Do I need a lawyer to Form a LLC in Colorado? |
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The short answer is no.
The state of Colorado does not legally require a lawyer to form a
Colorado Limited Liability Company (LLC).
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The short answer is no.
The state of Colorado does not legally require a lawyer to form a
Colorado Limited Liability Company (LLC).
Our detailed LLC Information page may help you understand some
of the implications of forming a Colorado LLC.
However, if there is anything about Forming a LLC in Colorado
that you're not sure about you should seek the advice of a competent Colorado lawyer, a Colorado accountant,
or a Colorado Business advisor before you form a LLC in Colorado.
Once you have made the decision to Form a LLC in Colorado, a Colorado lawyer
can file your documents and act as a middle man for a few hundred dollars an hour; or you can use an online service provider like All Business Documents
to perform these services and save money that you can use in your new
Colorado Limited Liability Company.
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Do I have to Reserve a Company Name before I Form a LLC in Colorado?
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You are not legally required to reserve a Company Name for a new Colorado LLC before you submit your application to
Form a LLC in Colorado.
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You are not legally required to reserve a Company Name for a new Colorado LLC before you submit your application to Form a LLC in
Colorado.
Whether or not you need to reserve a company name for your new Colorado LLC depends entirely on your business situation.
The Colorado Secretary of State uses names on a first come first served basis.
So if you think that someone may snatch the Company Name that you have in mind, you may want to reserve that Colorado Company Name.
Click here for more information on
Colorado Company Name Reservation
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What if the Colorado LLC Name I want is already taken?
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If the Name you have chosen for your new Colorado LLC is already in use by a currently active
Colorado Corporation or LLC, and you still want to use that LLC Name, then you will have to register a DBA Name with the Colorado Secretary of State. "DBA" is an abbreviation for "Doing Business As."
In Colorado a DBA Name is called a Trade Name.
We verify that the Name you have chose for your new Colorado LLC is available before we submit
your new LLC filing to the Colorado Secretary of State.
If necessary we can register a Trade Name in Colorado for you so that you can open your new Colorado business as quickly as possible.
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What do I have to do to Form a LLC in Colorado?
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6 things you have to do in order to Form a LLC in Colorado.
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6 things you have to do in order to Form a LLC in Colorado.
1. Choose a name for your Colorado LLC
2. Select an official address and a Registered Agent for your Colorado LLC
3. Determine who will be Members and who will Manage your Colorado LLC
4. Determine how you want your Colorado LLC to be taxed
5. File Articles of Organization with the Colorado Secretary of State
6. Get a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN)
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1. Choose a name for your Colorado LLC
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Your Colorado LLC name can identify the type of products and services your business will provide;
or it may be the name of the founder; or it can be a combination of the two or something else.
In any case, the Colorado LLC name that you choose must be distinguishable from the name of any other registered Colorado LLC or other
registered Colorado business entity, such as a Colorado Corporation or LLP.
The LLC name must also be different from any reserved names on record with the state of Colorado.
Your Colorado LLC name must not imply that it was formed for a purpose other than that stated in your
Articles of Organization;
and your Colorado LLC name must not be a name that is likely to mislead the public.
The name of a Colorado LLC must include the word "LLC" or
"Limited Liability Company" or an abbreviation of one of these words.
It's important to choose a good name for your Colorado LLC because if you want to change it after you
Form a LLC in Colorado you
will have to file amended Articles of Organization with the Colorado Secretary of State (and pay a fee).
We will:
- Check to make sure that your Colorado LLC name is available
- Make sure your Colorado LLC name conforms to state of Colorado regulations
- Reserve your Colorado LLC name with the Colorado Secretary of State
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2. Select an official address and a Registered Agent for your Colorado LLC
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Every Colorado LLC must have an address that is physically located in the state of Colorado.
This address is "registered" with the Colorado Secretary of State.
The Registered Address is where official and legal correspondence can be delivered.
The individual or company that is registered with the state of Colorado to receive all correspondence on behalf of the Colorado
LLC is called a "Registered Agent" or "Agent for Service of Process".
You may act as your own Registered Agent, however, many Colorado LLCs hire a Registered Agent because they don't have a physical
address within the state of Colorado or to provide a distinct level of privacy.
- We can act as the official Registered Agent for your Colorado LLC.
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3. Determine who will be Members and who will Manage your Colorado LLC
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The owners of a Colorado LLC are called Members - not Partners or Shareholders.
(a Colorado Limited Liability Company does not issue stock).
Members make all business decisions and realize the financial benefits generated by the Colorado LLC.
Division of ownership and distribution of profits are decided by private agreement among the Members.
Each Colorado LLC must have at least one Member.
Members need not live in the state of Colorado or be citizens of the United States.
Managers are responsible for the day to day operation of the Colorado LLC.
Members elect or appoint Managers and have the power to remove them.
Managers may or may not be Members of the Colorado LLC.
Management for your Colorado LLC may be defined in your Articles of Organization or, more commonly, in an Operating Agreement.
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4. Determine how you want your Colorado LLC to be taxed
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The IRS does not recognize a Limited Liability Company as a classification for federal tax purposes.
Colorado LLC Members can elect for the IRS to tax the LLC as a sole proprietorship, partnership, C Corporation, or S Corporation.
This decision may be made after the Colorado LLC is created.
If a single Member Colorado LLC does not declare a tax classification it is taxed the same as a sole
proprietorship.
A multiple Member Colorado LLC that does not declare a tax classification is taxed as a general partnership.
More specific federal LLC tax information can be found at the
IRS web site.
- If you choose to be taxed as an S Corporation, we can prepare the S Corporation election form for your Colorado LLC and include it with
your LLC formation documents.
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5. File Articles of Organization with the Colorado Secretary of State
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A Colorado Limited Liability Company is a type of business that is authorized by the state of Colorado - not by the federal government.
In order to form a LLC in Colorado you must file Articles of Organization with the Colorado Secretary of State.
The Articles of Organization must include certain specific information about your Colorado LLC.
If the Articles do not conform exactly to state of Colorado requirements they will be rejected.
You may subsequently amend the Articles of Organization for your Colorado LLC but you will have to pay a fee to the state of
Colorado in order to make the changes official.
- We can prepare and file your Articles of Organization with the Colorado Secretary of State.
We've been doing it for over 10 years.
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6. Get a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN)
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A Federal Employer Identification Number, also known as a Federal Tax Identification Number, is used by the IRS to identify a
business entity.
An FEIN is like a Social Security Number for your Colorado LLC.
All Colorado LLCs electing to be taxed as a C-Corporation or S-Corporation are required to have a FEIN.
If you do not elect to have your Colorado LLC taxed as a Corporation you may still need to get a FEIN if it is composed of multiple members or
if you plan to have employees.
If you plan to form a Single Member Colorado LLC you may not need a separate FEIN for the LLC if you have no employees.
The sole Member of a Single Member Colorado LLC may be able to use his or her Social Security Number instead of applying for an FEIN.
You may request a FEIN for your Colorado LLC for banking or state tax purposes, but an FEIN may not be required for federal tax purposes depending
on your business circumstances.
- We can get a FEIN for your Colorado LLC as soon as it is approved by the Colorado Secretary of State.
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What do I have to do after I form my Colorado LLC? |
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5 things you have to do after you Form a LLC in Colorado.
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5 things you have to do after you Form a LLC in Colorado.
1. Conduct an Organizational Meeting and adopt an Operating Agreement
2. Open a Business Bank Account in Colorado for your CO LLC
3. Obtain Business Licenses from the cities and counties in which you plan to do business
4. File the required Colorado LLC reports
5. Keep proper records of your Colorado LLC on file
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1. Conduct an Organizational Meeting and adopt an Operating Agreement
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An Operating Agreement defines the rules by which your Colorado LLC will operate.
It is the core document that is referred to when issues concerning your LLC need to be resolved.
Operating Agreements may include requirements for almost anything that involves the management and operation of your Colorado LLC.
By having an Operating Agreement all Members will be provided with a clear set of rules they have agreed upon thus reducing the likelihood of
disagreement in the future.
Items commonly included in an Operating Agreement for a Colorado LLC:
- Rights and duties of Members
- Member contributions
- Record keeping and reporting requirements
- Distribution of profits
- Allocation of losses
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- Management duties
- Meeting requirements
- Voting requirements
- Admission and termination of Members
- Dissolution procedures
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Although an Operating Agreement is not required in the state of Colorado, if you plan to form a multiple Member Colorado LLC
it is highly advisable to have one.
Having an Operating Agreement will save you a lot of time and money should conflict arise down the line.
As your Colorado LLC grows over time, you may amend your Operating Agreement as necessary.
When your Colorado LLC has an Operating Agreement your business will be governed by your own rules and not some canned business rules created by
the state of Colorado.
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2. Open a Business Bank Account in Colorado
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It's very important that you have a separate business bank account for your Colorado LLC.
Mixing personal and business funds may get you in a lot of trouble with the tax man down the line.
It's a good idea to contact the bank before you open a business bank account for your Colorado Limited Liability Company.
Specific requirements vary from bank to bank.
In most cases you will need a FEIN, a copy of your Colorado LLC Articles of Organization, and a resolution identifying authorized signers
if those names are not listed in the Articles.
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3. Obtain Business Licenses from the cities and counties in which you plan to do business
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Note that forming a Colorado LLC doesn't take the place of obtaining a business license, tax
registration certificate, or other required business permits.
A Colorado LLC merely creates an ownership structure that limits the owner's personal liability.
You may still need to take care of getting set up to do business with your local government.
Depending on the nature of the business and the location of your Colorado LLC you may need to get one or more city
business licenses or permits.
The business licenses or permits that are required for your Colorado LLC vary depending on your business activities
and the specific locations within the state of Colorado in which you want to conduct business.
If your Colorado LLC will be selling products in Colorado you may be required to obtain a Reseller's Permit from the appropriate
Colorado state agency.
If your Colorado LLC will be selling products in Colorado you will also be responsible for all applicable local and state of Colorado
sales taxes if there are any.
- We can research and prepare the necessary forms for your required business licenses and permits and include them in your Colorado LLC package.
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4. File the required Colorado LLC reports
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Each Colorado LLC must file a with the Colorado Secretary of State.
The Colorado includes basic information about your Colorado LLC.
Failure to submit a properly completed Colorado to the Colorado Secretary of State on or before the
due date may subject the Colorado LLC to being administratively dissolved in the state of Colorado or having its authority to
transact business in the state of Colorado revoked by the Colorado Secretary of State.
Penalties may accrue if you fail to file any Colorado LLC to the Colorado Secretary of State
by the due date.
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5. Keep proper records of your Colorado LLC on file
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Keep the following records on file and available at the principal business office of your Colorado LLC:
- Names and addresses of all Members and Managers of the Colorado LLC
- Articles of Organization for the Colorado LLC and any Amendments to them
- Copies of all tax returns and reports for the Colorado LLC for the last 3 years
- If the Colorado LLC has an Operating Agreement, a copy of the Operating Agreement and any Amendments
- Copies of any LLC Resolutions which have been adopted by the Colorado LLC
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What information do I need in order to Form a LLC in Colorado? |
In order to Form a LLC in Colorado you'll need certain specific information about your new Company
including the LLC name and address; and the name and address of the new Colorado LLC's Registered Agent.
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In order to Form a LLC in Colorado you'll need the following information about your new Company:
- The name of your new Colorado LLC along with your second choice of a name in case the name that you want is not available
- Physical addess of the LLC office in Colorado (not a PO Box)
- Name and address of your Colorado Registered Agent (not a PO Box)
- A description of the nature of the business you are planning to operate with your Colorado LLC
- Who is going to manage the day to day operation of your Colorado LLC
- The number of Members (Owners) of your Colorado LLC
- When your Colorado LLC will start and when it will cease to exist (normally the LLC starts on the date the application is filed and will exist perpetually)
You do not have to name the Members of a
Colorado LLC in the Articles of Organization.
While you are not required to name the Members of a new Colorado LLC you still may include Member information with your initial
Colorado LLC filing.
Remember - ALL the information that you provide when you Form a LLC in Colorado becomes part of the public record.
Our data entry forms include the absolute minimum amount of information that is required in order to Form a Limited Liability Company in Colorado.
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How long does it take to Form a LLC in Colorado? |
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Processing times for new Colorado LLC applications vary depending on the work load of the
Secretary of State's staff.
We've found that normal processing of new Colorado Articles of Organization takes the state around 1-2 business days.
Add 2-3 days for the time period for shipping the final documents by mail.
Choosing our Express Mail option can shave a couple of days off the total processing time for your Colorado LLC.
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PLEASE NOTE: WE CANNOT GUARANTEE COLORADO SECRETARY OF STATE PROCESSING TIMES.
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We are dependent on, and have no control over, the staff and systems of the Colorado Secretary of State.
In our experience 1-2 business days is the time it usually takes the Colorado Secretary of State to process
a new Colorado LLC application.
We get your Colorado LLC application to the CO Secretary of State ASAP. Once it is at the state we have no control over the new Colorado LLC application process.
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Are there any Expedited Processing Options for new CO LLC Filings?
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The Colorado Secretary of State does not offer expedited processing for new Colorado LLC filings.
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How much does it cost to Form a LLC in Colorado? |
The state of Colorado charges $55.00 to form a new LLC.
This is the cost of filing and getting a Certified Copy of your Articles of Organization from the CO Secretary of State.
If you choose All Business Documemnts to help you form your LLC in Colorado, our processing fees are $125.00.
We start processing your new Colorado LLC order as soon as we get it.
Total cost includes:
- Name Check and Reservation
- Prepare Articles of Organization
- File Articles of Organization with the Colorado Secretary of State
- Certified Copies of Articles
- Colorado LLC Checklist
- Priority Mail Delivery
- Unlimited Customer Support
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Colorado Foreign LLC Qualification |
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You want to do business in the state of Colorado but are registered as a Domestic LLC in another state.
In order to legally conduct business in the state of Colorado you must register with the Colorado Secretary of State as
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You want to do business in the state of Colorado but are registered as a Domestic LLC in another state.
In order to legally conduct business in the state of Colorado you must register with the Colorado Secretary of State as
a Colorado Foreign LLC.
The process of registering as a Foreign LLC in the state of Colorado is called Colorado LLC Foreign Qualification.
The process of Colorado LLC Foreign Qualification is similar to the process of forming a Domestic LLC in the state of Colorado.
Your original formation documents (usually called Articles of Organization) and Corporate Bylaws apply to your Colorado Foreign LLC.
The Members and Managers of your Domestic LLC have the same roles in the Colorado Foreign LLC.
Click here for specific requirements for
Colorado LLC Foreign Qualification.
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