Vendor setup
Register a business in Colorado
The filing office, forms, steps and next stops for registering a business in Colorado. Every line shows the official page it came from, and the day we read it.
The order to do it in
Choose a business type and get your EIN first. Then file with the state filing office below, and check your city and county before you start work.
Filing office
- Colorado entities are formed with the Secretary of State, Business Division. Filings are made online. Colorado Secretary of State, as of
Forming an LLC
- A Colorado LLC is formed by filing Articles of Organization. Colorado Secretary of State, as of
- Articles of Organization, filed online: $50 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Colorado Secretary of State, as of
Forming a corporation
- A Colorado corporation is formed by filing Articles of Incorporation. Colorado Secretary of State, as of
- Articles of Incorporation, filed online: $50 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Colorado Secretary of State, as of
Annual or biennial report
- Colorado entities file a periodic report each year to stay in good standing. Colorado Secretary of State, as of
- Periodic report, filed online: $25 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Colorado Secretary of State, as of
Assumed name (DBA)
- A Colorado Statement of Trade Name is filed online only, with the Secretary of State. Colorado Secretary of State, as of
- Statement of Trade Name, filed online: $20 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Colorado Secretary of State, as of
State tax registration
- Colorado sales tax licences are applied for through MyBizColorado or form CR 0100. A new account sends a deposit, refunded once that amount of state sales tax has been paid, plus a licence fee prorated by date. Colorado Department of Revenue, as of
- Colorado does not tax services. Whether your business needs a sales tax licence depends on what it sells. Colorado Department of Revenue, as of
- Deposit with a new account: $50 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Colorado Department of Revenue, as of
- Licence fee for July to December of an even year: $12 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Colorado Department of Revenue, as of
State rules for pool, lifeguard and contractor work
These lines point to the state’s own rules. Whether one applies to your work is for the state to say, so confirm with the agency named in each line.
- Colorado’s swimming-pool regulation (5 CCR 1003-5), as amended effective December 15, 2020, lets certain local entities use the Model Aquatic Health Code. Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, as of
City and county licences
City and county licences vary by place. Check with your city hall or county clerk before you start work.
Sources
- Business Organizations Fee Schedule Colorado Secretary of State. As of .
- Trade Names Colorado Secretary of State. As of .
- Standard retail license Colorado Department of Revenue. As of .
- Swimming pools regulation Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. As of .
Official pages change. Each line shows the day we last read it.
Last checked