How to Start an LLC in Colorado: A Step-by-Step Guide

In 2024, over 230,000 LLCs were active in Colorado, making it one of the most popular states for entrepreneurs to launch new ventures. 

Colorado offers a streamlined, 100% online LLC formation process and a business-friendly environment with minimal regulatory red tape.

Although the state’s temporary $1 LLC filing fee expired at the end of 2024, the new 2025 fee is still just $50, making Colorado one of the most affordable and accessible states for forming an LLC.

But simplicity doesn’t mean you can skip the fine print. Many founders underestimate what’s required to keep an LLC compliant after formation.

Enter doola: a Business-in-a-Box™solution that helps you start your Colorado LLC and stay compliant, all in one place. 

Unlike DIY platforms that leave you on your own once your LLC is formed, we stick with you for the long haul.

Let’s walk through everything you need to start an LLC in Colorado in 2025, and why founders from over 175+ countries trust us to help them do it right, from day one.

TL;DR: Key Steps and Costs

Step	Cost	Time to Complete	Pro Tip
Name Search	$0	10min	Check domains/USPTO
Registered Agent	$0–$149/yr	10min	Consider privacy
Filing	$50	Same/next day	Online only
EIN	$0	15 min to 2 weeks	Non-U.S. eligible
Compliance	$10+	Ongoing yearly	Automated reminders

Step 1: Choose a Name for Your Colorado LLC

Your business name is the first impression you make, both with customers and with the state of Colorado. 

But naming your LLC isn’t just a branding decision; it’s a legal requirement. So, you must choose a name that complies with state rules and reflects your brand, which can feel tricky.

Here’s how to make sure your name checks every box, and how you get it right the first time.

Legal Requirements

Before you fall in love with a name, make sure it meets Colorado’s basic legal standards:

• Your name must include “Limited Liability Company,” “LLC,” or “L.L.C.”

• It must be distinct from other business names already registered in Colorado.

Even if a similar name exists with a different ending or punctuation, your application could be rejected. 

For example, “Alpine Outdoors LLC” and “Alpine Outdoors Co., LLC” are considered too similar under state rules.

How to Search and Secure Your LLC Name

To avoid delays, run a free name availability check on the Colorado Secretary of State website or let doola handle it automatically during your formation.

Once you’ve confirmed the name is legally valid, it’s time to secure it across your branding assets, especially online.

Start with these simple steps:

• Search the Colorado business name database on their website.

• Check domain availability. You’ll likely want the “.com” for your brand.

• Run a federal trademark search to avoid conflicts later.

If your first choice is taken, don’t worry. Try adding a modifier like “Group,” “Co.,” or “Solutions” to create a distinguishable name. 

Name Reservation (Optional)

Not quite ready to file? Colorado gives you the option to reserve a business name for $25, locking it in for 120 days. This is especially helpful if:

• You’re still preparing your documents

• You’re pitching to investors or waiting on a product launch

• You want to make sure no one else takes your name in the meantime

You can file a name reservation directly through the state website, or skip the paperwork entirely by letting doola reserve and monitor your name automatically through your dashboard.

Naming Checklist for Your Colorado LLC

Before moving on to filing, run through this checklist to make sure your name is ready to go:

Requirement	Check
Name is available in Colorado’s database	✅
“LLC” or “Limited Liability Company” is included	✅
Domain name (.com) is available	✅
No conflicting federal trademarks found	✅

Recommended Tools

Need help checking your name across platforms? Here are our go-to tools:

• Colorado name availability: Colorado SOS Search

• Domain availability: GoDaddy, Namecheap

• Trademark conflicts: USPTO Search

💡 Pro Tip: If you’re working with doola, your name search and filing are bundled together. No toggling between government websites and domain checkers. Just tell us your preferred name, and we’ll handle the rest.

Step 2: Appoint a Registered Agent

Once you’ve picked a name, your next move is to choose a Registered Agent, a legal requirement for every Colorado LLC. 

Think of your Registered Agent as your company’s designated point of contact for legal documents, government notices, and official correspondence.

Here’s what you need to know to make the right call.

Registered Agent Requirements (Per C.R.S. 7-90-701)

Colorado law states that every LLC must appoint a Registered Agent who:

• Has a physical street address in Colorado (P.O. boxes are not allowed)

• Is available during standard business hours, Monday through Friday, to receive service of process and official mail

This can be you, someone you know, or a professional service, but each option has serious pros and cons.

Available Options: DIY vs. Professional Registered Agent Service

Option	Cost	Privacy
Self/Personal Address	$0	Public
Professional Service	$49–$149/yr	Private

If you live in Colorado, you can list your home or office. But keep in mind:

• Your address becomes public on the state records

• You must be available 9 am–5 pm, Mon–Fri (no vacations or time zone shifts)

• Missed documents = big risk, so you might not find out about a lawsuit or compliance deadline until it’s too late.

On the other hand, professional services like doola give you:

• A permanent Colorado business address to meet state requirements

• Mail forwarding and legal doc scanning, so you never miss an important notice

• Peace of mind, especially if you’re operating remotely or overseas

This is a no-brainer for non-residents, remote founders, or anyone valuing privacy.

Best Practices

Missing a legal notice or IRS letter doesn’t just mean an inconvenience. It can also mean administrative dissolution of your LLC, fines or penalties, or default judgments if you don’t appear in court.

That’s why hiring a professional Registered Agent is a necessary step for founders who:

• Travel often or live in a different time zone

• A non-resident founder without a Colorado street address

• Don’t want your home address on public record

• Let experts monitor and forward legal mail for you

This is why doola includes Registered Agent services in every compliance plan, so you don’t have to take chances with something this important.

Step 3: File Articles of Organization

Once you’ve secured your LLC name and chosen your Registered Agent, it’s time to make it official by filing your Articles of Organization with the Colorado Secretary of State.

This is the key legal document that formally establishes your business as a Colorado LLC. Thankfully, the process is fast, fully online, and one of the most affordable in the country.

When filling out your Articles of Organization, you’ll be asked for:

• LLC Name (must match your earlier name search)

• Principal Office Address (can be different from mailing address)

• Registered Agent Details (individual or service you selected in Step 2)

• Organizer Information (the person filing the paperwork)

Colorado is one of the few states that does not accept paper forms or in-person filings for LLCs. You must use the Colorado Secretary of State’s online portal.

As of 2025, the filing fee to create an LLC in Colorado is $50, making it one of the most cost-effective states to start a business in the U.S.

There’s no waiting in line, and if you submit it during business hours, you’ll typically receive a confirmation and stamped Certificate of Organization on the same day.

Once your Articles are accepted, your LLC is officially born.

Skip the Form? Let doola File It For You

With doola, you don’t have to navigate the Secretary of State portal, fill out government forms, or worry about formatting. 

We file the Articles of Organization on your behalf, using the information you provide during onboarding.

Here’s what that means for you:

✅ No guessing what each field means

✅ Instant confirmation when your LLC is active

✅ No risk of rejection due to missing details

We’ve helped thousands of founders, U.S. and non-U.S. alike, submit filings correctly the first time.

Step 4: Create an Operating Agreement (Highly Recommended)

Without an Operating Agreement, your business is like a car without a steering wheel.

You can move forward, but you’re risking a crash if things don’t go as planned.

It’s one of the most critical internal documents you’ll ever draft, especially if you’re working with a co-founder, planning to raise money, or opening a business bank account.

An Operating Agreement clearly outlines:

• Who owns what (members and their shares)

• How decisions get made (voting rules)

• Who does what (roles and responsibilities)

• What happens when someone leaves or passes away

• How profits are split, capital is handled, or disputes are resolved

Having these rules written down helps you avoid confusion, costly disagreements, and legal headaches down the road.

What to Include in Your Operating Agreement

While there’s no one-size-fits-all format, here are the core sections every Operating Agreement should cover:

Section	What It Covers
LLC Members	Names, roles, and ownership percentages
Voting Rules	How major decisions are approved
Capital Contributions	Who’s putting in money or assets
Profit Distribution	When and how profits are shared
Dispute Resolution	What happens if members disagree
Exit & Transfer	Process if someone leaves or dies

Imagine one member wants to leave the company, and you have to decide how to handle their shares. 

If there’s no Operating Agreement, Colorado’s default laws apply, which may not align with your vision or protect your interests.

Compliance Tip: Banks May Ask for This

Even though you don’t file this document with the Secretary of State, banks, investors, and legal partners often request a signed copy when:

• Opening a business checking account

• Applying for a business loan

• Bringing on a new member or raising funding

Once your Operating Agreement is in place, your business foundation is not just formed, it’s protected. 

However, if you’re not sure where to start, doola can help you generate a professional Operating Agreement based on your business type and structure. No law degree required.

✅ Templates tailored for single-member or multi-member LLCs

✅ Editable to match your long-term plans

✅ Accepted by banks and institutions

Step 5: Apply for an EIN from the IRS (U.S. Tax ID)

Once your Colorado LLC is officially filed with the state, the next crucial step is applying for your Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS.

An EIN is essentially your business’s Social Security Number. It’s how the IRS tracks your company for tax purposes. 

An EIN is required to:

• Open a U.S. business bank account

• File federal and Colorado state taxes

• Hire employees or pay contractors

• Set up Stripe, PayPal, Shopify Payments, and other processors

• Apply for credit or business loans

• File Forms 5472 and 1120 (for foreign-owned LLCs)

Step-by-Step EIN Application Process For U.S.-Based Founders

If you have a Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), you can apply online through the IRS EIN Assistant. It takes 10 to 15 minutes.

Step	What to Do	Tips & Gotchas
1. Gather Info	Have your LLC’s legal name, Colorado principal address, and the “responsible party” SSN/ITIN ready.	The responsible party is usually the managing member.
2. Visit IRS EIN Assistant	Log in to this website. Click “Apply for an EIN.”	Use a desktop browser; the site times out after 15 min of inactivity.
3. Select Entity Type	Choose “Limited Liability Company (LLC).”	Enter number of members and Colorado as the state.
4. Confirm Purpose	The wizard asks why you’re requesting an EIN (e.g., “Started a new business”).	Answer honestly. This doesn’t lock you into one activity.
5. Enter LLC Details	Provide legal name, trade name (if any), and Colorado address.	Use your registered agent’s street + “c/o” if you’re remote.
6. Input Responsible Party	SSN/ITIN, name, and title (e.g., “Managing Member”).	The IRS will not display this person publicly.
7. Describe Business	Choose industry + brief description (two-word max).	“E-commerce retail” or “Software services” is fine.
8. Add Tax Questions	Indicate if you’ll have employees, need excise tax, etc.	Most new founders select “No” to excise, “No” to employees (for now).
9. Review & Submit	Check every line, then click Submit.	Errors force you to start over so review carefully.
10. Download CP 575	Your EIN appears instantly; download the CP 575 confirmation letter.	Save it as PDF since banks will ask for it.

You’re done! Print or save the CP 575 notice and back it up with your LLC documents.

Step-by-Step EIN Application Process For Non-U.S. Founders Without SSN/ITIN

Non-residents cannot use the online portal, but you can still apply by fax or mail using IRS Form SS-4. It’s free, but trickier.

1. Download IRS Form SS-4

2. Complete These Key Sections:

Line	What to Enter	Tip
1	LLC legal name (exactly as filed)	Should match Articles of Org.
2	Leave blank unless DBA
3	Care-of (Registered Agent or member)	Required to keep mail moving.
4a/4b	Colorado street + mailing address	No P.O. boxes.
6	“CO”	State code where articles filed.
7a/7b	Responsible party name & passport number	Write “NRA” (non-resident alien) if no SSN. Write “Foreign” or passport numberin 7b; do not enter zeros.
8a	“Yes” → LLC
9a	Check “Other” → write “Foreign-owned SMLLC” or “Domestic LLC” (if multiple members)
10	Reason: “Started new LLC in Colorado”
11	Date LLC was approved by Colorado SOS (YYYYMMDD).
18	“N/A” unless expecting excise tax.

3. Sign (ink or digital) and fax to +1-855-215-1627 (fastest) or mail to the address in the instructions.

4. Wait 2–4 weeks (fax) or 5–8 weeks (mail). The EIN notice arrives by mail or fax return.

5. Optional: After 1 week, call the IRS International EIN line (+1-267-941-1099) to confirm receipt.

The IRS may call to verify info if something is unclear so use a reachable phone number or hire a service like doola to handle communication.

When you form your LLC with doola, you don’t need to worry about SS-4s, fax numbers, IRS time zones, or rejected forms.

With doola’s EIN filing support, you’ll get:

✅ Done-for-you EIN application (U.S. and non-U.S. founders)

✅ Correctly formatted SS-4 form submission

✅ EIN delivered straight to your inbox

✅ Support if the IRS has follow-up questions

Step 6: Comply With Colorado State & Local Requirements

Forming your LLC and securing an EIN get you operational at the federal level but Colorado (and its 272 cities) add another layer of rules. 

Skip these, and you risk fines, account holds, or a forced shutdown.

Below is exactly what you need to check before you open your virtual doors.

State & Local Business Licensing

Colorado does not issue a blanket statewide business license. Instead, certain industries require specialized state or municipal permits.

• Find your NAICS code: Look it up on the NAICS search tool › copy the six-digit number that best describes your activity.

• Search licensing portals: Department of Regulatory Agencies and city or county where you’ll operate.

• Apply, pay, and post: Fees range from $15 – $300, depending on industry and location. Many cities require annual renewals. Mark those due dates on your calendar.

💡 Quick check: If you handle food, alcohol, medical services, or trades (electrical, plumbing), you almost certainly need a state license before you start operating.

Colorado Sales-Tax License

Selling taxable products or services, physical or digital, inside Colorado?

You must obtain a Colorado Sales Tax License and register with any home-rule city where you have nexus.

Item	Details
State application fee	$16 (Sales Tax License)
City/county add-on	$4 – $16 per jurisdiction
Where to apply	CO Revenue Online → “Sales Tax”
Home-rule cities	Apply separately via each city portal (e.g., Denver, Boulder)
Renewal	Every two years; zero-sales returns still required

💡 How doola helps: Our compliance experts flags the exact cities and counties that need additional permits based on your address and industry. No guessing, no missed filings.

Best Practices for Staying Compliant

Ignoring local licenses or sales-tax rules can cost far more than the $4 – $16 application fee, and lead to late penalties and forced shut-offs.

• Map your nexus early. Home-rule cities set their own sales-tax rates and filing schedules.

• Use CO Sales Tax Lookup. Confirm each rate before charging customers.

• Automate returns. File zero-sales returns on time, even if you had no transactions.

• Log renewals. Sales-tax licenses and industry permits typically renew every one or two years; set calendar reminders or let doola’s automated alerts handle it.

Step 7: File Your Periodic Report and Stay Compliant

Forming your Colorado LLC is only half the battle; keeping it “in good standing” is an annual commitment. 

The state’s single-most-important requirement is the Periodic Report, a short, online filing that confirms your company’s key details each year.

Think of the Periodic Report as your LLC’s annual check-in with the Secretary of State. It simply confirms that your company’s contact details and ownership remain accurate.

It’s a brief, state-mandated update that report:

Principal & mailing addresses	Ensures the state (and courts) can reach you.
Registered Agent info	Verifies your agent is still valid and available.
Member / manager names	Keeps ownership records current for banks & investors.

You don’t file financials, just contact details. It takes < 5 minutes if nothing’s changed.

Deadline & Fees

You must stay vigilant or if you miss the window and the Secretary of State changes your status to “Delinquent.” 

Stay delinquent long enough and Colorado can dissolve your LLC, closing bank accounts, voiding contracts, and erasing your liability shield.

Item	Details
Filing window	Opens 2 months before and closes 2 months after your LLC’s formation anniversary (5-month window).
State fee	$10 if filed on time.
Late penalty	$50 + risk of administrative dissolution after 60 days.

Best Practices to Never Miss a Deadline

✔️ Automate reminders

Add a recurring Google/iCal event two months before your anniversary date.

If you’re using doola, periodic-report alerts (email + dashboard) are built-in.

✔️ Verify in advance

Confirm your Registered Agent’s address and your principal office haven’t changed.

Update managers/members if ownership shifted during the year.

✔️ File online only

Colorado’s report is 100% digital; no mail-in option.

Keep the PDF receipt with your LLC docs for banks and investors.

Annual Colorado LLC Compliance Checklist

Completing the tasks above keeps the state happy, but compliance doesn’t end there. Other annual tasks can creep up, too.

Task	Due Date	Fee
Periodic Report	Anniversary window	$10
Sales-Tax Returns (if registered)	Monthly / Quarterly	Varies
State Business License Renewal (if required)	Industry-specific	Varies
Registered Agent Renewal	Annually	$0–$149
Federal Tax Filing (IRS)	April 15 (most LLCs)	—

💡How doola helps: Every item above is tracked. We’ll remind you, file the Periodic Report for you (if you choose), and keep digital receipts in one place, so you never scramble or pay a $50 late fee again.

Understand Colorado LLC Taxes

Taxes can feel like a maze, but Colorado keeps things fairly straightforward once you know which layers apply to your business. 

Federal Taxes: Pass-Through by Default

By default, the IRS treats single-member LLCs as “disregarded entities” and multi-member LLCs as partnerships. 

In both cases, profits flow directly onto the owners’ personal returns (Schedule C or Form 1065/K-1).

• No corporate-level tax unless you elect C-Corp status.

• Owners pay federal income tax and, if applicable, self-employment tax on their share of profits.

Colorado State Income Tax

Colorado uses a flat 4.4 % income-tax rate in 2025. Pass-through profits from your LLC feed into your Colorado return the same way they do federally.

• Resident owners: Report all income, even if earned elsewhere.

• Non-resident owners: Pay state tax only on Colorado-sourced income (e.g., customers or property in CO).

Sales Tax & Local Add-Ons

Selling taxable products or services? You’ll need a Colorado Sales Tax License and, in many cases, separate city permits for home-rule jurisdictions (Denver, Boulder, etc.).

• State base rate: 2.9 %

• Local add-ons: Up to 8 %+, depending on city/county

• Look-up tool: Use the CO Sales Tax GIS to confirm exact rates.

💡 doola’s pro tip: Even digital goods can be taxable. Check your NAICS code and product list before you start collecting payments.

Hiring in Colorado? Set Up Payroll Taxes

If you plan to hire employees, register for:

• Colorado Withholding Tax (Form CR 0100)

• Unemployment Insurance (Department of Labor & Employment)

File and remit payroll taxes on the schedule assigned to you by the state; monthly, quarterly, or annually.

Non-Resident or Foreign-Owned LLCs

Single-member LLCs owned by non-U.S. persons must file Form 5472 + pro-forma 1120 (informational returns).

Colorado still taxes Colorado-sourced profits, even if the owner lives abroad.

Missing 5472 can trigger a $25,000 IRS penalty, so don’t overlook it.

Every LLC’s tax picture is unique. When you add multiple states, foreign owners, or e-commerce sales, a DIY approach can get risky fast.

That’s why you must consult a professional to make sense of complex income streams, inventory across states, or international owners for tax filing.

doola’s tax solution bundles monthly books, annual federal/state returns, and expert tax consultation, built for founders who’d rather grow revenue than wrestle with spreadsheets.

DIY vs. Using a Formation Service: What’s the Smartest Path?

Once you understand the Colorado LLC steps, the real decision is how you’ll get them done: do everything yourself, hire an attorney, or let doola handle it end-to-end. 

Feature	DIY	doola	Traditional Attorney
Cost (Formation + Registered Agent)	$50 – $200+ (state fee + optional agent)	All-in-one transparent pricing (formation, agent, EIN, compliance)	$800 – $2,000+ (hourly rates + filing fees)
Time to Complete	1 – 3 hours (if you know every step)	< 20 minutes (guided onboarding)	1 – 2 weeks (scheduling, drafts, reviews)
Compliance Reminders	Manual calendar notes	Automated dashboard + email/SMS	Sometimes (depends on retainer)
Filing EIN	DIY through IRS only	Included / Assisted (U.S. & non-U.S. founders)	Included, but often billed hourly
Global Founder-Friendly	No. U.S. address & SSN usually required	Yes, built for non-residents (EIN without SSN, U.S. address, mail scanning)	Sometimes (must find a cross-border specialist)
Ongoing Support	None. You’re on your own	Yes, chat/email + filing services	Only if you stay on retainer

DIY is cheapest up front, an attorney is most expensive, and doola balances affordability with expert guidance, especially valuable for digital nomads, e-commerce sellers, and first-time founders.

Start Your Colorado LLC With doola

Forming an LLC shouldn’t feel like a scavenger hunt across state websites and IRS portals. doola wraps every step into one seamless, all-digital journey that takes about 20 minutes of your time.

• Everything online, anywhere in the world: File from your laptop without ever setting foot in Colorado.

• EIN for non-U.S. founders: We secure your EIN even if you don’t have an SSN, so you can open a U.S. bank account fast.

• Built-in compliance safety net: Automated alerts for periodic reports, sales-tax renewals, and license deadlines—no $50 late fees or surprise dissolutions.

• One transparent bundle: Formation + Colorado Registered Agent + compliance dashboard for a single, low price. No upsells, no hidden add-ons.

This makes us a perfect partner for:

🚀 U.S. freelancers and consultants who want liability protection.

🚀 Digital creators and e-commerce sellers scaling on Shopify, Amazon, or Etsy.

🚀 Global founders launching a U.S. presence without a U.S. address.

Ready to trade paperwork for progress? Sign up today and start building, selling, and scaling with peace of mind.

FAQs

How much does it cost to start an LLC in Colorado?

The state filing fee is just $50 in 2025. Add a registered-agent service ($49–$149/yr) if you don’t use your own Colorado address. 

Can I open a Colorado LLC from outside the state?

Yes. Colorado’s formation is 100 % online, so you can file from anywhere. If you live outside Colorado (or outside the U.S.), you’ll simply appoint a Colorado-based registered agent.

Is a registered agent required?

Absolutely. Every Colorado LLC must list a registered agent with a physical CO street address who’s available 9 – 5, Monday to Friday. 

Do I need a state or city business license?

Colorado has no universal statewide license, but specific industries (e.g., childcare, food, trades) and many home-rule cities require local permits. Always check your NAICS code and city portal before operating.

What are the ongoing requirements?

File a $10 Periodic Report each year during your five-month anniversary window, keep a registered agent on record, and renew any sales-tax or industry licenses. 

Can I use my home address?

If you live in Colorado you may, but it becomes public record and must be staffed during business hours. Most founders, especially digital nomads, prefer a professional agent or virtual address for privacy.

Does doola help with taxes, or just formation?

Both. doola forms your LLC, secures your EIN, acts as your registered agent, and offers optional bookkeeping and tax-filing services.