LLC TrueCost
2026 planning estimate

Colorado LLC Cost Calculator & 5-Year Taxes

Initial state filing fee: $50. Ongoing annual report fee: $10 (annual). No state franchise tax.

Step 1 Before LLC Formation • Official State Registry

Check if your LLC name is taken on official Colorado database

Every LLC name must be legally distinguishable on state records. Perform a free corporate name lookup on the official Colorado Secretary of State registry before submitting your $50 Articles of Organization.

Search Colorado Registry (.gov)
2026 Statutory Fee Guide • Verified State Department Records

How Much Does an LLC Cost in Colorado?

Colorado LLC Mandatory and Ongoing Fees Schedule (2026)
Fee ComponentStatutory CostFrequencyDue Date / RequirementRecipient Entity
Articles of Organization (Filing Fee)$50One-timeUpon LLC formationColorado Secretary of State
Periodic Annual / Biennial Report$10annualDue Anniversary month (Periodic Report)Colorado Secretary of State
State Franchise Tax / Entity Fee$0NoneNo franchise taxN/A
Registered Agent Service$0 (Self) or $39–$125AnnualContinuous requirementAppointed agent / Commercial service
Operating Agreement & Federal EIN$0 (Free)One-timeInternal record / IRS issuanceInternal Company Record / IRS
Total Minimum Initial Formation$50 (State statutory fees to open LLC)
Statutory Department: Colorado Secretary of State
Verify on Colorado Secretary of State

Colorado LLC 5-Year Cost Model

CO

Choose a state and assumptions. Your five-year estimate updates instantly.

Projection2026–2030
Measures5 taxable years
Accounting basisLiability incurred
Initial: $50
Approval speed: Instant online•Public Privacy: Standard
If you reside or hire employees in a different state from your LLC, that state requires Foreign Qualification registration.

Future years assume today's reviewed rates remain unchanged. Historical estimates are not enabled because older rules have not been fully verified.

Colorado Tax Rule: Colorado does not impose a state franchise tax on LLCs.
Service purchase is optional
Deciding where to incorporate?

This estimate covers liabilities incurred in five taxable years (2026–2030), even when payment is due later.

Future years use an unchanged-current-law assumption. Income tax, legal advice, penalties, and unselected optional services are excluded.

2026 setup cost
$89

Initial formation fee ($50) + registered agent

Annual Maintenance
$49 /yr avg

Annual report ($10/yr)

5-Year Estimated CostModeled items only
$285(~$5/mo)

Estimated liability for the selected inputs and disclosed scope in Colorado.

Five taxable years by cost category(Click any year to inspect)

Select a year to inspect its included liabilities and applicable tax due date.

Inspecting: Year 1 ($89)
State Formation & Expedited
Base Entity Tax
Revenue-Based / Conditional Fee
Annual / Biennial Reports
Special Mandates (Publication, etc.)
Registered Agent Compliance
Home State Foreign Qualification

Tax year 2026 included items

Total: $89
State Filing$50
Base Entity Tax$0
Conditional Fee$0
Annual Report$0
Special / Pub$0
Registered Agent$39
Foreign Qual.$0

5-Year Budget Allocation by Cost Category

Total State Filings
$50
18% of 5-yr budget
Base Entity Taxes
$0
0% of 5-yr budget
Annual / Biennial Reports
$40
14% of 5-yr budget
Registered Agent Service
$195
68% of 5-yr budget
Publication / Mandates
$0
0% of 5-yr budget
Recommended Business BankingFDIC Insured up to $5M
Open a zero-fee business checking account for your Colorado LLC

Separate your business finances immediately to preserve limited liability corporate veil protection.

Explore Mercury ($0 Monthly Fees)

Colorado LLC Statutory Framework & Compliance Guide (2026)

Statutory requirements and fee schedules under the Colorado Secretary of State.

Official State Portal (.gov)
Annual Report Due DateAnniversary month (Periodic Report)Frequency: ANNUAL
Normal TurnaroundInstant onlineExpedited: Fast / Included
Public Record PrivacyStandardRegistered agent protects personal address
State Personal Income Tax4.4% flat taxLLC pass-through profits flow to owners

Colorado Franchise Tax & Business Privilege Tax Rules

Colorado does not impose a state franchise tax on LLCs.

Advantages of a Colorado LLC

  • Among the cheapest states nationwide ($50 formation + $10/year)
  • Instant automated online approval

Drawbacks & Hidden Costs

  • Public database displays organizer and registered agent names

Founder Pro-Tip for Colorado

Colorado periodic reports are only $10 if filed online within the due window.

Step-by-Step Colorado LLC Formation Checklist (2026)

1
Choose an Available Entity Name

Must include "LLC", "L.L.C.", or "Limited Liability Company" and be distinguishable on the Colorado Secretary of State registry.

2
Appoint a Colorado Registered Agent

Must have a physical street address in Colorado (no P.O. boxes) to receive official service of process during regular business hours.

3
File Articles of Organization ($50 State Fee)

Submit electronically to the Colorado Secretary of State. Approval is typically granted within Instant online.

4
Execute an Operating Agreement & Obtain Federal EIN

Establish member capital contributions, voting rights, and obtain a free 9-digit EIN from IRS.gov for business checking accounts.

5
Maintain Ongoing Legal Good Standing (Anniversary month (Periodic Report))

Submit the annual report with the $10 fee to prevent automatic forfeiture or late fee assessments.

Colorado LLC Cost FAQ

Common questions about forming and maintaining an LLC in Colorado.

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

The state filing fee to form an LLC in Colorado is $50, paid to the Colorado Secretary of State when you file your Articles of Organization. With a registered agent service ($39–$125/yr), expect to pay approximately $89 in your first year.

What is the Colorado LLC filing fee for 2026?

The Colorado LLC filing fee is $50. This is a one-time fee paid to the Colorado Secretary of State to register your Articles of Organization. Normal processing time is Instant online.

What are the annual fees for an LLC in Colorado?

Colorado charges a annual report fee of $10, due Anniversary month (Periodic Report). There is no state franchise tax for standard LLCs in Colorado, making ongoing costs relatively low.

How much does it cost to maintain a Colorado LLC per year?

The annual cost to maintain a Colorado LLC includes the annual report fee ($10), and a registered agent ($39–$125/yr). Over 5 years, the estimated total cost is $285.

Does Colorado have a franchise tax for LLCs?

No. Colorado does not impose a franchise tax or entity-level tax on standard domestic LLCs. This makes Colorado one of the more affordable states for LLC maintenance.

Can I form an LLC in Colorado if I live in another state?

Yes, you can form a domestic LLC in Colorado regardless of where you live. However, if your principal business operations are in a different state, you will also need to register as a Foreign LLC in that state. In Colorado, foreign LLC registration costs $100 plus $10/year in ongoing fees — often resulting in paying double.

Source: Colorado Secretary of State • Updated 2026View our methodology →

Compare Colorado with Rival & Neighboring States

Evaluating formation options? Review fee structures in competing jurisdictions:

Multi-State Comparer