Colorado LLC Cost (2026)
See Colorado LLC costs in 2026, including state filing fees, recurring fees, registered agent, EIN, taxes, licenses, and common add-on costs.
LLC Route Editorial Team
Reviewed against official state and federal resources.
Updated July 27, 2026
Educational guide, not legal or tax advice.
Colorado LLC cost is relatively simple at the Secretary of State level: the Articles of Organization are $50 and the periodic report is $25. The parts that usually make the total cost higher are registered agent service, sales tax licensing, employer setup, city licenses, and industry permits.
Educational note: This guide is for general informational purposes only. It is not legal, tax, accounting, or financial advice. Confirm current requirements with the Colorado Secretary of State, Colorado Department of Revenue, local agencies, IRS, and qualified professionals.
Most people need this first
| If you are trying to decide… | Short answer |
|---|---|
| What is the basic Colorado LLC filing fee? | $50 for Articles of Organization |
| What is the annual state filing? | $25 periodic report |
| What is the late periodic report penalty? | $50 |
| Is a registered agent required? | Yes, with a Colorado street address and consent |
| Is name reservation required? | No, but it is available for $25 |
| Is EIN included in the state filing? | No. EIN is separate and free from the IRS |
| Does sales tax registration cost extra? | Often yes. DOR lists prorated license fees plus a possible $50 new-account deposit |
For many Colorado LLCs, the practical order is:
Search name -> choose registered agent -> file Articles -> create operating agreement -> get EIN if needed -> register for sales tax, employer tax, and local permits if required -> calendar the periodic report
Colorado LLC cost at a glance
| Cost or requirement | Amount | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization | $50 | Main formation filing with Colorado Secretary of State |
| Periodic report | $25 | Due every year in the reporting window |
| Late periodic report penalty | $50 | Can apply if the report is late |
| Name reservation | $25 | Optional; many filers just search and file |
| Registered agent change | $10 | If agent information changes outside the report |
| EIN | $0 | Free from the IRS if requested directly |
| Colorado sales tax license | $16 / $12 / $8 / $4 | Prorated by when you apply in the two-year cycle |
| New sales tax account deposit | $50 | DOR says it is refunded after the business collects and remits $50 in state sales tax |
| Local licenses | Varies | City, county, home-rule, and industry rules can apply |
Formation filing cost
Colorado Secretary of State’s business fee schedule lists $50 for LLC Articles of Organization. Colorado filing is normally online through the Secretary of State system; the fee schedule shows no paper fee for the domestic LLC Articles line.
The $50 creates the Colorado LLC. It does not include an EIN, registered agent service, sales tax license, city license, payroll registration, professional license, or any service-company package.
Ongoing Colorado state filing cost
Colorado LLCs file a periodic report every year. The fee schedule lists:
| Filing | Fee |
|---|---|
| Periodic Report | $25 |
| Periodic Report Late Filing Penalty | $50 |
The report is not a tax return. It updates basic entity information and registered agent details in the Secretary of State record.
Sales tax license cost
If the LLC makes taxable retail sales in Colorado, it may need a Colorado sales tax license. For 2026, Colorado DOR’s standard retail license table lists $16 for January-June of an even-numbered year and $12 for July-December of an even-numbered year. New accounts also generally submit a $50 sales tax deposit with the application.
This is separate from the LLC formation fee. It is also separate from local sales tax obligations, especially in Colorado home-rule jurisdictions.
Common cost mistakes
Treating $50 as the all-in price
$50 is the state formation filing. It is not the total operating cost for every business.
Forgetting the periodic report window
The periodic report is small, but a missed report can create a late penalty and delinquent status issues.
Assuming a registered agent service forms the LLC
Registered agent service is only the service-of-process address/recipient role unless the provider also sells formation filing as a separate service.
Ignoring city and home-rule tax rules
Colorado local tax can be more complicated than the state LLC filing. Check where you sell, deliver, hire, or keep a physical location.
Cost FAQ
How much does it cost to start a Colorado LLC?
The Colorado Secretary of State Articles of Organization filing fee is $50. Registered agent service, sales tax license, employer registration, local licenses, and professional permits may add cost.
How much is the Colorado LLC annual report?
Colorado calls it a periodic report. The fee schedule lists the periodic report at $25 and the late filing penalty at $50.
Does Colorado charge an LLC franchise tax?
Colorado does not have a separate Secretary-of-State LLC franchise tax like Delaware’s $300 annual tax. Taxes depend on income, sales, payroll, and business activity.
Is the EIN free?
Yes, if obtained directly from the IRS.
Official resources
- Colorado Secretary of State business fee schedule
- Colorado Secretary of State file a document
- Colorado periodic report help
- Colorado Department of Revenue standard retail license
- IRS EIN application
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