A trade name is a Colorado DBA (doing business as). A Colorado trade name registration permits a company to operate under a name other than its legal name.
Your personal assets will not be protected if you register a DBA in Colorado. Forming a formal company structure, such as an LLC or corporation, can provide you with liability protection as well as a business name.
Registration of Trade Names in Colorado
It is simple to register a Colorado trade name, commonly known as a DBA.
A DBA is solely used for branding purposes. A DBA does not safeguard your personal assets in the event that your company is sued. As a result, we highly advise that a DBA be utilised exclusively by a formal company structure such as an LLC or corporation to add new brands to an existing firm.
If you operate an informal company (sole proprietorship or partnership), we highly advise you to create an LLC to keep your business and personal assets distinct. The name of the LLC might be chosen to serve as the business’s brand name.
Learn How to File a DBA in Colorado in Two Easy Steps:
Begin by doing a Colorado Trade Name Search.
Create a Colorado DBA.
A DBA is solely used for branding purposes. To keep your company and personal assets distinct, we propose incorporating an LLC.
Step 1: Conduct a Colorado Trade Name Search.
Your Colorado trade name must be distinct and fit the state’s company name standards.
First, go to the Colorado Name Availability Search website and check to see whether your new DBA name is already in use.
Review the Colorado naming criteria next. In Colorado, your business name should not contain the following words:
Any word that would be illegal in Colorado. Your company name, for example, cannot include obscenities or allusions to unlawful acts.
Words that may cause confusion between your company and a government agency (FBI, Treasury, State Department, etc.).
We suggest that you check to see whether your name is accessible as a web domain (URL). You may not want to launch a company website right now, but you may wish to prevent others from gaining your URL.
Step 2: Create a Colorado DBA.
Your Colorado trade name must be registered with the Secretary of State online. You may submit your application on the Secretary of State’s website. There are several forms available based on your company’s structure (corporation, LLC, partnership, etc.).
The following information should be included on the form:
The company’s name
A description of the company
The trade name’s effective date
A DBA does not provide legal protection for your personal assets if your company is sued. Visit our How to Form an LLC page and choose your state for additional information on forming a limited liability corporation.
From July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023, Colorado has decreased trade name filing costs to $1.
Manage Your Colorado Business Name
General Concerns
Call the Secretary of State’s office in Colorado at (303) 894-2200 or (855) 428-3555. (toll-free)
Renew Your Business Name with the State
In Colorado, trade names for sole proprietorships and partnerships expire on the first of the month after the one-year anniversary of the filing. For example, if a trade name is registered on October 10, it will expire the following November 1.
Trade names must be renewed online before they expire. They may be renewed at any time up to three months before their expiry date. The charge for renewal is $5.
Trade names for limited liability companies and corporations do not expire as long as the firm is in good standing. If the company’s good standing deteriorates, the trade name will expire after one year. The trade name expiry date will be terminated if the firm regains good standing.
If your trade name expires and you want to use it again, you must submit a new registration form.
Change Your Company Name
Changes or modifications to your trade name registration may be made online. The cost is $10.
Remove Your Trade Name
You may cancel your Colorado business name online. The cost is $10.
Following the Submission of Your Colorado DBA
If registering a DBA is the first step in your company journey, there are a few additional actions you need follow before getting started:
Create a Website for Your Business – Every business need a website. Fortunately, drag-and-drop tools like GoDaddy and Wix make the process fast and simple. To select the best website builder for you, read our Best Website Builder article.
Organize Your Business Finances – You’ll need to keep your corporate money distinct from your personal ones. This is performed via the establishment of a business bank account. If your company has extended lead times or other cash flow issues, you may want to consider a business credit card.
Safeguard Your Business – While an LLC will assist to protect your personal assets in the event of a lawsuit, the assets of your business also need protection. Having the correct company insurance can protect you if the worst occurs. As a starting point, most firms get general liability insurance.