Starting a business in Colorado

How to start a business in Colorado

Starting a business in Colorado can and should be easier than you think. You file simple forms with the secretary of state, and your business is formed! Obviously there’s a few more things than that, but if you’d like to start your own business yourself, you will find it easy to hire us as your registered agent and you’ll find all the forms you could file to start a business in Colorado, along with great filing instructions on the quickest and cheapest ways to start your business in Colorado.

What’s the actual process to start a business in Colorado?

1. You file articles of incorporation for an Colorado corporation or articles of organization for an Colorado LLC with the CO Secretary of State.
2. You obtain a federal tax ID number (FEIN or EIN) with the IRS after you have confirmation and filed articles from the State of Colorado showing your approved Colorado business.
3. Opening a business banking account under your new Colorado business name should be easy with these two items.
4. If you’re going to have employees or need to withhold sales tax, you will probably need to register with the CO department of revenue. We provide all these links in your online account.
5. If your business trade requires a license, you’ll have to apply for a license with the Colorado licensing board. (Most businesses don’t.) But if you do, these quick links and contact details are in your online account.
6. Some local cities or counties have a general license, but most don’t.
7. You obtain a local trade license if the city or county you’re going to be working in requires it.
8. If you’re going to have an office or shop you might need an approval from the city zoning for your type of business in that location.
9. If you get overwhelmed, just get your business pulling in money and worry about regulations later.

If you want a corporation, you file Colorado Articles of Incorporation:

The Colorado articles of incorporation cost $50 with the Colorado Secretary of State.

We custom draft your Colorado articles of incorporation when you hire Northwest to start your Colorado business. The basic requirements of Colorado corporations are:

• The Colorado corporation must have a corporate ending such as incorporated, corporation or an abbreviation thereof.
• The duration of the corporation is "perpetual" unless otherwise stated.
• The purpose of the Colorado corporation is not actually needed.
• There is no requirement to give the number of shares.
• The name of the registered agent in Colorado and the registered office address.
• Colorado corporations can be formed anonymously.
• The name and address of the Colorado incorporators.
• The CO corp principal office address and mailing address.
• Date of execution.
• The Colorado incorporator must sign the articles of incorporation.

Colorado does not require original signatures on new CO corporation filings. The stamped form will be mailed to the address of the person who filed the documents. If you form a CO corp online you get an online copy immediately.

If you want a LLC, you file Colorado Articles of Organization:

To form an Colorado LLC, you file Colorado articles of organization. The basic requirements of Colorado LLC filings are:

• The business name must have a limited liability company ending or variation of it such as LLC, L.L.C.
• The Colorado business name must be different than already registered Colorado businesses.
• The duration of the Colorado LLC, (Usually perpetual.)
• Colorado limited liability companies do not need to state a LLC purpose.
• The Colorado registered agent and the physical address.
• The names and addresses of the initial member(s) are not required
• If the CO limited liability company is to be managed by one or more managers, you must specify this management structure. Managers names are not required.
• The principal and mailing address of the new Colorado LLC.
• Someone must acknowledge the filing as the CO LLC organizer.

Colorado does not require original signatures on new CO LLC filings or signatures at all for that matter. The proof of the new Colorado LLC filing is created online immediately.

Are you a do-it-yourselfer? You can save some money:

If you want to start a business in Colorado yourself, you can just hire us as your Colorado registered agent, and you'll instantly have the Colorado LLC or corporation forms to file along with filing instructions on the quickest, cheapest, and most efficient way to incorporate an Colorado corporation or form a Colorado LLC. You'll get the ongoing support of our online tools, reminders and the support of a professional Colorado registered agent service.