Colorado Secretary of State

How Much Does an LLC Cost in Colorado?

Forming an LLC in Colorado means filing the Articles of Organization with the Colorado Secretary of State. The calculator below separates official government fees from estimates, and fixed costs from variable ones.

Entity type

LLC Corporation

An S corporation is a federal tax election, not a state entity type — both LLCs and corporations may qualify for it.

Registered agent

Act as my own agent — $0Generally allowed if you have an in-state address and are available during business hoursHire a service — about $200/yrMarket estimate (typically $100–$300/yr), not a state fee

First-year government fees — Colorado LLC

$50

Official state fees

Articles of Organization filing fee$50

Ongoing fixed fees

Periodic report feeDue each year during the three-month window around the formation anniversary month, beginning the year after formation$25 / yr

≈ $25/yr annualized for comparison — actual payment schedule shown above.

Five-year outlook

Fixed government fees (5 yrs)$150

Estimated total (5 yrs)$150

Educational estimate based on official fee schedules verified July 12, 2026 — not legal or tax advice. Fees, rules, and processing times change; confirm with the state or a qualified professional before relying on them.

The numbers behind this page

Every figure comes from the typed data record for Colorado, verified July 12, 2026 against the sources listed at the bottom of this page.

Formation fees — Colorado LLC
Fee	Amount	Schedule	Type
Articles of Organization filing fee	$50	One-time	Official state fee

† Partially verified — corroborated but not confirmed on a machine-readable official page.

Recurring & conditional obligations — Colorado LLC
Fee	Amount	Schedule	Type
Periodic report fee	$25	AnnualDue each year during the three-month window around the formation anniversary month, beginning the year after formation	Official state fee

† Partially verified — corroborated but not confirmed on a machine-readable official page.

Filing process & processing times

File online through the Secretary of State's website — Colorado business filings are online-only.

Processing options for Colorado LLC filings
Option	Typical turnaround	Added fee	Notes
Standard processing	0–1 business days	None	Online filings are processed immediately upon submission

Processing times are estimates based on currently available official guidance and change with filing volume — they are not guaranteed.

Registered agent costs

Every Colorado LLCmust continuously maintain a registered agent with a physical in-state address. Acting as your own agent costs $0 where you meet the state's eligibility rules; commercial services typically run $100–$300 per year. The calculator uses $200 — the midpoint of that range — when you choose a hired service.

Midpoint of the typical advertised price range for national commercial registered-agent services as of July 2026 (e.g. Northwest Registered Agent $125/yr, ZenBusiness $199/yr, LegalZoom $249/yr). Budget providers advertise below this range and premium corporate-service firms above it. Serving as your own agent costs $0 where you meet state eligibility rules.

Worth knowing about Colorado

Colorado business filings are entirely online and effective immediately — there is no paper option or expedite tier.

Colorado LLC cost FAQs

How much does it cost to start an LLC in Colorado?

The Colorado Secretary of State charges $50 to file the Articles of Organization. That figure excludes optional services and any variable taxes, which depend on your circumstances.

What are the ongoing costs of an LLC in Colorado?

Colorado LLCs generally must pay the periodic report fee of $25 per year (due each year during the three-month window around the formation anniversary month, beginning the year after formation).

How long does it take to form an LLC in Colorado?

Online filings are often processed the same day. Colorado does not currently offer a paid expedited tier for this filing. Processing times change with filing volume, so confirm current turnaround with the state before relying on a date.

Do I need a registered agent for an LLC in Colorado?

Yes. Every Colorado LLC must continuously maintain a registered agent with a physical address in the state to receive legal and official mail. You can generally act as your own agent at no cost if you meet the state's eligibility rules, or hire a commercial service — typically $100–$300 per year. Whether serving as your own agent is practical depends on your circumstances, including privacy and availability during business hours.

When is the Colorado periodic report fee due?

Due each year during the three-month window around the formation anniversary month, beginning the year after formation. Missing the deadline can trigger late fees or administrative dissolution, so put the date on your compliance calendar.

What this page doesn't cover

Federal, state, and local taxes beyond the fixed fees shown — income-dependent taxes are listed as variable obligations and never included in exact totals.
Business licenses, local permits, industry-specific registrations, and DBA filings.
Attorney, accountant, or filing-service fees beyond the labeled registered-agent estimate.
Whether an LLC — or Colorado — is the right choice for your situation. FormedIn provides general educational information, not legal, tax, accounting, or financial advice, and nothing here recommends an entity type or formation state for any specific person.

Fees, rules, deadlines, and processing times change. Confirm current requirements with the Colorado Secretary of State and consult a qualified attorney, CPA, or tax professional about your specific circumstances.

Sources

Colorado data last verified July 12, 2026.

Business Fee Schedule— Colorado Secretary of StateOfficialaccessed July 12, 2026
How Much Does a Registered Agent Cost? 2026 Guide— RegisteredAgentCost.comaccessed July 12, 2026
How Much Does a Registered Agent Cost?— ZenBusinessaccessed July 12, 2026