LLC Cost in Colorado

Last Updated: By TRUiC Team


Colorado LLCs are relatively inexpensive — especially when you consider that an LLC can protect your personal assets and help grow your business. That’s why forming an LLC is the best choice for most small businesses. 

The cost to form an LLC in Colorado is $50. This covers the primary cost of officially registering your LLC with the state.

Read our LLC Cost in Colorado guide below to learn more about LLC costs and other fees associated with all Colorado businesses.

Woman smiling and drinking coffee after forming an LLC.

Save Time with a Professional Service:

You can form an LLC yourself and save a little money or use a professional service and save a lot of time. 

Four point six out of five stars. Northwest ($29 plus state fees)

How Much Is an LLC in Colorado?

Colorado LLC Filing Fee: $50

To form an LLC in Colorado, you'll need to file the Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State. The Colorado Secretary of State charges a $50 fee to process and record this document. Only online filings are available.

You can complete this process yourself with our How to Start an LLC guide or use an LLC formation service.

Registered Agent Fee

Every Colorado LLC must appoint a registered agent. Your Colorado registered agent must be a resident of Colorado and must be available to receive service of process during normal business hours at a designated street address.

You can be your own registered agent in Colorado, or you can use a registered agent service for a minimal cost.

Recommended: Get free registered agent services for one year when you form an LLC with Northwest.

Colorado Periodic Report Fee: $10

LLCs are required by law to submit a periodic report each year to the Secretary of State, which can only be filed online. The filing fee is $10.

Cost to Register a Foreign LLC in Colorado: $100

LLCs registered in another state that want to expand into the state of Colorado must register as a foreign LLC in Colorado.

You can register a foreign LLC in Colorado by filing a Statement of Foreign Entity Authority or a True Name Registration, which gives an LLC the authority to transact business in Colorado. A True Name Registration will also restrict others from using your name

The cost for registering a Colorado foreign LLC online is $100.

Business Licenses and Permits

Your business might need federal, state, and local permits/licenses to legally operate in Colorado, depending on your industry and geographical location. This is true whether you form an LLC or any other type of business structure.

Learn more about state and local licensing in our Colorado business license guide.

Other Colorado Business Filing Fees

There are fees associated with other, optional business filings in Colorado.

‘Doing Business As’ (DBA) Name

When an LLC is registered with the state, the LLC’s name is also officially registered. Some business owners choose to also file for a DBA name, known as a trade name in Colorado.

You can file for a trade name with the Colorado Secretary of State online and pay the $20 filing fee to create a name other than your legal LLC business name, which is effective for one year. The renewal fee is $5. 

Learn more in our Colorado DBA guide.

Certified Document Copies 

You can get certified copies of your Colorado business documents by submitting a Business Services Request Form to the Secretary of State. The copy service is free. 

Certificate of Good Standing

A Certificate of Good Standing can be requested for any Colorado business entity in good standing by searching for their business online and selecting “Get a certificate of good standing” from the list of options on the business’s “Summary” page. There is no fee.

A Certificate of Good Standing is often required by banks and lenders.

Recommended: Learn more about LLC formation services in our Best LLC Services review.

How to Start an LLC in Colorado

Forming an LLC yourself is easy; just follow the five steps below.

Five Basic Steps to Start an LLC in Colorado

Step 1: Name Your Colorado LLC

Step 2: Choose a Registered Agent

Step 3: File the Articles of Organization

Step 4: Create an Operating Agreement

Step 5: Get an EIN 

Step 1: Name Your Colorado LLC

When you name your Colorado LLC, you’ll need to choose a name that:

  1. Is available for use in the state of Colorado
  2. Meets Colorado naming requirements
  3. Is available as a web domain

Check web domain (URL) availability with GoDaddy:

Find a Domain Now

Not sure what to name your business? Check out our free LLC name generator.

Step 2: Choose a Registered Agent

Colorado LLCs are required to appoint a registered agent to receive service of process. Business owners can hire a registered agent service or appoint any Colorado resident that is 18 years or older and is available during normal business hours at a specified address to receive service of process.

Recommended: Northwest offers one full year of registered agent services with their $29 (plus state fees) LLC formation package.

Step 3: File a Colorado Articles of Organization

To form an LLC in Colorado, you must file Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State. This can only be done online

For a closer look at the filing process, check out our Colorado Articles of Organization guide.

Step 4: Create an LLC Operating Agreement

Operating agreements are not required for Colorado LLCs, but it’s a good practice to have one.

An operating agreement outlines the ownership and operating procedures of an LLC, ensuring that all members are on the same page and reducing the risk of conflict down the line.

Learn more in our Colorado LLC Operating Agreement guide.

Step 5: Get an EIN

An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a nine-digit number issued by the IRS to identify businesses for tax purposes. Think of an EIN as a Social Security number for your LLC.

To learn how to get an EIN for free, visit our How to Get an EIN Number guide.

LLC Cost in Colorado FAQ

What is the cheapest way to start an LLC in Colorado?

The cheapest way to start an LLC in Colorado is to handle the registration process individually. In order to do this, you will need to follow these steps:

  1. Name your LLC
  2. Choose a registered agent: This can be a registered agent service or an individual.
  3. File the Colorado Articles of Organization: The filing fee for this is $50.
  4. Create an LLC operating agreement: This is usually not a legal requirement, but it is highly recommended.
  5. Get an EIN: This is basically your business’s Social Security number (SSN).

How much does an LLC cost per year in Colorado?

Colorado LLCs are required by law to submit a periodic report each year to the Secretary of State. The filing fee is $10.

For a more in-depth analysis, see our How Much Does an LLC Cost? article. 

How much does an LLC license cost in Colorado?

An LLC is not a business license, but a business entity. Forming an LLC in Colorado includes a filing fee of $50.

An annual periodic report for a filing fee of $10 is also required. 

You may be required to pay additional fees if you choose to pay for a  registered agent service, an LLC formation service, or an LLC attorney.

See our How to Start an LLC in Colorado for more information on registering your business as an LLC.

Do LLCs pay income taxes in Colorado?

LLCs are a “pass-through” tax entity. This means that the LLCs profits are “passed through” directly to its owner(s), who then pay income taxes independently. 

This is advantageous compared to a corporation’s tax structure because it means that LLC members are not taxed twice. 

Having said that, readers should keep in mind that LLCs are very flexible when it comes to how they can be taxed, and — depending on the specifics — they can choose to be taxed as a pass-through entity, a C corp, and an S corp. 

For more information, see our How Is an LLC Taxed guide. 

What are the tax benefits of an LLC?

The tax benefits of an LLC will depend on how you choose to be taxed, as well as on whether you are operating as a single or multi-member LLC. 

Generally speaking, LLCs can choose to be taxed in several different ways, including:

  • As a sole proprietorship or general partnership
  • As a C corporation
  • As an S corporation

See our Single-Member LLC Taxes guide for a detailed overview of the tax benefits of having an LLC as a small business. 

Do I need to open a business bank account for my LLC?

Even though you do not necessarily “need” to open a bank account for your LLC, this is generally highly recommended for several reasons. 

For one, having a separate bank account can allow you to maintain your LLC’s corporate veil — meaning that you will not risk losing your limited personal liability under the law. A business bank account also offers financial benefits, including the ability to build business credit more quickly and access to larger business loans. 

Interested in opening a business bank account? See our review of the best banks for startups in 2024.