How Much Does It Cost to Start an LLC in Colorado?
Legal business registration — and making sure your business is in compliance — involves some necessary expenses. Some of these costs are payable to the Colorado Secretary of State, while others are due to additional state entities or the federal government. Here are some of the most common requirements and fees.
Please note that Colorado business license and permit fees may need to be paid when you first form your business, on an ongoing schedule or on an ad hoc basis. Find more details below.
Initial Colorado LLC Fees
You’ll need to file as an LLC with the Colorado Secretary of State and pay a filing fee when you first formally form your business. Here are the current Colorado LLC fees and filing times:
State Fee
$50
State Filling Time
3 Weeks
Expedited Filing Time
1 Business Day
When you form your LLC with us, Bizee will charge you this fee and forward it to the Colorado Secretary of State when we file your formation paperwork.
Bizee Can File Your Formation Paperwork for You for Free — Just Pay the Required Colorado LLC Filing Fee
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Colorado Allows You to Form Your LLC More Quickly by Paying an Expedited Fee
Form Your LLC Through Bizee Today![Expedited](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fs3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com%2Fbizee-website-assets%2FCTA-Banner_Expedited.png&w=1080&q=75)
Employer Identification Number
Every LLC in the U.S. should obtain a unique Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service. You'll use it when you open a business bank account, file taxes and pay employees. It's available at no cost from the IRS, or you can have Bizee obtain one for you.
Get an EIN for Your LLC Through BizeeForeign LLCs
When you want to do business in a state other than the one where your business is based, you must create a Foreign LLC.
Colorado Foreign LLC Registration
Foreign companies are those that are formed in another state or country. In order to transact business in Colorado, these entities must file a Statement of Foreign Entity Authority with the Colorado Secretary of State for a Foreign LLC.
The registration must be accompanied by a Certificate of Good Standing or a Certificate of Existence from the domestic state of formation. Register your out-of-state foreign company online by filing your forms for a Statement of Foreign Entity Authority with the Secretary of State. The filing fee for a Colorado Foreign LLC is $100. The state may have additional requirements, so contact the Colorado Secretary of State for more information.
Foreign Qualification to Operate in Another State
If you plan to expand your Colorado LLC into another state, you’ll first need Foreign Qualification or a Certificate of Authority or Compliance from that state. This is necessary if you'll have a physical presence, employees or banking in that state.
This process will likely require you to complete an application and pay a filing fee. Each state typically has its own requirements, so you’ll want to contact the state government entity that administers business (usually the Secretary of State) for specific instructions.
If you need assistance, Bizee provides complete Foreign Qualification service for all states.
Get Foreign Qualification or a Certificate of Authority Through BizeeAnnual Report Requirements
Most states — including Colorado — require businesses to file an annual (or other periodic) report with the Secretary of State. For the State of Colorado, the Secretary of State requires an annual report to be filed online once every year. When you file your annual report, you’ll need to pay a fee of $10. Here are the Colorado annual report filing requirements:
Frequency
Annually
Due Date
During the three-month period beginning with the first day of the entity's anniversary month of formation.
Filing Fee
$10
Bizee Can Also Complete and File Your Colorado Annual Report on Your Behalf
Bizee’s Annual Report Filing Service![Annual Report](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fs3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com%2Fbizee-website-assets%2FCTA-Banner_Annual%20Report.png&w=1080&q=75)
Colorado Business License and Permit Requirements
As a business owner, it’s your responsibility to make sure you have the proper state, federal or local business licenses to operate your Colorado LLC. Some of the associated fees only need to be paid once, while others are ongoing charges.
Permits and licenses vary based on:
- The industry your LLC operates in (e.g., restaurants will need health permits)
- The location of your LLC (state, county or city) (e.g., a license to conduct business from Denver)
- The type of business you run (e.g., healthcare providers must meet HIPAA requirements)
Running your business without the required licenses may expose you to risks and fines from federal, state and local governments.:
Operating Agreements
The state of Colorado doesn't require you to have an LLC Operating Agreement in place.
An Operating Agreement is a document that covers the rights and duties of pertinent members, how the business will be run, how managers and members are chosen and several other key areas. It's usually filed with your Articles of Organization at the time of your formal business formation.
This document can be extremely helpful in making sure you’re organized and prepared for any future events that may affect your business.
Bizee Can Draft a General Operating Agreement Template When You Form Your Colorado Business.
If you have any unique requirements, you can make the necessary changes to accommodate them.
Learn About Operating Agreements![Operating Agreement](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fs3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com%2Fbizee-website-assets%2FCTA-Banner_Operating%20Agreement.png&w=1080&q=75)
Other Potential Colorado LLC Fees or Requirements
It is normal for your business to pay and meet several other fees and requirements during the life of your LLC. These ad hoc fees will only be payable in specific circumstances, as listed below.
Obtaining a Trade Name or DBA
If you wish to establish a Colorado trade name, you must file a Statement of Trade Name with the Colorado Secretary of State and pay a filing fee of $20.
Bizee Can File Your Trade Name or DBA Forms on Your Behalf
Bizee’s DBA Service![Assumed business name document](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fs3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com%2Fbizee-website-assets%2Fassumed-business-name-phone.png&w=1920&q=75)
Changing the Registered Agent
Your LLC needs a Colorado Registered Agent, which you must appoint when you file your Articles of Organization. You can also switch to a new Registered Agent later — for a fee of $10 — by filing a Statement of Charge with the Colorado SOS online.
Have Bizee Serve as Your Registered Agent.
It’s free for the first year if you form your LLC with us and $119 a year after.
Bizee's Registered Agent Service![Registered Agent](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fs3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com%2Fbizee-website-assets%2FCTA-Banner_Registered%20Agent.png&w=1080&q=75)
Reserving a Name for Your LLC
If you don’t want to form your LLC right away, you can reserve a business name for 120 days with the Colorado Secretary of State by filing a Statement of Reservation of Name via the online access and paying a filing fee of $25. First, perform a Colorado business search and learn about business name rules to ensure you choose a name that meets state requirements.
Amending Certain Facts About Your LLC
Your business formation documents state certain facts about your Colorado business at the time it's formed. Over time, these facts may change. If they do, you'll need to file Articles of Amendment with the Colorado SOS via the integrated filing system for a filing fee of $25. You can do this yourself or have Bizee file the amendments on your behalf.
You may want to file Articles of Amendment when you:
Getting a Colorado Certificate of Compliance
Some organizations will request that you prove your LLC’s compliance with laws and tax requirements. If you need to prove you have met your commitments, you’ll need a Certificate of Good Standing from the Colorado Secretary of State. You can obtain one online from the SOS via their online portal, at no cost.
Bizee Can Obtain a Colorado Certificate of Existence (or Good Standing) on Your Behalf
Certificate of Good Standing Service![Certificate of Good Standing](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fs3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com%2Fbizee-website-assets%2FCTA-Banner_Certificate%20of%20Good%20Standing.png&w=1080&q=75)
The fees listed above detail many of the charges a standard LLC will be required to pay in Colorado. In some unusual circumstances, there may be other one-off, periodic or ad hoc fees not listed above.
Of course, your LLC will also probably need to pay self-employment, payroll, federal, state and sales taxes. More information about taxes can be found on the Colorado business tax page.
FAQs About Colorado LLC Fees
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