Before you form an LLC, register a trade name, or start a corporation, you’ll need to complete a business name search with the Colorado Name Availability Search tool to see if your name is unique.
In our Colorado Business Name Search guide, we’ll show you exactly how to check LLC name availability in Colorado.
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Colorado LLC Name Search
The Colorado Secretary of State requires all business names to be distinguishable from other business entities in the state.
It’s also important to search for a matching domain name (URL).
How to Search Available LLC Names
You can check your business name availability by searching the Colorado Name Availability Search online database.
Recommended: If you don’t have a business name yet or find that yours is taken, use our LLC Name Generator.
How to Check Available Domain Names
When choosing a business name you’ll need to find out whether or not a good web domain name is available. Having a URL that clearly matches your business name is important. This small step can make a big difference in how prospective customers find your business.
The best way to determine if your desired URL is available is to search for it using your preferred domain registry, such as GoDaddy.
How to Register Your Business Name
Register Your Name
An LLC name is officially registered when you file your LLC application documents and form an LLC.
Ready to register your LLC name? Use our Colorado LLC guide to get started.
Registering a DBA in Colorado (also known as a trade name) is a separate process that requires filing with the Secretary of State.
Reserve Your Name
You can optionally reserve your LLC name in Colorado for up to 120 days before you officially register it. This prevents other businesses from registering your name until you have the opportunity to register it yourself.
Name reservations can be filed online with the Colorado Secretary of State. The filing fee is $25.
Colorado Naming Requirements
Some key guidelines for Colorado LLC names include:
- Your name must include “limited liability company”, “ltd. liability company”, “limited liability co.”, “ltd. liability co.”, “limited”, “l.l.c.”, “llc”, or “ltd.”
- Your name must be distinguishable from any existing business in the state. This includes Colorado reserved names.
Keep an eye out for restricted words. These words, such as “FBI” or “Treasury,” are often restricted to keep your LLC from sounding like an official institution.
Colorado also has the following restrictions for LLC names:
- Your name cannot contain any term that would violate any Colorado state law (e.g., obscenities, references to illegal activities, etc.).
For more information, check out Colorado’s official state statutes.
Distinguishability
It is important that your name be distinguishable from all other business names. In Colorado, a distinguishable name is one that is substantively different from all other existing or reserved business names in the state.
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
Failure to use a distinguishable name could result in your formation filing being rejected.
Colorado LLC Name Search FAQ
How do I check if an LLC 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 How to Search Available LLC Names section.
Should I name my LLC after myself?
While there’s no rule against naming an LLC after yourself, most experts advise against doing this.
One of the benefits of starting an LLC is the ability to choose a different name for your business, which can make it sound more professional.
To explore other naming options, use your free AI-powered LLC Name Generator.
What words can’t be used in a Colorado LLC 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 LLC names cannot contain any term that would violate any Colorado state law (e.g., obscenities, references to illegal activities, etc.).
Learn more about LLC naming requirements in the Colorado Naming Requirements section.
Should I use an LLC name generator?
If you’re having trouble choosing a name for your LLC, an LLC name generator can help you come up with some ideas.
What is a brand name?
A brand name is a name a company gives to a product or line of products. It can be the same as the company’s name or something different.
Learn more about branding with your business entity name with our How to Name an LLC guide.
Do I have to include LLC in my name?
Yes. Colorado requires that its LLCs use “Limited Liability Company” or one of its abbreviations (e.g., LLC or L.L.C.) in their legal name.
Learn more about LLC naming requirements in the Colorado Naming 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 LLC 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 a trade name in Colorado.
In Colorado, LLC trade names are filed with the Secretary of State.
Learn more about trade names with our Colorado DBA guide.
Does my LLC need a DBA name?
Your LLC doesn’t need a DBA name unless it plans to do business under a name other than its legal name. Learn more about Colorado DBAs by reading our guide to filing for a DBA and selecting Colorado from the dropdown menu.