Colorado LLC Cost

We’ve compiled the most common fees so you know exactly what to expect when starting your Colorado LLC.

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Start Your LLC in Colorado

FAQs on how to determine Colorado LLC costs

  • To set up your Colorado LLC, the most important step will be to file your Articles of Organization. This is technically all that’s required to form your business entity. However, there are a number of other steps you can take to better ensure that you have a legally compliant and successful business moving forward. 

    For just $0, we can help you file your Colorado LLC formation documents and get your business set up. To learn more about how to form your Colorado LLC and what we can do to help, you can use our convenient Colorado LLC Formation Service

  • Notably, the Articles of Organization filing fee isn’t the only cost to be aware of. Here are some of the most common costs and fees that may come up in the course of owning and operating your Colorado LLC.

    Colorado LLC Filing Fee

    $50: All Colorado LLCs must file this form and pay the fee to legally operate within the state.

    Statement of Reservation of Name

    $25: Sometimes, you may have a great business name in mind, but you’re not quite ready to file your Articles of Organization. Fortunately, Colorado allows you to file a Statement of Reservation of Name to place your desired name on hold for 120 days. Doing so costs only $25.

    Certificate of Good Standing

    Free: At some point, your business may need to obtain a Certificate of Good Standing. This is a document that certifies that a particular business entity has met all statutory filing requirements and is legally authorized to conduct business in the state.

    You might end up needing a Certificate of Good Standing to:

    • Open business bank accounts
    • Secure funding
    • Conduct business outside of Colorado

    Some states require a fee to obtain a Certificate of Good Standing. However, obtaining one in Colorado is free.

  • Here are a few more Colorado LLC fees to keep an eye out for.

    Expedited Processing

    Most business documents can be filed electronically with immediate processing upon submission. However, for paper filings that can’t be filed online, you can pay an additional fee to expedite the process. This expedited service fee is $150 and allows for processing within three business days.

    Certificate of Amendment to Articles of Organization

    No business can see the future when forming their LLC entity. Thus, it’s not at all uncommon for changes to arise in the course of running a business. When such changes do become necessary, be sure to update your business information accordingly.

    Fortunately, the process of making these changes is often as simple as filing an Amended Articles of Organization with the state. The filing fee to amend your Articles of Organization is $25.

    Business Licensing

    Depending on the type of business you plan to operate, you may also need to obtain certain business licenses and permits. Examples of business licenses and permits include:

    • Zoning permits
    • Liquor licenses
    • Commercial drivers licenses
    • Sales & Use Tax licenses

    Licenses, permits, and registrations can be industry-specific. They can also vary depending on the particular cities or counties where you plan to operate. Keeping up with company licensure and permitting requirements can feel overwhelming at times.

    Fortunately, we’re here to help. With our partners at Avalara, we can provide you with a Business License Report to help determine what types of licenses, permits, and registrations are applicable to your business operations.

    For just $0, we can form your Colorado LLC for you in just minutes. No LegalZoom promo code required: Pay just $0 plus filing fees for fast LLC formation in Colorado. 

  • Yes, there are penalties for paying your filing fees late. These penalties can include: 

    • Late fees
    • Interest charges
    • Other sanctions

    Thus, it’s imperative that you keep up with all applicable dates and deadlines to prevent these types of negative consequences for your business.

  • One of the most damaging penalties for failure to make timely filings and payments is the administrative dissolution of your company. When this happens, your LLC can no longer legally operate within the state until you bring it back into compliance. This can be extremely harmful to your business and should be avoided if at all possible.

    Keeping up with your filing deadlines can feel tedious, especially with everything else you have on your plate. Let us help take some of the stress off of your shoulders. With our Worry-Free Compliance Service, you can more easily stay on track and keep your business legally compliant with the state. 

  • All business filings for your Colorado LLC must be submitted to the Colorado Secretary of State. 

  • Typically, the largest fee you’ll have to pay is the $50 filing fee for your Articles of Organization. However, if there are any paper documents that you need to file that qualify for expedited processing, you’ll pay a $150 fee for the faster processing timeframe.

  • The Colorado Secretary of State accepts business filings fees by credit card, debit card, or a prepaid account. If paying by credit card, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover are all accepted.

How do I form my LLC in Colorado?

1. Name your LLC

Now that you know what fees to expect, it’s time to dive into more detail on how to form your Colorado LLC. 

One of the first things you’ll want to do is select a name for the business entity. However, keep in mind that any name you choose for your LLC must meet the minimum state naming requirements. For example, your business name must: 

  • Contain the term or abbreviation “limited liability company,” “ltd. liability company,” “limited liability co.,” “ltd. liability co.,” “limited,” “llc,” “l.l.c.,” or “ltd.”
  • Be distinguishable from the name of any other entity currently operating or reserved within the state
  • Not contain any term that would violate any statute of the State of Colorado

Not sure what name to choose for your business? Use our Business Name Checker and Business Name Reservation Service to help you find and reserve the perfect name for your LLC today. 

2. Select a Registered Agent

Another important thing to determine is who to designate as registered agent for your LLC. 

A registered agent is an individual or entity that acts as the official point of contact within the state to receive service of process and legal and state documents on behalf of your business. All LLCs operating within the state must have a registered agent on file with the Secretary of State. And while this can be an owner or manager of the LLC, it doesn’t have to be. 

Due to the importance of this position, no matter who you appoint, it’s crucial that you select someone reliable and trustworthy. 

If you don’t have anyone in mind, use our registered agent service to find a qualified and reputable registered agent for your business.  

3. File Your LLC’s Articles of Organization

Finally, you’re ready to file your LLC Articles of Organization. Colorado only allows online filings for submission of the Articles of Organization through the Secretary of State business portal. 

4. Create an Operating Agreement

Even after submitting your Articles of Organization, there may be other steps you’ll want to take. For example, it’s highly advisable to create an Operating Agreement for your LLC. 

An Operating Agreement is a legal document that governs important information about the business regarding:

  • Rights and duties of the LLC owners
  • Relationship between the LLC entity and its owners
  • Voting rights and procedures
  • Management of the company
  • Distribution of profits and losses 
  • Dissolution of the LLC

The State of Colorado doesn’t require LLCs to create or file an Operating Agreement to be legally compliant. Still, having one in place for your business is often a great idea and can help provide clarity and prevent disputes in the future. If your LLC doesn’t have an Operating Agreement, it will instead be governed by the default LLC rules of the state. Unfortunately, these rules may not be desirable for your company.

If you want to create an Operating Agreement, we can help you get started with our Operating Agreement Template.

5. Get an EIN

Additionally, you may want to obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) for your LLC. 

An EIN is a tax identification number for your LLC that you can use to file taxes for your business entity. However, an EIN may also be necessary to: 

  • Open business bank accounts
  • Obtain business insurance
  • Apply for business credit cards
  • Obtain business licenses and permits

We can help you obtain an EIN from the IRS in minutes with our Employer ID Number Service

Check Colorado Annual Requirements

After you’ve formed your LLC, the work still doesn’t end there. Your business must also comply with its annual reporting requirements. 

Specifically, all business entities in Colorado must file a Periodic Report each year. This is necessary to keep the state apprised of any updates or changes to your business information. 

Even if you don’t need to make any changes, you must still file your Periodic Report each year to avoid falling out of compliance. The Periodic Report filing fee is $10. 

Stay Legally Compliant

Keeping up with these requirements can feel complicated. But doing so is a necessary part of running a successful and long-lasting business. 

If you need assistance staying on top of all of these crucial dates and deadlines, we want to help. That’s why we’ve made it our mission to help entrepreneurs just like you as they start, manage, and grow their businesses. 

Use our Worry-Free Compliance Service, which also includes two annual amendments, and see how we can help you stay legally compliant throughout your company’s lifecycle.

We can help!

Running a business is no walk in the park, but we’ll be right there with you to make things feel as simple and smooth as possible. No matter what your business needs, we have the tools and resources to help you along the way.

Disclaimer: The content on this page is for information purposes only, and does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. If you have specific questions about any of these topics, seek the counsel of a licensed professional.

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