Application for a Tree Contractor's License is made at the Department of Community Resources, Urban Parks and Forestry Division located at 2775 S. Estes St, Lakewood, CO 80227. The license will be issued in the name of an individual person under the name of a firm or corporation and is non-transferable. Click here to obtain an application for a Tree Contractor's License.

Click here to review Chapter 8.06, TREES AND VEGETATION, from the Lakewood Municipal Code. Applicants are responsible for knowing and observing the requirements needed to obtain and maintain a Tree Contractor's License.

There are four kinds of tree contractor's licenses:

1) ARBORICULTURE LICENSE - includes trimming, spraying, removal, ornamental and evergreens.

2) LARGE TREE LICENSE - includes trimming, ornamental and evergreens.

3) ORNAMENTAL LICENSE - includes any work that can be done without leaving the ground, evergreen trees, shrubs and small trees including planting, trimming and removal.

4) SPRAY LICENSE - must provide Commercial Applicator's Business License issued by Colorado Department of Agriculture.

Application procedures and requirements vary depending on the kind of license requested.

INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS

Each applicant must furnish at the time of application a certificate(s) of insurance stating the following minimum requirements:

1) A minimum limit of liability per occurrence of $600,000 for bodily injury and/or property damage.

2) A minimum limit of liability per occurrence of $600,000 combined single limit for bodily injury and/or property damage for all vehicles.

3) Shall furnish worker's compensation in compliance with the Worker's Compensation Law of the State.

Please Note: A Worker's Compensation Waiver will be used in the event there are no employees. Click here to obtain a copy of the waiver form.

REGULATION OF PESTICIDES

Any tree contractor licensed to do business in the City shall register his current Pesticide Applicator's License, issued by the Colorado Department of Agriculture, with the Department of Community Resources.

REGULATION OF TREE TRIMMING

Click here to review the Tree Trimming Standards.

If an applicant submits a current license from Aurora or Denver, then testing is not required. If applicant is not licensed in one of the cities mentioned above, then applicant must take a written examination on tree trimming. The City Forester administers this test. Applicant may make an appointment for this test through the Department of Community Resources with John Dzialo at 720-963-5246. A grade of at least 70% will be considered passing. If applicant fails to pass the written examination, the applicant can retest after a 30-day waiting period. If the examination is failed again, the applicant must wait an additional 30-days to retest. If the applicant fails the examination the third time, then applicant will not be eligible to retest for one calendar year. Once an applicant has successfully passed the written examination, he/she must demonstrate their ability in competency pertaining to the license applied for in the field.

FEES REQUIRED FOR INITIAL APPLICATION

$25.00 nonrefundable annual license fee

APPROVAL OF PERMIT

After completion of the application, the application is reviewed by the Forestry Department for approval. This routing process takes approximately ten days. You will be notified by the department of approval/disapproval.

Please Note: The license shall be valid for the current calendar year.

If you have any questions regarding a license for Tree Contractors, please call 720-963-5240.