New Pawnbroker License: Application Procedure

This procedure is designed to assist you in complying with the City of Centennial pawnbroker licensing requirements. If you have any questions during the application process, please call the Licensing Specialist at 303-754-3381. Correspondence should be addressed to the Licensing Specialist at Centennial Civic Center, 13133 E. Arapahoe Rd., Centennial, CO 80112.

You can obtain the necessary forms and information from the Licensing Specialist or through the City’s website on our Pawnbroker Licensing page.

Please make an appointment with the Licensing Specialist for submission of application documents by calling 303-754-3381 or email the Licensing Specialist.

1. Return complete application packet to the Licensing Specialist with the following documents and appropriate fees:
   1. Fill out the Pawnbroker License Application(PDF, 215KB).
   2. Pawnbroker License Application Fee of $215 with the check payable to the City of Centennial (NON REFUNDABLE).
   3. Annual Pawnbroker License Fee of $2,500 with the check payable to the City of Centennial.
   4. Individual History Report(PDF, 161KB) (IHR) must be submitted for the owner, all partners owning 20% or more and managers. For corporations, all officers, all directors and each stockholder owning 20% or more of the corporate stock, and the local manager must submit an IHR. Also submit a copy of the driver’s license for each person submitting IHR.
   5. Affidavit Concerning Criminal History(PDF, 27KB). Because the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation reports can take several weeks to obtain, the City will, initially, accept an affidavit from the applicants revealing their complete criminal history. Failing to fully and truthfully disclose all required information could place the pawnbroker license in jeopardy. (See number two below regarding a background investigation).
   6. Submit a current photo of the individual applicant, partner of a partnership, manager of a limited liability company, officers and managers of the applicant. View Centennial Municipal Code (CMC) Section 6-7-140 (4) for details.
   7. A Financial Questionnaire(PDF, 26KB) and Consent to Release Financial Information. Additionally, submit a current personal financial statement, or a balance sheet and income account statement, for the preceding twelve-month period prior to the date of the application for each individual applicant, partner of a partnership, manager of a limited liability company, officer and manager of the applicant. View CMC Section 6-7-140 (7) for details.
   8. Bond Requirement. Every applicant for a pawnbroker's license are required to furnish with its application an initial bond with a responsible surety, to be approved by the City Manager, in the amount of $10,000, for the benefit of the people of the City, conditioned upon the safekeeping or return of all tangible personal property held by the pawnbroker, as required by law and ordinance, and the due observance of the provisions of this Article. No license shall be issued or renewed absent such approved bond. View CMC Section 6-7-160 for details.
   9. Evidence of right to property. Proof of applicant's right to the premises must be presented. This may be a copy of the lease or rental agreement, or if the premises are owned, a copy of the deed. If a lease is being assigned, the assignment of lease must be submitted. The lease or deed must be in the same name as the applicant. Lease must show an expiration date at least one year from the effective date of the license.
   10. Verification of Zoning. Provide documentation that proposed site is zoned for desired use.
   11. Zoning Verification Letter must be obtained by the applicant from the City of Centennial Community Development Department. There will be a fee of $75 to the Community Development Department to verify the zoning. Please contact them at 303-754-3308 or view our Apply for a Zoning Verification Letter page.
   12. Layout of Building. A drawing of the layout of the building is required. The layout should be submitted on 8 ½” x 11" paper and must show, without limitation, the building layout and floor plan of the proposed premises, all entry ways and exits to the proposed premises, all loading areas, the locked secure area for Tangible Personal Property, location of the required burglary safe, and a security plan indicating the location of all video cameras relative to where Tangible Personal Property will be removed from the container in which it is delivered. Include dimensions. Only the licensed premises should appear in the drawing. Please submit a separate diagram for each floor.
   13. Evidence of Security Safe. All Licensees shall provide a safe place within the City for the keeping of Pledged Property it has received. View CMC Section 6-7-390 (a) for details.
   14. Internet Pawnbrokers shall maintain a monitored alarm system for the licensed premises and shall designate a locked secure area within such premises that is not open to the general public for opening, recording receipt and holding of Pledged Property. Internet Pawnbrokers shall also maintain on the licensed premises a burglary safe with a minimum rating of TL-15 for the storing of small items of high value.
   15. Evidence of Insurance. All Licensees shall maintain sufficient insurance on the Pledged Property held for the benefit of the Pledgor to pay 50% of the real value thereof in case of fire, theft or other casualty loss. The City Manager shall not approve an application for a license under this Article until the Applicant has provided such insurance policies to the City Manager. Neither the Licensee nor surety shall be relieved from their responsibility by reason of such fire, theft or other casualty loss, nor from any other cause unless they have rendered full performance in accordance with the Contract for Purchase. View CMC Section 6-7-390 (b) for details.
   16. Individuals Applying Must Submit:
       1. Management agreement if licensee is not manager
       2. Financial Questionnaire
       3. Affidavit - Restrictions on Public Benefits
   17. Partnerships Applying Must Submit:
       1. Management agreement if other than a member of partnership is manager
       2. Partnership agreement
       3. Financial Questionnaire
   18. Limited Liability Companies Applying Must Submit:
       1. Articles of Organization
       2. Acknowledgment from Secretary of State
       3. Operating Agreement
       4. Certificate of Authority (if foreign company)
       5. Minutes of meeting accepting new members
       6. Financial Questionnaire
   19. Corporations Applying Must Submit:
       1. Certificate of incorporation and articles of incorporation
       2. Minutes of last organizational meeting showing election of present officers and directors
       3. Copy of stock certificates issued
       4. Corporate financial report
       5. Management agreement if other than corporate officer or director is manager
       6. Financial Questionnaire
2. An investigation of the applicant's background will be completed by the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office. Owners, partners, all corporate officers and directors, stockholders with 10% or more of the corporate stock and managers are required to undergo an investigation. Fingerprints must be taken by the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office, or another law enforcement agency, prior to consideration of the application by the Licensing Specialist. Fingerprint cards must be submitted to the Licensing Specialist, along with a check for each set of prints, payable to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, in the amount of $16.50. Payment must be in the form of certified funds, a business check or money order. Personal checks will not be accepted. Fingerprints may be taken Monday thru Thursday, 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office, 13101 E. Broncos Pkwy., Centennial, CO.
3. Upon receipt of an application that is complete in every detail, the Licensing Specialist will submit the application to the City Clerk and City Manager for approval. The application will be considered to be “received” upon such submittal. Additional documentation may be required at the request of the City Clerk and/or City Manager prior to final approval.
4. Prior to issuance of the City License, the Licensing Specialist, or his/her representative from the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office, will inspect the licensed premises.

The City of Centennial will not consider an application that is not complete in every detail. Please make an appointment to review the application with the Licensing Specialist.