Selling a Business in Fort Collins

Owners in the Fort Collins area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 11,764 employer businesses, and 87% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows what is here and how a sale is handled.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Fort Collins by the numbers

11,764

11,764

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

87%

87%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

38,966

38,966

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

139,517

139,517

EMPLOYMENT

$8.8 billion

$8.8 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

4,497

4,497

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 Fort Collins compares

  • The Fort Collins area ranks 4th of 7 Colorado metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 5.5% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Health care and social assistance makes up 11% of employer businesses in Fort Collins, compared with 11% in Colorado.

  • 4,497 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Fort Collins area ranks 4th of 7 Colorado metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 5.5% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Health care and social assistance makes up 11% of employer businesses in Fort Collins, compared with 11% in Colorado.

  • 4,497 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Professional and technical services: 1,809 employer businesses

  • Construction: 1,371 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 1,317 employer businesses

  • Retail: 1,252 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 1,071 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Professional and technical services: 1,809 employer businesses

  • Construction: 1,371 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 1,317 employer businesses

  • Retail: 1,252 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 1,071 employer businesses

What buyers look for

Buyers look first at profit that holds up under review. Three years of tax returns and profit and loss statements that match each other carry more weight than a high number that cannot be shown.

  • How much of the business depends on the owner

  • How concentrated sales are among a few customers

  • The lease, its remaining term and the landlord's consent to a sale

  • The condition of equipment and the contracts that transfer

Buyers look first at profit that holds up under review. Three years of tax returns and profit and loss statements that match each other carry more weight than a high number that cannot be shown.

  • How much of the business depends on the owner

  • How concentrated sales are among a few customers

  • The lease, its remaining term and the landlord's consent to a sale

  • The condition of equipment and the contracts that transfer

Every kind of business we sell in Fort Collins

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Fort Collins. 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

1,646 related employer businesses in Fort Collins.

  • General Contracting: 378 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 256 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 220 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Landscaping: 210 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 185 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 185 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 143 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 94 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Roofing & Siding: 91 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Financial & Professional Services

1,104 related employer businesses in Fort Collins.

Medical Practices

878 related employer businesses in Fort Collins.

Restaurants & Food

860 related employer businesses in Fort Collins.

Retail Stores

569 related employer businesses in Fort Collins.

Manufacturing

362 related employer businesses in Fort Collins.

Automotive & Boat

348 related employer businesses in Fort Collins.

  • Auto Repair: 157 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Collision Repair: 59 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Dealerships: 51 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 42 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Washes: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Marinas: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Beauty & Personal Care

261 related employer businesses in Fort Collins.

  • Hair Salons: 132 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 77 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 77 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 77 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

  • Medical Spas. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Home Services

247 related employer businesses in Fort Collins.

Technology & Media

220 related employer businesses in Fort Collins.

Wholesale & Distribution

180 related employer businesses in Fort Collins.

Logistics & Transportation

163 related employer businesses in Fort Collins.

Hospitality & Travel

147 related employer businesses in Fort Collins.

  • Hotels: 102 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 102 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Entertainment & Recreation

145 related employer businesses in Fort Collins.

  • Bars & Pubs: 63 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 63 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 60 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Arcades & FECs: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Bowling Alleys: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Event Venues. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 3.5x Earnings.

  • Banquet Halls. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 4.5x Earnings.

  • Escape Rooms. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 3.5x SDE.

Health & Fitness

108 related employer businesses in Fort Collins.

Gas Stations & Convenience

94 related employer businesses in Fort Collins.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

81 related employer businesses in Fort Collins.

Education & Childcare

79 related employer businesses in Fort Collins.

  • Daycare Centers: 70 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

  • Preschools. Typical sale multiple: 3.12x - 4.0x SDE.

Energy & Utilities

71 related employer businesses in Fort Collins.

Senior Care & Living

66 related employer businesses in Fort Collins.

Pet Services

64 related employer businesses in Fort Collins.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Fort Collins. 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

1,646 related employer businesses in Fort Collins.

  • General Contracting: 378 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 256 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Civil Engineering: 220 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Landscaping: 210 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Plumbing: 185 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 185 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 143 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 94 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Roofing & Siding: 91 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 38 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Financial & Professional Services

1,104 related employer businesses in Fort Collins.

Medical Practices

878 related employer businesses in Fort Collins.

Restaurants & Food

860 related employer businesses in Fort Collins.

Retail Stores

569 related employer businesses in Fort Collins.

Manufacturing

362 related employer businesses in Fort Collins.

Automotive & Boat

348 related employer businesses in Fort Collins.

  • Auto Repair: 157 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Collision Repair: 59 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Car Dealerships: 51 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Auto Parts: 42 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Washes: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Marinas: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: Cap Rate or 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Beauty & Personal Care

261 related employer businesses in Fort Collins.

  • Hair Salons: 132 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 77 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 77 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 77 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 36 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

  • Medical Spas. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Home Services

247 related employer businesses in Fort Collins.

Technology & Media

220 related employer businesses in Fort Collins.

Wholesale & Distribution

180 related employer businesses in Fort Collins.

Logistics & Transportation

163 related employer businesses in Fort Collins.

Hospitality & Travel

147 related employer businesses in Fort Collins.

  • Hotels: 102 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 102 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Entertainment & Recreation

145 related employer businesses in Fort Collins.

  • Bars & Pubs: 63 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 63 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 60 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Arcades & FECs: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Bowling Alleys: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Event Venues. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 3.5x Earnings.

  • Banquet Halls. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 4.5x Earnings.

  • Escape Rooms. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 3.5x SDE.

Health & Fitness

108 related employer businesses in Fort Collins.

Gas Stations & Convenience

94 related employer businesses in Fort Collins.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

81 related employer businesses in Fort Collins.

Education & Childcare

79 related employer businesses in Fort Collins.

  • Daycare Centers: 70 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

  • Preschools. Typical sale multiple: 3.12x - 4.0x SDE.

Energy & Utilities

71 related employer businesses in Fort Collins.

Senior Care & Living

66 related employer businesses in Fort Collins.

Pet Services

64 related employer businesses in Fort Collins.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Fort Collins

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Fort Collins ask

How long does it take to sell a business in Fort Collins?

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 Fort Collins?

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 Fort Collins

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