- Filing fee
- $50
- Periodic Report
- $25
- First-year gov. cost
- $50
- Publication
- Not required
The steps, in order
Pick a name Colorado will accept
Restricted words require licensing.
Search existing Colorado business names before you commit. Colorado naming rules in detail.
Appoint a registered agent
A registered agent with a physical Colorado address is required.
You can serve as your own agent, but your address will be public. Compare Colorado registered agent options.
File the Articles of Organization
Submit it to the Colorado Secretary of State through the official filing portal and pay $50. Colorado operates a strictly paperless system; this document can only be filed online.
Processing: online Essentially immediately; by mail N/A. Expedite: No expedited tiers because there is no paper backlog..
Write an operating agreement
Not filed.
Get an EIN from the IRS
An Employer Identification Number is free from IRS.gov. You'll need it for a business bank account and, if you hire, for payroll.
Stay in good standing
File the Periodic Report ($25), due Last day of the second month following the LLC's anniversary month.. $50 late fee Colorado report deadlines.
Every Colorado LLC fee
| Filing | State fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization | $50 | Colorado operates a strictly paperless system; this document can only be filed online. |
| Periodic Report | $25 | annual, Last day of the second month following the LLC's anniversary month. |
| Name reservation (optional) | $25 | 120 days |
| Change of registered agent | $10 | Fee to change the address is $10. |
| Amendment | $25 | |
| Certificate of good standing | $0 | |
| Statement of Foreign Entity Authority | $100 | For LLCs formed in another state |
| Statement of Dissolution | $10 | |
| DBA / assumed name | $20 registration, $10 annual renewal | state |
How Colorado compares nationally
- Colorado's filing fee of $50 is the 4th lowest of 51 jurisdictions (median $104).
- Colorado's first-year government cost of $50 is the 4th lowest of 51 jurisdictions (median $125).
- Colorado's yearly cost after that of $25 is the 18th lowest of 51 jurisdictions (median $45).
See every state side by side in our LLC cost by state table.
File it yourself or use a service?
Filing directly with the Colorado Secretary of State costs $50 and nothing else, but you'll need a registered agent with a Colorado street address, and that address goes on the public record. A formation service files for you and acts as your agent. Here's what that adds over three years, before Colorado's own fees:
| Route | Year one with Colorado fee | 3-year service fees |
|---|---|---|
| File yourself, be your own agent | $50 | $0 |
| Northwest | $89 | $289 |
| Bizee Basic | $50 | $298 |
Bizee vs Northwest, compared · All LLC services ranked
State taxes to plan for
Does not assess a franchise tax or privilege tax on standard LLCs. Business income is subject to competitive flat personal and corporate income tax rates of 4.40%.
What's different about Colorado
- Fully paperless; the SOS will not accept paper mail for standard LLC formations.
- Entities delinquent for five or more years face intense security hurdles for reinstatement, requiring affidavits and government-issued photo IDs.
- Certificates of good standing and certified copies are provided entirely for free.
More Colorado LLC guides
Colorado LLC questions
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Colorado?
The Colorado Secretary of State charges $50 to file the Articles of Organization. Counting mandatory first-year items, expect about $50 in government fees ($50 for the first year.).
How long does it take to form an LLC in Colorado?
Online: Essentially immediately. By mail: N/A. Expedited: No expedited tiers because there is no paper backlog..
Does a Colorado LLC have to file an annual report?
Yes. Colorado requires the Periodic Report, which costs $25, filed annual. Due: Last day of the second month following the LLC's anniversary month.. $50 late fee
Can I be my own registered agent in Colorado?
Yes. A registered agent with a physical Colorado address is required. Your agent's address becomes public record.
Does Colorado require publishing a notice for a new LLC?
No. Colorado has no newspaper publication requirement for LLCs, based on our latest check.
Is an operating agreement required in Colorado?
Not filed.
What taxes does a Colorado LLC pay to the state?
Does not assess a franchise tax or privilege tax on standard LLCs. Business income is subject to competitive flat personal and corporate income tax rates of 4.40%.
Sources and verification
Last checked against official state sources on . States change fees with little notice, so confirm on the filing portal before you pay. How we verify.