Forming an LLC in
Colorado CO
Checked November 4, 2026 · How we score
Filing fee
$50
Articles of Organization
Annual fee
$25
per year, normalised
State income tax
4.4%
top rate
Cost rank
#9
of 51, first-year fees
Colorado LLC costs
| Filing fee | $50 |
|---|---|
| Annual report / franchise fee | $25 Periodic report: $25 each year, filed in the window from 3 months before to 2 months after your formation anniversary month. |
| First-year state fees | $75 |
| Registered agent | Required (about $50–$300/year if you don't use your own address in the state) |
| Newspaper publication | No |
| Anonymous ownership | No |
| Processing time | 1 day |
Colorado taxes for LLCs
| Personal income tax (top) | 4.4% Flat 4.4% (temporarily lower in some years under TABOR triggers). |
|---|---|
| Corporate income tax | 4.4% Flat 4.4% on net income. |
| State sales tax | 2.9% |
| Franchise / gross receipts | State sales tax is 2.9% but local and special-district taxes can raise totals above 8%–10%. |
A single-member LLC is a disregarded entity: profit flows to the owner's personal return. Federal income tax applies in every state. Non-US owners without US-source business income generally owe no US income tax but must file Form 5472 with a pro-forma 1120 each year.
Pros and cons
Why form in Colorado
- Same-day online filing
- $50 to form and $25 yearly upkeep
- Flat income tax with a low rate
Watch out for
- Local sales taxes are complex
- Colorado-sourced income is taxed even for out-of-state LLCs
Best for: Startups and tech founders in the Mountain West · Low-cost LLCs with simple operations
Colorado LLC: common questions
How much does an LLC cost in Colorado?
Filing the Articles of Organization in Colorado costs $50. After that, expect $25 a year for the periodic report. Periodic report: $25 each year, filed in the window from 3 months before to 2 months after your formation anniversary month. A commercial registered agent, if you need one, is typically $50–$300 a year extra.
Do I need a registered agent in Colorado?
Yes. Colorado requires every LLC to keep a registered agent with a physical street address in the state to accept legal and tax notices. You can act as your own agent if you live there, but non-residents and owners who want privacy usually pay a commercial agent, typically $50–$300 a year.
Can a non-US resident form an LLC in Colorado?
Yes. Colorado does not require US citizenship, residency or an SSN to own an LLC; you need a Colorado registered agent address and then an EIN from the IRS (by fax or mail with Form SS-4 if you have no SSN). A foreign-owned single-member LLC must also file Form 5472 with the IRS every year, even with no US income. Check what Colorado publishes, since member or manager names may appear in public filings. US-formed LLCs are exempt from FinCEN beneficial ownership (BOI) reporting after the March 2025 interim rule; only entities formed under foreign law and registered in the US must still report.
Does Colorado have a state income tax?
Yes. Flat 4.4% (temporarily lower in some years under TABOR triggers). LLC profits normally pass through to the owners' personal returns. Corporate income tax: Flat 4.4% on net income.
How fast can I form an LLC in Colorado?
Colorado processes online LLC filings almost instantly, often the same business day. The state fee is $50 for the Articles of Organization, and the periodic report costs $25 each year.
Sources
Colorado Secretary of State business filings
- Colorado Secretary of State / business filing office
- Tax Foundation – 2026 state income tax rates
- LLC University – LLC filing and annual fees by state (cross-check)
Similar states
Not tax or legal advice. Rates and rules change; we check official sources and update every page, but verify with a licensed adviser in the country before acting. Spotted something out of date? Use the correction form below.