FormByStateState guide
How to form an LLC in Colorado
Forming an LLC in Colorado costs $50 in state filing fees to start, before any service or agent charges. This page lists the filing steps, the full state fee table, the registered agent rule, and the report rule that keeps the company in good standing.
Run the Colorado numbers in the calculator
The steps
Step 1: Choose a name
Pick a company name and confirm it is available in Colorado. The name search sits with Colorado Secretary of State, Business and Commercial Services. Keep the name distinct from companies already on the state register.
Step 2: Appoint a registered agent
An individual resident of Colorado or an entity authorized in Colorado, as registered agent. Decide now whether that will be you or a commercial service, because the filing asks for the agent name and address.
Step 3: File the Articles of Organization
File with Colorado Secretary of State, Business and Commercial Services and pay the state formation fee of $50. This filing is what creates the LLC.
Step 4: Write an operating agreement
An operating agreement records who owns the company, who runs it, and what happens if an owner leaves. It is an internal document in most states, but banks and partners ask for it.
Step 5: Get a tax ID number and set your calendar
Apply to the Internal Revenue Service for an employer identification number at no charge, open a company bank account, and record the Periodic Report deadline from this page so the first report is never a surprise.
Every state fee
| Charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| Formation fee, Articles of Organization | $50 |
| Periodic Report, each year | $25 |
| Annual state fee | None in our data, $0 |
| Paid to the state, year one | $75 |
| Paid to the state, every year after | $25 |
Registered agent rules in Colorado
Who may serve: An individual resident of Colorado or an entity authorized in Colorado, as registered agent..
A physical street address in the state is required.
A post office box alone is not enough. Registered agent must have a physical street address in Colorado.
Not sure which route fits you? Run the registered agent checker for Colorado.
Reports and deadlines
Report: Periodic Report. Fee: $25 each filing, each year.
Rule: Due each year during the filing window around the anniversary month of formation. Exact dates depend on your formation date. The compliance calendar for Colorado turns the rule into dates from your formation date.
Late fee in our data: $50 late fee. Entity becomes noncompliant and then delinquent, and may be dissolved after prolonged failure to file.
What you pay the state every year after
On the do it yourself route you pay the state $25 every year after year one in Colorado, counting the report fee spread across its filing cycle and any annual state fee. The formation fee itself is paid once, in year one. A formation service and a commercial agent add their own charges on top of that floor. The cost calculator preset for Colorado adds each service route to the same state fees so you can compare totals fairly.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Colorado?
The state filing fee in Colorado is $50 for the Articles of Organization. What you pay the state in year one comes to $75 in our data, counting any report fee due in year one and any annual state fee. A formation service and a commercial agent add their own charges on top.
How much does an LLC in Colorado cost each year?
The recurring state charges in Colorado are: Periodic Report $25 each year. After year one, you pay the state $25 a year in our data.
Do I need a registered agent in Colorado?
Yes. An individual resident of Colorado or an entity authorized in Colorado, as registered agent. Registered agent must have a physical street address in Colorado.
When is the Periodic Report due in Colorado?
Due each year during the filing window around the anniversary month of formation The fee is $25 each filing.
Source: Colorado Secretary of State, Business and Commercial Services, https://www.coloradosos.gov/biz/. State information checked on 2026-10-25. Service prices on this site were checked on merchant pricing pages on October 25, 2026.