Colorado credit card surcharge rules for dental practices
Allowed with limits
Can Colorado dental offices add a credit card fee? Yes, up to 3%, capped at your actual processing cost, with a posted sign and a separate receipt line.
Can dental offices in Colorado charge a credit card fee?
Yes. Under C.R.S. 5-2-212(1)(c)(II), Colorado practices can add a credit card surcharge up to their actual processing cost (the merchant discount fee). Card brand rules then cap it at 3% for offices that take Visa.
Colorado adds a few rules on top of that:
- Actual cost only. The fee can't be more than what you actually pay to process that card.
- Posted sign. You need a sign at the front desk with the state's required wording. For online payments, patients must see the notice before checkout.
- Separate receipt line. The fee has to show as its own line on the receipt.
- One fee per payment. Only one surcharge is allowed on each payment.
- No fee on debit. Debit cards, cash, checks and gift cards are never charged extra.
Visa caps surcharges at 3% and Mastercard at 4%. Debit cards can never be surcharged. Most offices take both cards, so in practice the fee stays at 3% or less.
Some Colorado practices choose a dual pricing program instead of a surcharge. We'll help you pick the option that fits your office.
How Summit helps
We check the rules before setup and set up your signs and receipts to match, so your front desk doesn't have to guess. Summit works with dental practices nationwide.
Get a free statement review. Send us a recent processing statement and we'll show you what you're paying today and how a compliant card fee program would work for your practice.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Is a 3% credit card fee legal in Colorado?
Yes, as long as 3% is not more than your actual processing cost for that card. Under C.R.S. 5-2-212(1)(c)(II), Colorado practices can add a credit card surcharge up to their actual processing cost (the merchant discount fee). Card brand rules then cap it at 3% for offices that take Visa.
Do I need a sign at my front desk?
Yes. Colorado requires a posted sign with specific wording, and an on-screen notice before checkout for online payments.
Can I charge a fee on debit cards?
No. Debit cards, cash, checks and gift cards can't be surcharged in Colorado, and card brands never allow debit surcharges anywhere.
Does the fee need to be on the receipt?
Yes. It must appear as its own line, and only one surcharge is allowed per payment.
Sources
This page is general information, not legal advice. Rules can change, so check with your attorney before you start a card fee program.
Last checked:
Reviewed by Brendon Degner, founder. Last reviewed .
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Send us a recent processing statement and we'll show you what you're paying today and how a compliant card fee program would work for your practice.
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