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La Plata County

Selling a Business in La Plata County

La Plata County has 2,447 employer businesses, and 92% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows the local mix of industries and how a sale is handled here.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

La Plata County by the numbers

2,447

2,447

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

92%

92%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

7,649

7,649

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

20,351

20,351

EMPLOYMENT

$1.1 billion

$1.1 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

906

906

BUSINESSES WITH 5 TO 49 EMPLOYEES

U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023 and Nonemployer Statistics 2024. Counts are employer establishments, meaning business locations with paid employees.

How La Plata County compares

  • La Plata County ranks 14th of 64 Colorado counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 0.8% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Construction makes up 15% of employer businesses in La Plata County, compared with 11% in Colorado.

  • 906 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • La Plata County ranks 14th of 64 Colorado counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 0.8% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Construction makes up 15% of employer businesses in La Plata County, compared with 11% in Colorado.

  • 906 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Construction: 357 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 320 employer businesses

  • Retail: 285 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 256 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 232 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Construction: 357 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 320 employer businesses

  • Retail: 285 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 256 employer businesses

  • Accommodation and food service: 232 employer businesses

Every kind of business we sell in La Plata County

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in La Plata County. Counts are employer businesses in the closest Census industry codes. Industries without a clean Census match are listed without a count, and a few industries share one Census category, so their counts match. A sale multiple is the price a business typically sells for as a multiple of its earnings. SDE means seller's discretionary earnings, which is the owner's pay plus the profit of the business. EBITDA means earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.

Construction & Engineering

397 related employer businesses in La Plata County.

  • General Contracting: 128 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 49 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 45 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 45 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Civil Engineering: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

Financial & Professional Services

205 related employer businesses in La Plata County.

Restaurants & Food

181 related employer businesses in La Plata County.

Medical Practices

149 related employer businesses in La Plata County.

Retail Stores

125 related employer businesses in La Plata County.

Automotive & Boat

63 related employer businesses in La Plata County.

  • Auto Repair: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Dealerships: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Towing & Repo: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Home Services

63 related employer businesses in La Plata County.

  • Property Management: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Residential Cleaning: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.

  • Commercial Cleaning: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.

  • Pest Control: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.34x - 2.90x SDE.

  • Security Systems: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.9x EBITDA.

Manufacturing

48 related employer businesses in La Plata County.

Hospitality & Travel

41 related employer businesses in La Plata County.

  • Hotels: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

Entertainment & Recreation

37 related employer businesses in La Plata County.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Bars & Pubs: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Golf Courses: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

Technology & Media

31 related employer businesses in La Plata County.

Wholesale & Distribution

30 related employer businesses in La Plata County.

Beauty & Personal Care

29 related employer businesses in La Plata County.

  • Hair Salons: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

Energy & Utilities

25 related employer businesses in La Plata County.

Education & Childcare

21 related employer businesses in La Plata County.

  • Daycare Centers: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

Gas Stations & Convenience

21 related employer businesses in La Plata County.

  • Gas Stations: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

Logistics & Transportation

21 related employer businesses in La Plata County.

Health & Fitness

16 related employer businesses in La Plata County.

Pet Services

16 related employer businesses in La Plata County.

Senior Care & Living

10 related employer businesses in La Plata County.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

8 related employer businesses in La Plata County.

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in La Plata County. Counts are employer businesses in the closest Census industry codes. Industries without a clean Census match are listed without a count, and a few industries share one Census category, so their counts match. A sale multiple is the price a business typically sells for as a multiple of its earnings. SDE means seller's discretionary earnings, which is the owner's pay plus the profit of the business. EBITDA means earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.

Construction & Engineering

397 related employer businesses in La Plata County.

  • General Contracting: 128 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 49 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 45 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 45 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Civil Engineering: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

Financial & Professional Services

205 related employer businesses in La Plata County.

Restaurants & Food

181 related employer businesses in La Plata County.

Medical Practices

149 related employer businesses in La Plata County.

Retail Stores

125 related employer businesses in La Plata County.

Automotive & Boat

63 related employer businesses in La Plata County.

  • Auto Repair: 26 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Collision Repair: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Washes: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Dealerships: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Towing & Repo: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Home Services

63 related employer businesses in La Plata County.

  • Property Management: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Residential Cleaning: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.

  • Commercial Cleaning: 27 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.

  • Pest Control: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.34x - 2.90x SDE.

  • Security Systems: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.9x EBITDA.

Manufacturing

48 related employer businesses in La Plata County.

Hospitality & Travel

41 related employer businesses in La Plata County.

  • Hotels: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 32 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

Entertainment & Recreation

37 related employer businesses in La Plata County.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Bars & Pubs: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Golf Courses: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

Technology & Media

31 related employer businesses in La Plata County.

Wholesale & Distribution

30 related employer businesses in La Plata County.

Beauty & Personal Care

29 related employer businesses in La Plata County.

  • Hair Salons: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

Energy & Utilities

25 related employer businesses in La Plata County.

Education & Childcare

21 related employer businesses in La Plata County.

  • Daycare Centers: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

Gas Stations & Convenience

21 related employer businesses in La Plata County.

  • Gas Stations: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.

Logistics & Transportation

21 related employer businesses in La Plata County.

Health & Fitness

16 related employer businesses in La Plata County.

Pet Services

16 related employer businesses in La Plata County.

Senior Care & Living

10 related employer businesses in La Plata County.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

8 related employer businesses in La Plata County.

Working with owners in La Plata County

Business Advisors of America works with owners who are selling a business in La Plata County. Contact us to talk about a sale.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in La Plata County ask

How long does it take to sell a business in La Plata County?

The time depends on the price, the quality of the records and the number of qualified buyers. Many sales take six months or longer from the start of the process to closing.

How is a business valued in La Plata County?

Valuation starts with the earnings the business produces for an owner, then adjusts for assets, size, industry and the terms a buyer is likely to accept. The result is a range, and the asking price is set inside it.

Is the sale confidential?

Buyers are asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement before they see the name of the business or its financial statements.

FROM OUR BLOG

Guides for owners in La Plata County

October 3, 2025

Business Owners

Add-Backs: What Counts, What Does Not, and What Buyers Push Back On

Every add-back you can prove raises your sale price by two to three times its amount. Every add-back you cannot prove costs you credibility on all the others.

Read article

October 3, 2025

Business Owners

Add-Backs: What Counts, What Does Not, and What Buyers Push Back On

Every add-back you can prove raises your sale price by two to three times its amount. Every add-back you cannot prove costs you credibility on all the others.

Read article

March 5, 2026

Business Owners

Buyer Qualification: How We Screen Out the Buyers Who Cannot Close

Most inquiries on a business listing come from people who cannot close. Here is how they get screened out before they see your name or your financials.

Read article

March 5, 2026

Business Owners

Buyer Qualification: How We Screen Out the Buyers Who Cannot Close

Most inquiries on a business listing come from people who cannot close. Here is how they get screened out before they see your name or your financials.

Read article

February 9, 2026

Business Owners

The Confidential Information Memorandum: What Goes In It and Why

The CIM is the document a buyer reads before they decide to spend time on your business. Here is what it has to contain and the mistakes that cost sellers offers.

Read article

February 9, 2026

Business Owners

The Confidential Information Memorandum: What Goes In It and Why

The CIM is the document a buyer reads before they decide to spend time on your business. Here is what it has to contain and the mistakes that cost sellers offers.

Read article