Before you form a corporation, you’ll need to complete a business name search with the Colorado Name Availability Search tool to check if your corporation name is available.
We'll show you how to check corporation name availability in Colorado in this guide.
Recommended: You’ll want to secure your website domain name as soon as possible. Check GoDaddy to make sure it’s available.
Colorado Corporation Name Search
The Colorado Secretary of State requires all business names to be distinguishable from other business entities in the state. So, you’ll want to search and make sure no other businesses in the state are already using your name.
It is also useful to see if your corporation name is available as a web domain (URL).
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How to Search Available Colorado Corporation Names
Once you know your corporation name meets Colorado business name guidelines, make sure it’s available by using the Colorado Name Availability Search tool.
Want to learn more about corporations? Check out our What Is a Corporation guide to get started.
How to Check Available Domain Names
When deciding on a name for your corporation, you should make sure that a similar or exact domain name is available. A matching URL will help potential customers find your corporation faster.
How to Register a Corporation Name in Colorado
Register Your Name
A corporation name is officially registered when you file your Colorado Articles of Incorporation. You can hire a professional service to form a corporation for you or start a corporation yourself.
Ready to register your corporation name? Use our Form a Corporation guide to get started.
If you want to register a DBA in Colorado, known as a trade name, that’s a separate process that requires filing a separate form with the Secretary of State.
Reserve Your Name
While not required, you have the option to reserve your corporation name in Colorado for up to 120 days before you register it. This prevents other businesses from registering your name until you are ready to register it yourself.
Name reservations can be filed online with the Colorado Secretary of State. The filing fee is $25.
Need Help Forming Your Corporation? ZenBusiness will get you started.
Colorado Corporation Name Requirements
Key Guidelines
Colorado has official requirements for its corporation names.
The name must contain one of the following terms or abbreviations: corporation, incorporated, company, limited, corp., inc., co., or ltd.
There are also restricted words, such as “FBI” or “Treasury,” that you cannot use in order to keep your LLC from sounding like an official institution.
Colorado corporation names also cannot contain any term that would violate any Colorado state law. For example, your business name cannot include obscenities or references to illegal activities.
For more information, check out the Colorado state statute on corporation names.
Distinguishability
Your name must be distinguishable from all other Colorado business names. In Colorado, a distinguishable name is one that is substantively different from all other existing or reserved business names in the state.
In addition to using different words, the following differences will make a name distinguishable in Colorado:
- Use of articles (e.g., the, a)
- Business type identifiers (e.g., LLC and Inc are considered distinguishable)
The following differences do NOT make a name distinguishable in Colorado:
- Periods (.), commas (,), underscores ( _ ), apostrophes (‘) and inverted apostrophes (`)
- Whether the letters are uppercase or lowercase
If your corporation name isn’t distinguishable, your Articles of Incorporation filing will likely be rejected.
What if my corporation name is already taken? Our AI-powered corporation name generator will give you thousands of new ideas.
For a list of brainstorming tips, check out our guide to naming your business.
Colorado Corporation Name Search FAQ
How do I check if a corporation name is taken in Colorado?
You can use the Colorado Name Availability Search tool to see if your business name is available.
Learn more about business entity name availability in the Colorado Corporation Name Search section.
Should I name my corporation after myself?
While there’s no rule against naming a corporation after yourself, most experts advise against doing this.
One of the benefits of starting a corporation is the ability to choose a different name for your business, which can make it sound more professional.
To explore other naming options, use our free AI-powered business name generator.
What words can’t be used in a Colorado corporation name?
Business names generally can’t include words that imply the company is a banking or financial institution or that it’s affiliated with a local, state, or federal government agency.
Additionally, Colorado corporation names cannot contain any term that would violate any Colorado state law. For example, your business name cannot include obscenities or references to illegal activities.
Learn more about corporation naming requirements in the Colorado Corporation Name Requirements section.
Should I use a business name generator?
If you’re having trouble choosing a name for your corporation, a corporation name generator can help you come up with some ideas.
Do I have to include ‘corporation’ in my name?
Colorado corporation names must contain one of the following terms or abbreviations: corporation, incorporated, company, limited, corp., inc., co., or ltd.
Learn more about corporation naming requirements in the Colorado Corporation Name Requirements section.
Do I need to renew my business name in Colorado?
Colorado doesn't require corporations to renew their name.
Can my business name be different from my corporation name in Colorado?
Some companies choose to operate under a name that’s different from their legal name. This can either be called a “doing business as” (DBA) name or trade name in Colorado.
In Colorado, trade names for corporations are filed with the Secretary of State.
Learn more about trade names with our Colorado DBA guide.
Does my corporation need a DBA name?
Your corporation doesn’t need a DBA name unless it plans to do business under a name other than its legal name. Learn more with our Colorado DBA guide.