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Think of Colorado paperwork in three layers. The Secretary of State creates the LLC. The Department of Revenue handles state tax registration. Anything beyond that depends on what you sell and where you operate. The pages we read do not describe one general statewide business license.
Which office does what in Colorado?
Per the Secretary of State's starting a business FAQ:
- Secretary of State. Files the entity. The Articles of Organization are filed online, and the fee is $50.
- Department of Revenue. You register there for a state tax number. Questions on state taxes and state sales tax licensing go to this department too.
- IRS. Issues the EIN. Use our EIN guide for the steps.
The Secretary of State also says it does not issue EINs. A state tax number and an EIN are two different numbers, so you need to ask each agency separately.
What do you register for after forming the LLC?
Start with the EIN, then the Department of Revenue. We did not read the Revenue Department's own pages, so we cannot quote its license fee, form names or renewal rules. Go to its site for those. Our state tax ID lookup guide explains the difference between the numbers.
If you plan to sell under a brand name instead of the LLC name, that is a separate trade name filing. Read the Colorado DBA guide.
What does the LLC itself cost to keep active?
This is the part that people mistake for a license renewal.
- Periodic Report. It is filed online and costs $25.
- Due window. You can file from two months before to two months after your report month.
- Late penalty. $50 for filing late.
The report keeps the entity in good standing. It renews no license. For the formation steps, see our Colorado LLC guide, and for fees in other states see LLC fees by state.
In what order should you do it?
- Check the name. The name must be distinguishable from names on record. Use LLC name search before you file.
- File the Articles of Organization online for $50 and pick a registered agent. Our Colorado registered agent guide covers who qualifies.
- Get the EIN from the IRS.
- Register with the Department of Revenue for the state tax number.
- Ask your city or county, and any board that covers your trade, whether you need a separate license or permit.
- Put the Periodic Report window in your calendar.
Steps 4 and 5 sit outside the Secretary of State, and no single page we read lists every requirement. Keep a note of each agency you contacted, the number it gave you and the date you asked.
Where can you check a license?
We did not read a Colorado license verification tool, so we do not link one. For the LLC itself, the Secretary of State's business search shows status and registered agent. Our Colorado business search guide explains it. For general license lookups, see business license lookup.
Who can help you work out which licenses apply?
The Colorado Small Business Development Center offers information about forming, licensing and funding a business, according to the Secretary of State. A city or county clerk, or a professional licensing board for your trade, is the next stop. We did not read those sources.
What this page does not cover
It does not list city or county licenses, professional licenses, sales tax rates or Revenue Department fees. It is not legal or tax advice. Rules change, so confirm each fee and form on the agency's own site before you pay.