs this is required. For many sole proprietors it is optional, but it is still useful for banking, supplier paperwork, and Etsy setup.
Step 5: Open banking and bookkeeping
Main guide step 5
What this step settles
Do this right away:
- Open a business checking account.
- Keep business money separate from personal money.
- Save every invoice, receipt, Etsy fee statement, shipping bill, and tax record.
- Keep a sourcing folder, listing-support folder, and tax folder from day one.
Official links
Federal irs.gov
EIN overview and online application
Federal irs.gov
EIN paper form
Local tax.colorado.gov
State tax registration
Tax tax.colorado.gov
Registration instructions
Platform tax.colorado.gov
Marketplace or platform tax rule
Tax tax.colorado.gov
Retail delivery fee on marketplace sales
Tax tax.colorado.gov
Resale or exemption certificate
Tax tax.colorado.gov
Recordkeeping and filing guidance
Up next Tax + maintenance
Part 4 of 4
Close the Colorado tax and filing branch
The Colorado tax stack, registration timing, and maintenance follow-up.
Part 4 of 4
Close the Colorado tax and filing branch
The Colorado tax stack, registration timing, and maintenance follow-up.
Short answer
Keep the Colorado tax and maintenance rules together before you assume the platform solved them.- A typical single-member LLC needs an EIN.
- Colorado uses MyBizColorado or CR 0100 for the ordinary sales-tax license path.
- Colorado says a marketplace facilitator must collect and remit all applicable state and state-administered local sales taxes on marketplace sales.
Do next: Step 6: Register for state tax, seller permit, or resale setup.
Step details
1. EIN
Main takeaway
A typical single-member LLC needs an EIN.
Watch for
- A sole proprietor commonly needs one once employees are hired and may still want one for operations even when not strictly required.
2. Colorado sales tax, seller permit, or equivalent registration
Main takeaway
Colorado uses MyBizColorado or CR 0100 for the ordinary sales-tax license path.
Watch for
- As of April 28, 2026, a one-location standard retail license starting during January 2026 through June 2026 costs $16.
- The first retail location also requires a $50 deposit.
- Colorado says these licenses are valid for a two-year period and expire at the end of each odd-numbered year.
- Colorado says the license covers state and state-collected local jurisdictions, not separate self-collected home-rule city licensing.
3. Marketplace or platform tax rule
Main takeaway
Colorado says a marketplace facilitator must collect and remit all applicable state and state-administered local sales taxes on marketplace sales.
Watch for
- Colorado says a marketplace facilitator has the rights, obligations, and liabilities of a retailer for those marketplace sales.
- Colorado says a seller that sells exclusively through a marketplace facilitator generally does not need a Colorado state sales-tax license from the Department of Revenue.
- Colorado also says that if the seller additionally sells directly to consumers through the seller's own website or another direct channel, the seller is required to have a state sales-tax license.
- Colorado says if a retail sale is made through a marketplace and the facilitator is required to collect sales tax, the facilitator is also liable for the retail delivery fee if the item is delivered by motor vehicle, and the marketplace seller who is not liable for sales tax is also not liable for the retail delivery fee.
4. Resale purchases or exempt purchasing
Main takeaway
Colorado's standard retail license allows both retail and wholesale sales, so a seller that makes both does not need a separate wholesale license in addition to the retail license.
Watch for
- The reviewed public beginner pages did not present one single plain-language ordinary-retailer resale-document workflow for vendor paperwork.
- Practical safe rule: re-check the current Sales Tax Guide, sales and use tax forms page, and any vendor instructions before submitting resale paperwork instead of assuming one static certificate workflow from another state applies in Colorado.
5. Entity tax treatment
Main takeaway
Inference note:
Watch for
- Colorado's public business income tax pages route C corporations, S corporations, and partnerships through different filing paths.
- Based on those reviewed public pages, Colorado's business-income-tax filing path generally tracks the entity's federal tax classification.
- If the founder later elects S corporation or C corporation treatment, re-check the Colorado business-income-tax filing path before the next return cycle.
- The one-line statement that Colorado generally follows federal classification is an inference from the reviewed Colorado business-income-tax guidance pages, not a single quoted sentence from one beginner page.
6. Entity filing-fee or franchise-tax rule
Main takeaway
The recurring Colorado entity-maintenance filing identified in the reviewed public sources for the default LLC path is the Secretary of State Periodic Report.
Watch for
- No separate Colorado franchise tax filing was identified in the reviewed official public sources for the ordinary in-state single-member LLC path as of April 28, 2026.
- Re-check this branch if the entity later elects corporate tax treatment or expands into a more complex tax posture.
7. If the founder changes entity type later
Main takeaway
Re-check Colorado tax accounts, trade names, bank documents, and Etsy tax identity fields at the conversion moment.
Watch for
- The reviewed public starter pages did not provide one one-line rule for whether every ownership or entity-type change requires a brand-new Colorado sales-tax account, so treat this as a required verification step instead of assuming.
Sole proprietor: Register for Colorado tax, seller permit, or reseller setup
Main takeaway
Use MyBizColorado or CR 0100 if you need a Colorado sales-tax license for direct taxable retail sales.
Watch for
- Colorado says a seller that sells exclusively through a marketplace facilitator generally does not need a state sales-tax license from the Department of Revenue.
- If you also sell directly to consumers through your own website, social-media invoices, local pickup, in-person events, or another direct channel, Colorado says you are required to have a sales-tax license.
Sole proprietor: Understand the tax reality
Main takeaway
Sole-proprietor business income generally flows through to the owner's own tax return.
Watch for
- If you are required to file a federal return or have Colorado tax liability, Colorado's individual filing rules can still apply.
- If inventory was acquired tax free for resale and later used by the business instead of sold, Colorado consumer use tax can become relevant.
Single-member LLC: File ongoing entity maintenance
Main takeaway
Key points:
Watch for
- Colorado says the Periodic Report can be filed two months prior to the Periodic Report month or two months after without penalty.
- If the Periodic Report month is January, Colorado says the report due date is March 31.
Step 6: Register for state tax, seller permit, or resale setup
Main guide step 6
What this step settles
Safe practical takeaway:
- Colorado uses MyBizColorado or CR 0100 for the ordinary sales-tax license path.
- As of April 28, 2026, a one-location standard retail sales-tax license that starts during January 2026 through June 2026 costs $16, and the first retail location also requires a $50 deposit.
- Colorado says that license covers state and state-administered local jurisdictions only. It does not replace separate self-collected home-rule city licensing.
- Colorado says a seller that sells exclusively through a marketplace facilitator generally does not need a Colorado state sales-tax license from the Department of Revenue.
- Colorado also says that if you sell directly to consumers through your own website, local pickup, invoices, in-person events, or another direct channel in addition to Etsy, you are required to have a Colorado state sales-tax license.
- Colorado's reviewed public guidance says the standard retail license also covers wholesale sales for a business that makes both retail and wholesale sales.
- If you plan to stay Etsy-only, keep the marketplace-only state-license nuance visible and document that branch carefully.
- If you expect to add your own website, direct invoices, local events, or another non-marketplace sales channel, get the Colorado sales-tax branch right before launch instead of assuming Etsy's marketplace collection replaces it.
- If a supplier asks for resale paperwork, re-check Colorado's current Sales Tax Guide, forms, and vendor instructions on the action date because the reviewed public beginner pages did not present the ordinary retailer resale-document workflow in one single plain-language step.
Official links
Federal irs.gov
EIN overview and online application
Federal irs.gov
EIN paper form
Local tax.colorado.gov
State tax registration
Tax tax.colorado.gov
Registration instructions
Platform tax.colorado.gov
Marketplace or platform tax rule
Tax tax.colorado.gov
Retail delivery fee on marketplace sales
Tax tax.colorado.gov
Resale or exemption certificate
Tax tax.colorado.gov
Recordkeeping and filing guidance
Tax tax.colorado.gov
Entity tax treatment
Tax sos.state.co.us
Recurring entity tax filing or fee
Federal fincen.gov
BOI or other federal reporting status
Official colorado.gov
State start-here page
Official co.colorado.gov
State business portal
Tax sos.state.co.us
State small business support hub
03
Chapter 3 of 7
Finish the Etsy account and operations branch
Use these steps for the platform-side account, plan, operations, and eligibility work after the state basics line up.
Core chapter
What this chapter does
Etsy account setup, operations, and pre-launch readiness.How to move through it
Step 10: Choose the right platform plan.Open the Etsy branch only after the Colorado basics line up, then finish plan and operations choices.
3 parts to review • 54 source touchpoints behind the drawers.
Chapter parts
Open Part 1 when you are ready to start working through this chapter.After you start, only one part stays open at a time and the earlier ones stay easy to revisit.
Part 1 of 3
Open the Etsy account
The first account and verification work for the platform path.
Part 1 of 3
Open the Etsy account
The first account and verification work for the platform path.
Short answer
Start the platform onboarding only after the legal name, EIN, and payout details line up cleanly.Do next: Step 9: Create your Etsy shop and enroll in Etsy Payments.
Step details
Step 9: Create your Etsy shop and enroll in Etsy Payments
Platform step 1
What this step settles
Have these ready:
Why it matters: Platform registration flow: Important Etsy nuance:
- government-issued ID
- phone number
- email address
- bank account information
- debit or credit card for Etsy billing
- tax information
- business registration details if you formed an entity
- proof of address or identity if Etsy asks
- Etsy says it does not require you to hold a business license just to sell on Etsy.
- Etsy also says you still must follow the laws that apply to you as a small business selling online.
- That means Colorado, local, and Denver compliance do not disappear just because Etsy onboarding lets you proceed.
- Etsy's public bank-verification page says new U.S. sellers must finish bank verification before opening the shop, and existing sellers can be suspended if a changed bank account is not verified in time.
- Etsy's public seller-info confirmation page says missed legal-deadline-driven confirmation requests can block payouts and place the shop into Etsy-initiated vacation mode until the required information is confirmed.
- Start at Etsy's public shop-opening guide and open the shop from Etsy.com/sell.
- Set up the shop in a desktop browser, choose the shop language, country, currency, and a compliant shop name.
- Turn on required two-factor authentication.
- Connect your bank account, add your billing card, and enroll in Etsy Payments.
- Complete identity verification through Etsy's current process. Etsy's public help pages point to Persona for identity checks and Plaid or manual verification for U.S. bank verification.
- Add at least one compliant listing, set processing and shipping details, then open the shop only after the listing and payment setup are accurate.
Official links
Platform help.etsy.com
Platform registration guide
Platform help.etsy.com
Etsy Payments enrollment
Platform help.etsy.com
Choose individual or business onboarding path
Platform help.etsy.com
Identity verification
Platform help.etsy.com
Bank verification
Platform help.etsy.com
Seller-info confirmation overlay
Platform help.etsy.com
Platform pricing and fees
Platform help.etsy.com
Payment-processing fee detail
Platform help.etsy.com
Optional subscription
Platform etsy.com
Brand or IP program
Up next Plan + pricing
Part 2 of 3
Review the plan, pricing, and optional programs
Plan, pricing, and optional program decisions before launch.
Part 2 of 3
Review the plan, pricing, and optional programs
Plan, pricing, and optional program decisions before launch.
Short answer
Use this part for the platform plan, pricing, or optional brand and program choices that come before operations.- Step 11: Decide whether you need branding and production-partner setup on day one.
Do next: Step 10: Choose the right platform plan.
Step details
Step 10: Choose the right platform plan
Platform step 2
What this step settles
Pricing caveat:
Why it matters: Practical rule: Price the first listings only after you account for the setup-fee possibility, listing fees, transaction fees, payment-processing fees, shipping, packaging, returns risk, and any advertising charges you choose to use.
- Etsy does not use a mandatory monthly seller-plan choice for a standard U.S. shop.
- As of April 28, 2026, Etsy's public fee pages say a one-time non-refundable setup fee may apply when you open the shop and that the amount varies by location.
- The listing fee is $0.20 per listing, listings renew every 4 months, and the transaction fee is 6.5% of the displayed price plus shipping and gift wrapping.
- Etsy's public payment-processing page says sellers with a United States bank account pay 3% + $0.25 per order through Etsy Payments.
- Offsite Ads are automatically enabled. Etsy's public fee help currently says shops below the public $10,000 USD prior-365-day revenue threshold pay 15% on attributed orders, while shops at the higher tier pay 12%, capped at $100 per order.
- Etsy Plus is optional and priced at $10 per month as of April 28, 2026.
- Re-check the live Offsite Ads wording on the exact launch date if the shop is near the public revenue threshold because Etsy's public help has used slightly different at least $10,000 USD and more than $10,000 USD phrasing around when participation becomes mandatory and the lower fee applies.
Step 11: Decide whether you need branding and production-partner setup on day one
Platform step 3
What this step settles
For a first launch, keep the brand story simple and compliant instead of overbuilding trademark work before demand is proven.
- Etsy does not have a separate mandatory brand-enrollment program you need to join before a normal first launch.
- What matters first is whether the item fits Etsy's allowed categories, whether you own the rights to the design or branding you are using, and whether any production partner needs to be disclosed.
- If you use print-on-demand or another production partner, Etsy Help says the partner must be producing your original design and must be disclosed on the applicable listings.
- If you are making the item yourself, keep your own photos, process notes, and supplier records so you can support the listing if questions come up.
- Etsy's practical IP backstop is its reporting portal and seller-policy enforcement, not a separate seller-side brand registry.
Official links
Platform help.etsy.com
Platform registration guide
Platform help.etsy.com
Etsy Payments enrollment
Platform help.etsy.com
Choose individual or business onboarding path
Platform help.etsy.com
Identity verification
Platform help.etsy.com
Bank verification
Platform help.etsy.com
Seller-info confirmation overlay
Platform help.etsy.com
Platform pricing and fees
Platform help.etsy.com
Payment-processing fee detail
Platform help.etsy.com
Optional subscription
Platform etsy.com
Brand or IP program
Platform help.etsy.com
Listing creation
Platform help.etsy.com
Storefront setup
Platform help.etsy.com
Return-policy setup
Platform help.etsy.com
Category, compliance, or product restriction guide
Platform help.etsy.com
Drop shipping, reselling, and production-partner boundary
Platform help.etsy.com
Shipping operations
Platform help.etsy.com
Shipping labels
Platform help.etsy.com
Payment-account reserve
Platform help.etsy.com
Purchase Protection
Platform etsy.com
Purchase Protection legal policy
Platform help.etsy.com
Shipping-label insurance option
Platform official source
Platform insurance requirement
Up next Ops + eligibility
Part 3 of 3
Finish operations and eligibility before scaling
Operations and eligibility checks before the business scales.
Part 3 of 3
Finish operations and eligibility before scaling
Operations and eligibility checks before the business scales.
Short answer
Close the operating branch only after the listing, trip, hosting, or operational eligibility checks are ready.- Step 13: Confirm item eligibility before scaling.
Do next: Step 12: Complete the listing, shipping, and storefront branch.
Step details
Step 12: Complete the listing, shipping, and storefront branch
Platform step 4
What this step settles
Use the Etsy-specific version of this section:
Why it matters: For a beginner launch, seller-managed shipping is the baseline. Do not assume Etsy is handling warehousing or fulfillment for you.
- create the first listing in Shop Manager,
- choose the right category and item type,
- upload your own product photos and any video you need,
- set processing time, shipping profile, return policy, and origin details accurately,
- disclose any production partner that qualifies,
- set up your storefront basics,
- decide whether you will buy Etsy shipping labels or use a separate carrier workflow,
- and open the shop only after the first listing is accurate enough that you could ship the first order yourself.
Step 13: Confirm item eligibility before scaling
Platform step 5
What this step settles
Etsy allows items that are made by a seller, designed by a seller, handpicked by a seller, or sourced by a seller within Etsy's current policy boundaries.
- Etsy allows items that are made by a seller, designed by a seller, handpicked by a seller, or sourced by a seller within Etsy's current policy boundaries.
- Mass-produced resale is not generally allowed in Etsy's handmade category.
- Etsy Help says drop shipping is not allowed except in narrow craft-supply cases, and production partners are allowed only for the seller's original designs or a buyer's customization.
- Vintage items must be at least 20 years old, and craft supplies have their own rule set.
- Highly regulated, unsafe, infringing, or prohibited items can still be blocked even if Colorado would otherwise allow the business to operate.
Official links
Platform help.etsy.com
Platform registration guide
Platform help.etsy.com
Etsy Payments enrollment
Platform help.etsy.com
Choose individual or business onboarding path
Platform help.etsy.com
Identity verification
Platform help.etsy.com
Bank verification
Platform help.etsy.com
Seller-info confirmation overlay
Platform help.etsy.com
Platform pricing and fees
Platform help.etsy.com
Payment-processing fee detail
Platform help.etsy.com
Optional subscription
Platform etsy.com
Brand or IP program
Platform help.etsy.com
Listing creation
Platform help.etsy.com
Storefront setup
Platform help.etsy.com
Return-policy setup
Platform help.etsy.com
Category, compliance, or product restriction guide
Platform help.etsy.com
Drop shipping, reselling, and production-partner boundary
Platform help.etsy.com
Shipping operations
Platform help.etsy.com
Shipping labels
Platform help.etsy.com
Payment-account reserve
Platform help.etsy.com
Purchase Protection
Platform etsy.com
Purchase Protection legal policy
Platform help.etsy.com
Shipping-label insurance option
Platform official source
Platform insurance requirement
04
Chapter 4 of 7
Handle the local and city-specific branches
These local facts can still change the answer even after the state and platform path looks clear.
Optional branch
What this chapter does
Local permits, local taxes, city appendices, and location-specific operating rules.How to move through it
Review denver appendix.Only turn this chapter on if your location, city, or operating model changes the answer.
2 parts to review • 9 source touchpoints behind the drawers.
Only turn this branch on if it matches your plan
These branch questions keep the main reading path clean. If one matches your situation, the relevant detail blocks below get emphasized.
Matching branch content is now highlighted below.
Chapter parts
Open Part 1 when you are ready to start working through this chapter.After you start, only one part stays open at a time and the earlier ones stay easy to revisit.
Part 1 of 2
Local permits and location checks
Colorado pushes many real-world licensing, tax, and location questions down to cities and self-collected local tax offices.
Part 1 of 2
Local permits and location checks
Colorado pushes many real-world licensing, tax, and location questions down to cities and self-collected local tax offices.
Short answer
Colorado pushes many real-world licensing, tax, and location questions down to cities and self-collected local tax offices.Do next: Review local permits and location checks.
Why this matters
Local permits and location checks
Main takeaway
Colorado pushes many real-world licensing, tax, and location questions down to cities and self-collected local tax offices.
Watch for
- For any place where the business will operate:.
- check MyBizColorado,.
- check city or county business offices,.
- check local zoning or planning offices,.
- check whether the city is self-collected for sales tax,.
- and check whether a local home-business or local tax registration applies.
- Typical local risk areas:.
- self-collected home-rule sales-tax licensing.
- home occupation permits.
- zoning for storage.
- commercial deliveries at a residence.
- building or fire-code triggers.
- lease, HOA, or deed restrictions.
Official links
Up next Denver appendix
Part 2 of 2
Denver Appendix
If the business operates in Denver, add one more review layer.
Part 2 of 2
Denver Appendix
If the business operates in Denver, add one more review layer.
Short answer
If the business operates in Denver, add one more review layer.Do next: Review denver appendix.
Why this matters
Denver Appendix
Main takeaway
If the business operates in Denver, add one more review layer.
Watch for
- Denver says that if you intend to do business from home and use your home address as a business address, you must obtain a zoning permit for a home occupation.
- Denver says that any business located in Denver, even one operating from a residence, that makes retail sales of tangible personal property or certain services needs a Denver sales-tax license.
- Denver says it no longer charges a license fee with the biannual Retailer's Sales, Use, Lodgers Tax License.
- Denver also says businesses located in Denver can still have Denver use-tax registration obligations even where a Denver sales-tax license is not the right fit.
05
Chapter 5 of 7
Use the hiring and insurance branch only if it matches your plan
This branch matters when you expect to hire, scale, or need the insurance follow-up tied to the business model.
Optional branch
What this chapter does
Hiring, payroll, insurance, and scale-up risk reminders.How to move through it
Review insurance reality.Only turn this branch on when hiring, payroll, or coverage questions are close enough to matter.
2 parts to review • 10 source touchpoints behind the drawers.
Only turn this branch on if it matches your plan
These branch questions keep the main reading path clean. If one matches your situation, the relevant detail blocks below get emphasized.
Matching branch content is now highlighted below.
Chapter parts
Open Part 1 when you are ready to start working through this chapter.After you start, only one part stays open at a time and the earlier ones stay easy to revisit.
Part 1 of 2
If you hire, close the employment branch first
The employee registration, payroll, and employment-program branch.
Part 1 of 2
If you hire, close the employment branch first
The employee registration, payroll, and employment-program branch.
Short answer
Use these cards if the business will hire employees or carry payroll responsibilities soon.- Colorado says most employers are required to pay UI premiums if either of the ordinary liability thresholds is met:.
- Colorado says workers' compensation insurance is required for all employers operating in Colorado, with limited exceptions.
- Colorado FAMLI applies to most private-sector employers with Colorado employees.
Do next: Review 1. employer registration.
Why this matters
1. Employer registration
Main takeaway
Colorado says most employers are required to pay UI premiums if either of the ordinary liability thresholds is met:
Watch for
- at least $1,500 in wages in a calendar quarter during the current or previous calendar year, or.
- at least one person employed for any part of a day in 20 weeks during the current or previous calendar year.
- Colorado says businesses can register for an unemployment account online through MyBizColorado.
- Colorado says quarterly wage detail reports, monthly employment data, and premium payments are due by April 30, July 31, October 31, and January 31.
- Colorado new-hire reporting is due within 20 calendar days after the date of hire or by the first regularly scheduled payroll if that payroll date is later.
- Colorado's ordinary UI liability thresholds include paying at least $1,500 in wages in a calendar quarter or employing at least one person for any part of a day in 20 weeks during the current or previous calendar year;.
2. Workers' compensation
Main takeaway
Colorado says workers' compensation insurance is required for all employers operating in Colorado, with limited exceptions.
Watch for
- Colorado says an uninsured employer can be fined up to $500 for every day without required coverage.
- Colorado also says the business may be shut down and may have to pay the claim itself plus an additional penalty if an employee is hurt while uninsured.
- Colorado workers' compensation coverage is required for employers with employees, subject to limited exceptions;.
3. Disability, paid leave, or similar coverage
Main takeaway
Colorado FAMLI applies to most private-sector employers with Colorado employees.
Watch for
- As of April 28, 2026, the reviewed Colorado FAMLI employer FAQ says premiums are based on 0.88% of wages.
- Employers with fewer than 10 employees nationwide are not required to pay the employer share under the reviewed FAQ.
- Colorado's paid-sick-leave law separately requires at least 1 hour of accrued paid leave per 30 hours worked, up to 48 hours per year.
- and Colorado's paid-sick-leave law requires at least 1 hour of accrued paid leave for every 30 hours worked, up to 48 hours per year.
4. Exemption certificate if applicable
Main takeaway
Colorado's reviewed public workers' compensation pages identify a rejection-of-coverage branch for a contractor with no employees who meets the criteria and chooses to reject coverage.
Watch for
- That rejection branch is not the default path for an ordinary Etsy business with employees.
Official links
Official cdle.colorado.gov
Employer registration
Official cdle.colorado.gov
UI premiums and wage reporting
Official cdle.colorado.gov
Workers' compensation
Official famli.colorado.gov
Paid family and medical leave
Official cdle.colorado.gov
Paid sick leave
Official cdle.colorado.gov
Exemption certificate if applicable
Platform help.etsy.com
Shipping-label insurance option
Platform official source
Platform insurance requirement
Up next Insurance branch
Part 2 of 2
Keep the insurance branch visible as you scale
The insurance, liability, and scale-trigger branch.
Part 2 of 2
Keep the insurance branch visible as you scale
The insurance, liability, and scale-trigger branch.
Short answer
This is the insurance and liability follow-up tied to hiring, products, services, or growth.- If you sell physical products, commercial general liability and product liability are practical early decisions even though no public Etsy-wide seller insurance threshold was identified in the reviewed source set as of April 28, 2026.
Do next: Review insurance reality.
Why this matters
Insurance reality
Main takeaway
If you sell physical products, commercial general liability and product liability are practical early decisions even though no public Etsy-wide seller insurance threshold was identified in the reviewed source set as of April 28, 2026.
Watch for
- Etsy's public Purchase Protection help says qualifying orders up to $250 may be covered, but the program is not insurance.
- Etsy's public Purchase Protection help page itself announces updates beginning May 7, 2026, so re-check both the live help page and Etsy's legal policy page if the launch or first sale happens on or after that date.
- Etsy's public shipping-label help says some label services include coverage and additional shipping insurance may be available, so shipping-label protection should be treated as shipment-specific, not as business-wide coverage.
06
Chapter 6 of 7
Keep the operating calendar and mistake list close after launch
Once you are live, use the ongoing calendar and the mistake list to keep the business on a safer path.
Core chapter
What this chapter does
The recurring compliance calendar, live-operating routine, and beginner mistakes to avoid.How to move through it
Assuming Etsy's marketplace tax collection replaces every Colorado or local registration branch.Use the recurring calendar first, then keep the repeated-mistake notes close after launch.
2 parts to review • 26 source touchpoints behind the drawers.
Chapter parts
Open Part 1 when you are ready to start working through this chapter.After you start, only one part stays open at a time and the earlier ones stay easy to revisit.
Part 1 of 2
Use the ongoing compliance calendar
The recurring compliance calendar grouped by timing.
Part 1 of 2
Use the ongoing compliance calendar
The recurring compliance calendar grouped by timing.
Short answer
This groups the recurring checks by when they matter after launch.- Get EIN if applicable.
- Finish the Etsy listing, storefront, and shipping branch.
- Confirm category eligibility.
Do next: Finish entity or trade-name setup.
See checklist
Before first sale
Grouped so the launch order stays easier to scan.
- Finish entity or trade-name setup.
- Get EIN if applicable.
- Open bank account.
- Resolve the Colorado state sales-tax branch that applies.
- Check local permits and self-collected city rules.
- Complete Etsy verification.
Before first live launch
Grouped so the launch order stays easier to scan.
- Finish the Etsy listing, storefront, and shipping branch.
- Confirm category eligibility.
- Build accurate listings.
- Set processing times, shipping settings, and return policies.
Monthly
Grouped so the launch order stays easier to scan.
- Reconcile payouts, fees, refunds, and reserves.
- Review cash reserves for taxes.
- Review margins and shipping performance.
- Check account health and listing issues.
Quarterly
Grouped so the launch order stays easier to scan.
- File Colorado unemployment wage reports, employment data, and premium payments by April 30, July 31, October 31, and January 31 if you are an employer.
- File Colorado sales-tax returns and any self-collected local returns on the cadence assigned to your accounts if you hold those registrations.
- Review estimated-tax needs if your federal or Colorado income-tax facts make them relevant.
Annual or periodic
Grouped so the launch order stays easier to scan.
- Renew Colorado trade names on their renewal cycle if you use one.
- File the Colorado LLC Periodic Report every year if you use an LLC.
- Renew the Colorado sales-tax license at the end of each odd-numbered year if you hold an active state license. As of April 28, 2026, the current two-year period began on January 1, 2026.
- Update the annual FAMLI employee headcount by February 28 if you are an employer.
- Re-check local city tax or permit renewals, especially in Denver.
- Re-check insurance and Etsy policy thresholds before material growth.
Official links
Platform help.etsy.com
Shipping-label insurance option
Platform official source
Platform insurance requirement
Federal irs.gov
EIN overview and online application
Federal irs.gov
EIN paper form
Formation sos.state.co.us
Compare business types
Platform help.etsy.com
Platform registration guide
Platform help.etsy.com
Listing creation
Official colorado.gov
State start-here page
Up next Common mistakes
Part 2 of 2
Common Mistakes New Operators Make
The most common mistakes from the research pack plus the first-launch recommendation.
Part 2 of 2
Common Mistakes New Operators Make
The most common mistakes from the research pack plus the first-launch recommendation.
Short answer
These are the repeated errors called out in the research pack.- Treating self-collected home-rule city questions like a footnote.
- Using a business name before filing the Colorado trade name when it is required.
- Mixing personal and business money.
Do next: Assuming Etsy's marketplace tax collection replaces every Colorado or local registration branch.
Why this matters
Practical first-launch recommendation
- If you are testing casually with minimal risk, sole proprietor can work.
- If you intend to build a real Etsy business selling physical goods, single-member LLC is usually the better long-term path in Colorado.
Key detail
Assuming Etsy's marketplace tax collection replaces every Colorado or local registration branch
Keep in mind
- Treating self-collected home-rule city questions like a footnote
- Using a business name before filing the Colorado trade name when it is required
- Mixing personal and business money
- Launching with restricted or poorly documented items too early
- Pricing listings without accounting for Etsy's full fee stack
- Ignoring the Colorado LLC Periodic Report cycle
- Treating Etsy as the compliance department
Official links
Formation sos.state.co.us
Compare business types
Formation sos.state.co.us
Formation hub
Formation sos.state.co.us
Default entity formation filing
Formation sos.state.co.us
Immediate post-filing requirement
Formation sos.state.co.us
Ongoing entity maintenance
Federal irs.gov
EIN overview and online application
Federal irs.gov
EIN paper form
Local tax.colorado.gov
State tax registration
Tax tax.colorado.gov
Registration instructions
Platform tax.colorado.gov
Marketplace or platform tax rule
Tax tax.colorado.gov
Retail delivery fee on marketplace sales
Tax tax.colorado.gov
Resale or exemption certificate
Tax tax.colorado.gov
Recordkeeping and filing guidance
Platform help.etsy.com
Shipping-label insurance option
Platform official source
Platform insurance requirement
Local denvergov.org
City tax or permit warning
Local denvergov.org
City filing information
Local denvergov.org
City business-tax information hub
07
Chapter 7 of 7
Review your selected steps and open the packet PDF
Use the review screen to decide what belongs in the packet, then open a real PDF preview in a new tab.
Finish
Review and print
Review the chapters you kept and make sure the right reminders stay visible.
Use this step to keep only the chapters that match the launch plan now, then keep the local and city reminders close before you treat the packet as final.
Saved setup choice
single-member LLCThat choice stays visible while the rest of the journey gets lighter.
Packet count
4 chapters selectedOptional branches can stay out of the packet until they match the real launch plan.
Still verify locally
6 remindersLocal tax, zoning, insurance, and platform policy changes still need the official check.
Open the working launch packet with fillable tracker rows, then print or download it from the PDF tab.
Choose what stays in the packet
Selected chapters
- Choose setup
Your setup choice, the short safe path, and the money realities that matter before spending deeply. - Colorado registrations
The Colorado and federal registration sequence, tax setup, and state-maintenance checks. - Etsy setup
Etsy account setup, operations, and pre-launch readiness. - Local and city checks
Local permits, local taxes, city appendices, and location-specific operating rules. - Hiring and insurance
Hiring, payroll, insurance, and scale-up risk reminders. - Ongoing calendar and mistakes
The recurring compliance calendar, live-operating routine, and beginner mistakes to avoid.
See local verification reminders
- State portal that routes founders to filing, licensing, and business resources.
- Official one-stop filing tool for Colorado business registration and management.
- Official checklist that routes founders to tax, employment, licensing, and maintenance issues.
- Denver says a home-based business using the home address as its business address must obtain a zoning permit for a home occupation.
- Denver says a business located in Denver that makes retail sales needs a Denver sales-tax license, even if the business operates from a residence.
- Denver's business-tax information page confirms the current no-fee note for the biannual retailer's license and routes users to tax forms and e-services.
Change your path
Need a different route into this answer?
Use one of these links if you landed in the wrong platform, wrong state, or want the state-only baseline before you keep reading.
Choose another platform Switch away from Etsy without losing the state-first flow. Choose another state for Etsy Stay on Etsy and reopen the state picker for Colorado alternatives. Open the Colorado state guide Compare the platform-specific path with the state-only baseline. Open official sources Jump straight to the official source directory if you want agency links first.