Want to Start a Business in Colorado?

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This page is dedicated to the best resources for starting a business in Colorado.

Learn more about how to start a business in Colorado.

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Business Resources in Colorado

Find the best resources to help create your informal business structure (sole proprietorship or partnership), corporation (S corp or C corp), limited liability company (single-member LLC or multi-member LLC), or how to file a DBA in Colorado.

Use the following business resources in Colorado to learn how to choose the best LLC services, file the Articles of Organization, obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN), and decide whether you should be your own registered agent or if you should hire a third-party registered agent service.

Becoming an Entrepreneur in Colorado

Just Starting Out

Every Colorado business starts out with a great idea. To get inspiration, you can try our business idea generator that can suggest businesses for you based on your interests and lifestyle.

Once you've found the perfect idea, it's time to create a game plan for your business. This step helps lay a solid foundation for the future of your company. You can move on to planning out your business with our business plan generator or simply browse our selection of startup ideas. We also have several helpful guides for planning out your business:

Coming Up With a Name

One of the most important decisions you will make for your business is coming up with a name and then seeing if it is available in Colorado. We have several naming tools and guides to help you get started with finding the perfect name for your Colorado startup, small business, nonprofit or corporation.

Different Types of Business Formation

A business structure refers to how a business is legally organized. The type of business structure you choose to form your business with can affect how your company is regulated, taxed, and more. Because of this, choosing the best structure for your business is an important decision to make. Below are guides on the different business structures you can choose to form your company so you can learn how to form a business that works best for you.

Forming Your Colorado Business

Now that you’ve created a business plan, found a name and chose your Colorado business structure, it's time to form your business. This process might seem complicated, but it doesn't have to be. And if you want to save time and have someone else handle the paperwork, you can use one of our recommended services, like ZenBusiness, which will help to form your company for you or you can form it yourself using our helpful guides and tools.

LLC Checklist

This Colorado Checklist for Starting an LLC covers the necessary steps you need to take when you create your LLC.

Formation Necessities

Highly Recommended Services for Your Business

Depending on the type of business structure your choose and how large your business is, you may also want to consider using the following services for your Colorado startup:

Registered Agent

A Colorado registered agent is a person or business that sends and receives legal papers on behalf of your company. These documents include official correspondence like legal summons and state filing notices.

Colorado requires every business to nominate a registered agent when forming a small business. Your registered agent must be a Colorado resident or a corporation authorized to conduct business in that Colorado.

We also recommend hiring a professional registered agent service to provide you with peace of mind and help you stay compliant with the law.

DBA

Filing a “doing business as” (DBA) name, also known as a trade name, is an easy process that is achieved by registering a DBA with the State of Colorado.

Branding

You can probably think of a dozen different companies in Colorado whose brands play an important role in your daily or professional life. Maybe you only buy certain brands or prefer to buy your groceries at one supermarket chain over another. Your dedication to these companies is primarily a result of one thing: their branding. Our branding guides and tools will go over the importance of branding your small business and provide some tips for getting started.

Financing Your Colorado Business

Small business finance is the raising and managing of funds to finance and operate a new small business. This includes banking, small business accounting, building business credit, and raising funds for your business.

When planning your Colorado business, you should determine what types of business funding options your company will need and when. Whether you are starting a low-cost business or starting a high-growth startup, knowing when to get funding and what kind of funding you need is important.

Setting Up a Bank Account

Opening a business checking account is one of the first things you will need to do as a new business. Business banking is a fundamental asset protection requirement for every business and, depending on your needs, may include checking accounts, savings accounts, credit cards, and merchant accounts.

Every new and small business needs a business bank account to pay their business insurance, take care of payroll, collect money, and enroll with a merchant account to accept credit card payments.

Check out our guide on the Best Banks for Small Business for help finding a banking account for your business.

Getting a Business Credit Card

Small business credit cards are designed for professional use and provide a line of credit to small businesses while helping to maintain personal asset protection. It is crucial for small businesses to have a small business credit card.

Our guides will help you understand the importance of having a small business credit card and provide the steps for finding and applying for the best credit card for your business.

Finding Small Business Loans

Getting a small business loan is done by applying with a business lender, typically your bank or another lending institution, with the right documentation and your business plan.

A business loan can help to resolve cash flow problems, leverage growth opportunities, and even increase the value of a business. Making sure to plan for a loan ahead of time is extremely important, as is knowing the documentation needed by your lender when you do apply.

Small Business Financing for Female Entrepreneurs

Grants, loans, government contracts, investors, scholarships, advisors, tutorials — there are plenty of financial resources for female entrepreneurs and women leaders, and we’ll help you discover the best ones for you and your business.

Maintaining Your Small Business

Congratulations! Fewer than 14% of Americans have realized the dream of business ownership. To keep your Colorado business running, make sure you keep up with required government filings and maintain a clear record of all earnings and expenses.

Make Sure Your Business is Compliant

When you start a small business, you’ll need to determine if your business needs any licenses or permits to stay compliant.

Set Up Accounting and Bookkeeping

Having a business accountant will help you take advantage of tax benefits and potentially save you and your Colorado business a lot of money in taxes each year.

Finding a business accountant as soon as you start your business will ensure that you have the best advice from the very beginning.

Recommended: Hiring an accountant can save your company thousands of dollars in taxes each year. Get a free tax consultation with 1-800Accountant.

Set Up a Business Phone

Getting a business phone number is important for many businesses. Having a phone number for your customers to contact you with can go a long way in ensuring that your business is viewed as professional, trustworthy, and legitimate. 

There are also different business phone services and answering services that can ensure that you are able to answer more than one call simultaneously and that all of your customers feel heard. Check out our different phone tools and guides to help your Colorado business set up phone services.

Build a Business Website

With growing technology, more and more businesses are going online. We believe all companies need a website regardless of their industry or size to keep up with the times. 

So, how do you build a website? Luckily, technology has recently caught up with the massive demand for tools to simplify website creation. It’s never been easier to build your own website without the need for any web designer experience.

Our tools and guides provide an overview of the steps to build a website for your Colorado business as well as suggestions for which tools to use based on your business type and knowledge level.

Business Resources for Women

Starting your own business is no small feat; thankfully, there are many valuable resources dedicated to helping women entrepreneurs start and succeed. From woman-owned business certification to grants for female entrepreneurs, we’ll help you discover the women's business resources that will help you get the most out of your entrepreneurial journey.

Colorado Business Resources

Colorado Free University

In keeping with its Learning for Life motto, Colorado Free University provides valuable information on small business and entrepreneurial development. As an information hub, the Colorado Free University features new articles regularly in connection with small businesses.

Loveland Center for Business and Development

The Loveland Center for Business and Development fosters the entrepreneurship, innovation and growth of small businesses within the state of Colorado by providing counseling services and low-cost workshops. To start, the LCBD provides small business owners access to a wide range of local, state, and federal resources to get started, plus networking opportunities for further business growth.

Colorado SBDC

The Colorado Small Business Development Center is in charge of providing any and all kinds of business resources to the small business community in Colorado. It provides a comprehensive list of free services, tools, and resources to small businesses. One-on-one consultations, business workshops and events, special events, and other business-related resources are scheduled regularly.

ColoradoBIZ

ColoradoBIZ is an online magazine for the Colorado business community. It features a host of articles and how-to’s about business and everything related to business. From management and leadership hacks, sales tips, finance articles, to work-life balance, and more, the ColoradoBIZ is an excellent source of information.

Colorado Business Roundtable (COBRT)

Colorado Business Roundtable (COBRT) is a premier business organization that lobbies for proactive business strategies that foster business development and reinforce economic progress. In turn, this helps businesses in the Colorado region to grow and develop. With partnerships of different organizations and agencies, it is the COBRT’s goal to strengthen organizations and build business relationships.

Mi Casa Resource Center

The Mi Casa Resource Center is one of Colorado’s oldest and biggest Latino-functioning non-profit organization. It is Mi Casa’s goal to aid in the economic success of Latinos in Colorado through various educational, professional and entrepreneurial opportunities. Included in providing entrepreneurial opportunities is providing career and business training for business ownership.

Arvada Chamber of Commerce

The Arvada Chamber of Commerce under the Colorado Chamber of Commerce is a government agency that provides business owners with a list of government and private agencies that can assist startups and new businesses. Highly recommended!

SBA.com

SBA.com is a business resource that contains information on the how-to’s of starting a business in Colorado. Entrepreneurs can read their guide on tax registration, business licenses, local permits, incorporation filing, filing a DBA and withholding income taxes.

Delta County Libraries

Delta County Libraries is a virtual library that stores books to online databases. The library has numerous resources accessible to those who are starting and running a small business. To meet the business needs of entrepreneurs, Delta County Library has 24-hour wireless access, meeting spaces, iPads and digital projectors, one-on-one technology help by appointment, ESL and GED classes, and a lot more.

Denver South Economic Development Partnership

The Denver South Economic Development Partnership supports small businesses by assisting them as they start, manage and grow their business. The agency has partnered with government agencies to meet the business needs of Colorado small business owners. Aside from helping entrepreneurs start a business, they also aid in real estate search and evaluation, taxes and regulations and more.

The Business Incubator Center

The Business Incubator Center aids in the startup, growth, and long-term development of businesses in the Mesa County and its surrounding regions through the provision of programs and events that foster sound business decisions and affirmative influence. The Business Incubator Center gives low-cost classes, coaching, and workshops, small business financing, space for lease and affiliate space, and more to entrepreneurs looking to get started with their business.

Rocky Mountain Innovation Partners

Rocky Mountain Innovation Partners offers a wide range of services that assist entrepreneurs fast-track their small businesses. From product development, business planning, sales and business development, financing forecasting, executive mentoring, funding, marketing, public relations, and so on; the Rocky Mountain Innovation Partners can help you.

Colorado Innovative Network (COIN)

Colorado Innovative Network establishes a network of global leaders that push for the innovation ecosystem, develop companies, and generate jobs. COIN brings entrepreneurs an excellent pool of great people who can help with pushing for more opportunities for innovation and access to tons of resources.

The Commons

The Commons on Champa gathers a diverse community of innovators and business builders in one place where great ideas are born, learned, and shared to drive each other forward. At The Commons, you can find basically anything and everything to jumpstart your startup. From community rooms to a state-of-the-art lounge, to various programs, events, and resources, The Commons is the perfect place to start your dream venture.

Peak Venture Group

Peak Venture Group strives to cultivate and encourage a community of innovative business-minded individuals in the region of Colorado Springs. Through various mentoring, network, and educational programs, Peak Venture Group aims to fuel the entrepreneurial spirit. In addition, it also highly encourages the exchange of information and resources for businesses to grow together.

Startup Grind Denver

Startup Grind Denver helps entrepreneurs connect to other entrepreneurs so that they can find professional inspiration to innovate and create. Regular startup mixers and fireside chat interviews are scheduled on a monthly basis where entrepreneurs can network and find opportunities to establish meaningful connections.

Techstars

The Techstars accelerator program in Boulder is one of the best in the state, and has produced many successful startups in Boulder. Techstars Boulder is the perfect avenue where you can get your venture started by joining Techstars’ vibrant community of startup entrepreneurs.

Mergelane

A startup accelerator that’s all about women empowerment, Mergelane targets emerging small businesses with at least one woman in a leader position to qualify for the accelerator program. It is Mergelane’s goal to boost and invest in startup companies that are led by exceptional women. From mentor programs to events and workshops, Mergelane provides the perfect breeding ground of women-run businesses.

Innovation Pavilion

As a leading incubator program, the Innovation Pavilion provides a vast list of professional services that you can tap into when starting a business. From mentoring programs to the necessary workspace or suite to get started, Innovation Pavilion can bring all these to you. The Innovation Pavilion also has a lineup of programs, internships, and skills training.

Epicentral Coworking

Epicenter aims to be the local epicenter of business in the town of Colorado Springs and across Colorado. The coworking space promotes economic development by supporting professionals and entrepreneurs, helping them embrace failure and celebrate success. They have 24/7 access, free internet, electricity and complete office amenities and equipment.

Industry

Industry is a creative workspace that houses many tenants, mid-sized businesses, sole proprietors, freelancers, entrepreneurs and boutique firms. It is a place where like-minded people and a mix of professionals work together, bringing about productivity and creativity. The Industry also provides their clients with the best office facilities and supplies.

Shift Workspaces

Shift Workspaces is a coworking space that provides business owners, entrepreneurs, freelancers and other professionals with the best amenities such as office spaces, desks, meeting rooms, event spaces and a lot more. But more than this, shift workspaces nurtures camaraderie, creativity and collaborative working environment; where a mix of professionals can help and support each other in making new ideas work.

Peak Startup

Peak Startup is a creative community for entrepreneurs where they can meet like-minded innovative professionals and businesses. The working space provides mentoring, connecting their clients to experienced entrepreneurs/mentors across the country. They also host educational events and entrepreneur evenings that can benefit their clients in business and in life.

Elevate

Elevate is a coworking space for creators, entrepreneurs, risk takers, freelancers and visionaries who want to share space and share ideas with other creative minds to make Colorado a better place. The coworking space has the best office amenities, facilities and equipment. They also provide clients with affordable membership fees fit for any budget.

Colorado Enterprise Fund

Colorado Enterprise Fund is a non-profit lender offering small business loans of up to $500,000 for startups and existing businesses. Since its creation in 1976, the Colorado Enterprise Fund has financed over 1,700 businesses. They also practice responsible business lending, getting to know you during the loan process and providing you one-on-one business counseling.

Rocky Mountain Microfinance Institute

Rocky Mountain Microfinance Institute provides access to low-risk, flexible small microloans necessary to start and grow a business. Aside from this, the RMMFI also provides a systems-based approach to helping startup entrepreneurs succeed through learning and coaching support. The process-driven programs that RMMFI promotes value hard work, as well as opportunity for all.

Region 10

Region 10 features the Business Loan Fund (BLF) that has provided 250 small businesses in eighteen communities and six counties in the western part of Colorado with more than $9M in business loans. Business loans can range from $5,000 up to $250,000 or even more featuring fixed rates and a maximum 10-year loan term.

SmallBizLending.org

SmallBizLending.org is a collaboration of private, public and non-profit lending institutions to provide small business entrepreneurs in Colorado with the required resources to find the necessary funding solutions to your business. From business loans, lines of credit, microlending solutions, and other financing options; the SmallBizLending.org provides a wealth of information when it comes to financing your business’ capital.

Rocky Mountain Venture Capital

Rocky Mountain Venture Capital is a capital venture organization that attracts financing from various venture firms. The Rocky Mountain Venture Capital also includes programs and events that foster for the growth and progress of businesses that include information discussions, networking events, and more.

SCORE

The US SCORE is the largest network of business experts and professionals, coming together to provide startup and seasoned small business entrepreneurs with the right mentoring, counseling, and workshops to get you through the different phases of starting a business. With SCORE, you get customized one-on-one counseling and regular business training to further your learning as an entrepreneur.

SBDC

The Small Business District Center has the largest nationwide network of associations that provide a wealth of opportunities for small businesses to get the best expert business advice and counseling from experienced and highly qualified professionals in their respective fields. As well, SBDC offers no-cost or low-cost workshops and business training for startup entrepreneurs who are in need of the proper guidance when it comes to starting their venture.

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