How to Form an LLC in Colorado: Articles, Agent & Periodic Report

To form a Colorado LLC you file Articles of Organization with the Colorado Secretary of State under C.R.S. § 7-80-204, stating the LLC name, principal office, registered agent, and management structure. The LLC must continuously maintain a registered agent (C.R.S. § 7-90-701) and file a periodic report (C.R.S. § 7-90-501) — first due by the last day of the second month after the first anniversary, then annually. Filing and periodic-report fees apply; confirm current fees on coloradosos.gov.

This is general information, not legal advice. A Colorado attorney can help you get the details right.

A Colorado LLC gives you a liability shield with relatively little formality. Here’s the process.

The steps

File the Articles of Organization. Under C.R.S. § 7-80-204, the articles must state the LLC name, the principal office, the registered agent, and the management structure. You file them with the Colorado Secretary of State — filings are done online through the Secretary of State, and online filings are processed in real time and cost less than paper.
Maintain a registered agent. The LLC must continuously maintain a registered agent (C.R.S. § 7-90-701) to receive legal papers.
File the periodic report. Keep the LLC in good standing by filing the periodic report (C.R.S. § 7-90-501).

Don’t miss the periodic report

The first periodic report is due by the last day of the second month after your first anniversary, and then annually after that (C.R.S. § 7-90-501). Missing it can affect your good standing, so calendar the deadline.

Fees

Filing fees apply to form the LLC, and a periodic-report fee applies each year. These amounts change, so confirm the current fee on the Colorado Secretary of State site (coloradosos.gov) before you file.

Next steps

Not sure an LLC is right for you? Compare structures in choosing a business entity, or see how to form a corporation. For help filing correctly, connect with a lawyer.

Frequently asked questions

What do I file to form a Colorado LLC?

You file Articles of Organization with the Colorado Secretary of State under C.R.S. § 7-80-204, stating the LLC name, principal office, registered agent, and management structure.

Does my Colorado LLC need a registered agent?

Yes. A Colorado LLC must continuously maintain a registered agent (C.R.S. § 7-90-701) to receive legal documents.

When is the periodic report due?

The first periodic report is due by the last day of the second month after the LLC's first anniversary, then annually after that (C.R.S. § 7-90-501).

Related guides

Business Disputes in Colorado When a contract is breached in Colorado, remedies include money damages and, where damages are inadequate, specific performance. Deadlines matter: most contract actions must be brought within 3 years (C.R.S. § 13-80-101), but actions to collect a liquidated or determinable debt have 6 years (C.R.S. § 13-80-103.5). Where there's doubt, Colorado courts favor the longer period. Confirm current deadlines before relying on them.

Choosing a Business Entity in Colorado Colorado business owners choose among sole proprietorships and general partnerships (no formation filing), LLCs (Colorado Limited Liability Company Act, C.R.S. § 7-80-101 et seq.), and corporations (Colorado Business Corporation Act, C.R.S. Title 7, Articles 101–117). LLCs and corporations are formed by filing with the Secretary of State and generally shield owners' personal assets. LLCs and partnerships are usually pass-through for tax; corporations are taxed at the entity level unless they make a federal S-corp election.

Contract Basics in Colorado A contract needs offer, acceptance, and consideration. Colorado's statute of frauds (C.R.S. § 38-10-112) requires a signed writing for certain agreements — including those not to be performed within one year, a promise to answer for another's debt, and agreements in consideration of marriage. A contract for the sale of land or an interest in land must be in writing under a separate section (C.R.S. § 38-10-108).

How to Form a Corporation in Colorado To form a Colorado corporation you file Articles of Incorporation under the Colorado Business Corporation Act (C.R.S. § 7-102-102), stating the corporate name, authorized shares, registered agent, principal office, and incorporators. The corporation must maintain a registered agent (C.R.S. § 7-90-701) and file the periodic report (C.R.S. § 7-90-501). An 'S corporation' is a federal tax election with the IRS, not a separate Colorado entity. Fees apply; confirm current amounts on coloradosos.gov.

Trade Name (DBA) Registration in Colorado A person or entity transacting business in Colorado under a name other than its true name must file a Statement of Trade Name with the Colorado Secretary of State (C.R.S. § 7-71-101). Unlike some states, Colorado has no newspaper-publication requirement — it's just a Secretary of State filing. Fees apply; confirm current amounts on coloradosos.gov.

How to Form an LLC in Colorado