Start an LLC in Colorado — $50 State Fee and Only $10/Year to Maintain

Your Colorado LLC name must be unique among all businesses registered with the Colorado Secretary of State and must include a required designator. You can check name availability for free on the Colorado SOS website.

Colorado Naming Rules:

• Must include: "Limited Liability Company," "LLC," or "L.L.C."
• Cannot use: Words implying a government agency (e.g., "FBI," "State Department")
• Restricted words: "Bank," "Insurance," "University" require additional approval
• Must be distinguishable: From all existing Colorado business names in the SOS database

Every Colorado LLC must designate a registered agent — an individual or company with a physical Colorado street address — to receive legal documents, state notices, and official correspondence during normal business hours.

Who can be your registered agent?

• Yourself: Must have a physical Colorado address and be available during business hours
• A trusted individual: Any Colorado resident with a physical address
• A professional service: Like Brendat — keeps your personal address off public records

The Articles of Organization is the document that officially creates your Colorado LLC. Colorado's online filing system is one of the fastest in the country — most filings are processed within 1-2 business days.

What's included in Colorado Articles of Organization?

• LLC name and principal office address
• Registered agent name and Colorado address
• Management structure (member-managed or manager-managed)
• Organizer's name and signature
• Effective date (defaults to filing date)

Colorado does not legally require an operating agreement for LLCs, but it is strongly recommended — especially for multi-member LLCs. It establishes ownership, profit sharing, and management rules, and protects your liability shield if ever challenged.

Your operating agreement should cover:

• Ownership structure: Each member's percentage and capital contribution
• Profit distribution: How and when profits are divided
• Management: Who makes decisions and how voting works
• Member changes: Process for adding or removing members
• Dissolution: Steps to close the LLC if needed

An EIN is your LLC's federal tax ID — required to open a business bank account, hire employees, and file taxes. You apply through the IRS for free.

• US residents: Apply free online at IRS.gov — instant approval
• Non-US residents: Apply by fax using IRS Form SS-4 — 4–6 weeks
• Brendat handles this: Included in Standard and Premium packages

Colorado LLCs must file a Periodic Report every year with the Colorado Secretary of State to stay in good standing. Colorado's periodic report fee is just $10 — one of the lowest annual LLC fees in the entire country.

• Periodic report fee: $10/year
• Due date: Within the 3-month window starting on the first day of your LLC's anniversary month each year
• Filing: Online via Colorado SOS
• Late penalty: $50 penalty if not filed within the window
• Dissolution risk: LLCs that don't file are delinquent and eventually dissolved