The Colorado Articles of Organization are the LLC forms that must be completed and filed with the state in order to incorporate an LLC.
It is simple to file the Colorado Articles of Organization!
We’ll walk you through the Colorado LLC Articles of Organization filing process in three simple stages.
Get Forms for Your Articles of Organization
Complete the Articles of Organization.
Keep the Articles of Organization on file.
Step 1: Obtain your Articles of Organization.
The only way to file the Articles of Organization in Colorado is online.
Step 2: Complete the Articles of Incorporation.
We will assist you with completing the Colorado Articles of Organization in this stage.
To finish each Article, you will need to know the following information:
Name of the Entity and its Principal Address
Name of the Registered Agent and the Address of the Registered Office
Type of Governing Authority
Name of the Entity
A unique and clever company name is crucial, but it is not as necessary as a legally valid name.
When selecting a name for your company, you must ensure that the name:
Meets Colorado naming standards.
Is not already in use by another Colorado firm
The Colorado Naming Guidelines should be followed:
Your name must contain one of the following words or abbreviations: limited liability company, limited liability co., limited liability co., limited, l.l.c., LLC, or ltd.
Your name must be distinct from any other current company in the state. We will assist you with this step in the section below on how to find a company name.
Your name cannot include any terms that are illegal in Colorado. Your company name, for example, cannot include obscenities or allusions to unlawful acts.
Your LLC’s name cannot include terms that may be confused with a government organisation (FBI, Treasury, State Department, etc.).
Certain terms (e.g., bank, attorney, university) may need extra documentation and a licenced professional to be part of your LLC in certain states.
Examine Name Availability:
Is your surname legal in Colorado? Do a name search on the Colorado Secretary of State’s website to ensure that the name you choose isn’t already used.
Obtain a Domain Name:
We suggest that you check to see whether your company’s name is accessible as a web domain. Even if you don’t intend to create a company website right away, you may wish to purchase the URL to prevent others from doing so.
Registered Office and Registered Agent
A registered agent receives and transmits legal paperwork on behalf of your LLC. When you form your Colorado LLC, you must provide your registered agent and registered office address.
Your registered agent may be anybody over the age of 18 who resides in Colorado. During normal business hours, your registered agent must always be present at the registered office. A P.O. box cannot be used as your registered office address.
Step 3: Submit the Articles of Incorporation.
You must submit the Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State to register your LLC. This must be completed online.
Steps to Take After Forming Your Colorado LLC
After filing your Articles of Organization, you should do the following:
Make a Business Agreement
Obtain an EIN
Establish a Business Bank Account
Purchase Licenses and Permits
Make a Business Agreement
A Colorado LLC Operating Agreement is a legal document that defines your LLC’s ownership structure and member duties.
Although an Operating Agreement is not necessary in Colorado to incorporate an LLC, it is a good idea to have one. You may begin working on your operating agreement before, during, or after filing your Articles of Organization.
Your operating agreement will be held in the private business records of your LLC; you will not submit it with the state.
To create a bespoke operating agreement for your LLC, use our free Operating Agreement Tool.
Obtain an EIN
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is your LLC’s equivalent of a social security number. If you want to recruit staff or create company bank accounts, you’ll need an EIN.
You may get your EIN for free by using the IRS website, fax, or mail. Read our What is an EIN article to discover more about EINs and how they might benefit your LLC.
Establish a Business Bank Account
It is critical to use specific business banking and credit accounts to safeguard your company’s corporate veil. When you combine your personal and company accounts, your personal assets (house, vehicle, and other possessions) are at danger if your LLC is sued.
Purchase Licenses and Permits
When forming an LLC, you should consider if your company requires any licences or permissions to operate legally. There are a few commercial operations that need licences or permissions on the federal level.
Learn how to secure the licences and permissions required for your company, or hire an expert to handle it for you:
Federal: For federal business licences and permits, see the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
State: Contact Colorado’s Department of Regulatory Agencies to apply for or learn more about licences, permits, and registration.
Local: Inquire with your county clerk regarding local licences and permissions.