Confirming a lender is properly licensed takes a few minutes and can save a Denver borrower from a costly, illegal loan. Here’s exactly how to verify a licensed lender in Colorado before you sign anything.
Quick answer: To verify a Colorado lender, check its name and license number against the Consumer Credit Unit's Licensed Supervised Lenders report available through the Colorado Attorney General's website, or call the UCCC Administrator's licensing line directly before providing any personal or financial information.
Why licensing matters
Any non-bank lender making loans with a finance charge above 12% a year, which covers essentially all real-world personal, installment, and payday-style loans, must hold a supervised lender’s license from the Colorado Attorney General’s Office. An unlicensed lender operating in Colorado is violating state law, and a loan made outside the licensing framework may not be enforceable, or may be enforceable only on terms far less favorable to the lender.
Step one: find the lender’s legal name
Get the lender’s exact legal name and, if provided, its license number from its website, loan application, or paperwork. Online lenders sometimes operate under a consumer-facing brand name that differs from the licensed legal entity, so look for a “legal name” or “doing business as” disclosure, often in the site’s footer or terms of service.
Step two: check the Consumer Credit Unit’s records
The Colorado Attorney General’s Consumer Credit Unit maintains a public Licensed Supervised Lenders & Disciplinary History report, searchable by lender name. Confirm the exact legal name appears, that the license is active, and check whether any disciplinary history is listed. This same office licenses payday, installment, and other supervised lenders statewide.
Step three: call if you’re unsure
If a name doesn’t clearly match or you can’t find a lender in the online records, call the Consumer Credit Unit’s licensing line directly. A quick phone call before sharing your bank account or Social Security number is far cheaper than untangling an illegal loan afterward.
What to do if a lender isn’t licensed
Stop the application immediately. Do not provide further personal or financial information, and don’t sign anything. If you’ve already shared sensitive information, monitor your accounts and consider a credit freeze. Report the unlicensed activity to the UCCC Administrator, who investigates lenders operating without proper authority, and consider filing a parallel complaint with the CFPB.
What a license search actually shows you
The Consumer Credit Unit’s public records don’t just confirm a license exists; they can also show disciplinary history, meaning a lender that’s been sanctioned for past violations will show up in the same search. Two lenders might both hold active licenses, but one with a clean record and one with a documented history of complaints. Spending the extra minute to check disciplinary history, not just license status, gives you a fuller picture before you commit.
A note on bank and credit union exceptions
Banks and credit unions don’t appear on the supervised lender list because they’re regulated separately, through federal and state banking or credit union authorities rather than the UCCC Administrator. If a Denver lender claims to be a bank or credit union, you can separately verify that status through the FDIC’s or NCUA’s institution lookup tools before trusting the claim.
Bookmarking the license lookup
Because you may need to verify more than one lender over time, whether comparing offers or helping a family member, it’s worth bookmarking the Consumer Credit Unit’s licensing page rather than searching for it fresh each time. A few seconds of preparation now saves a scramble later when you’re trying to move quickly on a loan decision.
FAQ
Which Colorado lenders need a license?
Any non-bank lender charging a finance charge above 12% a year, covering nearly all real-world personal, installment, and payday-style loans.
Where do I check if a lender is licensed?
The Colorado Attorney General’s Consumer Credit Unit publishes a Licensed Supervised Lenders & Disciplinary History report online.
What if I can’t find the lender in the records?
Call the Consumer Credit Unit’s licensing line directly before providing any personal or financial information.
What should I do if a lender is unlicensed?
Stop the application, avoid sharing further information, and report the lender to the UCCC Administrator.
This article is for educational purposes only and is not financial advice. Loan amounts, fees, and laws can change, so verify current rules with the Colorado Attorney General’s Office, Administrator of the Uniform Consumer Credit Code (UCCC) at coag.gov/file-a-complaint/uniform-consumer-credit-code and confirm any lender is licensed before you borrow.