Credit card processing and merchant services in Aurora, CO
Aurora spans Arapahoe, Adams and Douglas counties. The city's 3.75% tax is the same in all three, but the combined rate runs from 8.00% to 8.75% depending on the county.
Aurora is one city with three sales tax rates. Its own 3.75% applies everywhere in the city, but the county share doesn't. The city's rate sheet puts the combined rate at 8.00% in the Arapahoe County part of Aurora, 8.50% in the Adams County part and 8.75% in the Douglas County part. Each total includes the state, RTD and cultural facilities taxes along with the county's.
So the first question for your POS is which county your address sits in. A $200 sale comes to $16.00 in tax in the Arapahoe portion, $17.00 in Adams and $17.50 in Douglas. Two Aurora locations in different counties need two different rates, and a franchise group copying one store's settings to the next would get one of them wrong. If you aren't sure where a location falls, the city's Tax and Licensing Division can tell you.
Aurora also has a 3.75% use tax. It covers taxable goods and services that weren't charged the city's sales tax, and you pay it directly to the city instead of to a vendor. A display case or card terminal bought from a seller that didn't charge Aurora tax is the kind of purchase it catches.
The Census Bureau estimated Aurora's population at 410,053 in July 2025, up 6.2% from its 2020 base. Colorado's statewide rules apply on top of the city's taxes: credit card surcharges can't exceed 2% or your actual merchant discount fee, debit cards are off limits, and retail stores taking payment in person generally have to accept cash. Our Colorado page has the statute wording.
If you're weighing that 2% cap against what cards really cost you, a free statement review gives you the number to compare. Our surcharging program handles Colorado's sign and receipt requirements if you go ahead.
Rules that matter in Aurora, CO
Combined rates by county
The City of Aurora's sales tax rate is 3.75% in each of the three counties the city spans. With state, RTD, cultural facilities and county taxes added, the combined rate is 8.00% in Arapahoe County, 8.50% in Adams County and 8.75% in Douglas County.
Set the rate for each location by the county it's in, and confirm it with the city before you go live.
Sources: City of Aurora, Sales tax rates for Arapahoe, Adams and Douglas counties (PDF); City of Aurora, Sales tax
Aurora use tax
Aurora's general use tax rate is 3.75%. It applies to tangible personal property or taxable services that weren't subject to city sales tax, and it's paid directly to the city rather than to a vendor.
Source: City of Aurora, Use tax
Payment services we provide
Guides worth reading next
All guidesFees and pricing
What are interchange fees, and who gets the money?
What are interchange fees? The cut of each card sale paid to the card-issuing bank. Who sets them, what moves the rate, and how they show on your statement.
Industries
Restaurant credit card processing: tips, fees, and rules
Restaurant credit card processing explained: tip adjustment, pay-at-table, online order costs, surcharge rules by state, and chargebacks on takeout.
Industries
Salon credit card processing: tips, no-shows, and fees
Salon credit card processing explained: tips and tip payouts, booth renters, no-show fees on a card on file, surcharge rules, and the terminals that fit.
Common questions
What is the sales tax rate in Aurora, Colorado?
It depends on the county. Aurora's own rate is 3.75% everywhere in the city, and the combined rate is 8.00% in the Arapahoe County part, 8.50% in the Adams County part and 8.75% in the Douglas County part, according to the city's rate sheet.
How do I find out which county my Aurora location is in?
The property's deed or tax records usually name the county. If you lease and don't have those, or the address is close to a county line, ask the city's Tax and Licensing Division before you program your terminals, because a wrong county can put your rate off by as much as three-quarters of a point.
Do I owe Aurora use tax on equipment I buy for my business?
You may. Aurora charges a 3.75% use tax on taxable goods and services that weren't charged city sales tax, and you pay it to the city directly. Equipment bought from an out-of-state seller that didn't collect Aurora tax is the usual case to check.
Can an Aurora shop add a surcharge to credit card payments?
Yes, within Colorado's limits. The surcharge can't exceed 2% of the sale or your actual merchant discount fee, it must appear as a separate line on the receipt, and it can't apply to cash, checks, debit cards or gift card redemptions. The 2% option comes with sign wording set by statute. Visa's 3% cap also applies.
More Colorado cities besides Aurora, CO
Disclaimer: general information, not professional advice
This page is general educational information, not legal, tax, accounting or financial advice. Rules and rates vary by place and change, so confirm them with the official source and a qualified professional before you act. Full terms are in our Terms of Service.
Let's talk about your payments
Tell us about your business and how you take payments now, and a Clearo rep will reach out within one business day.