How to Find the Best Registered Agent in Colorado

Last updated: March 17th, 2024
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This guide will help you find the best registered agent in Colorado. We’ll explore key factors to consider, evaluate top providers, and equip you with the knowledge to make an informed decision for your business’s registered agent needs.

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What is a Colorado registered agent?

All formal businesses in Colorado must appoint and maintain a registered agent. A registered agent in Colorado is an individual or business entity responsible for receiving official correspondence and service of process. In other words, a registered agent in Colorado is the point of contact for a company.

The agent or service must be available to receive important documents during regular business hours, including:

Physical address means physical presence

Colorado state law requires a registered agent to have a physical address, which means the agent has a physical presence in the state.

The agent’s or service’s street address becomes a public record rather than the business owner’s.

A registered agent is your contact person

As the point of contact in Colorado, a registered agent accepts service of process.

Without a registered agent, a company risks failing to respond to lawsuits. Failure to respond to a lawsuit within 63 days in Colorado can result in a default judgment, and the state can bar you from doing business in Colorado again.

An agent saves time and energy

In Colorado, an organization must appoint a registered agent. But, it has the bonus of freeing up a business owner’s time to focus on other business-related.

For instance, an agent will remind you when the periodic report fee is due, help you submit the correct forms, and pay the fees on time.

Cost of a registered agent in Colorado

A registered agent service in Colorado costs between $50 to $500 a year. You can appoint yourself as your own registered agent for the company for free.

A registered agent in Colorado must be at least 18 years old and have a physical address. A business owner can appoint a family member or trusted friend as the registered agent if they meet Colorado registered agent requirements.

LLCs in Colorado use professional registered agent services to avoid late fees and fines and remain in good standing.

When to appoint a registered agent

According to the Colorado Secretary of State, all companies must appoint a registered agent when they submit the LLC’s Articles of Organization. The Articles of Organization are the formation documents for an LLC in Colorado.

Corporations in Colorado will list the registered agent when submitting the Articles of Incorporation for a profit corporation.

All business structures in Colorado must appoint a registered agent during business formation.

Other business structures include:

  • Sole proprietorships
  • Partnerships
  • Nonprofit

How does a Colorado LLC appoint a registered agent?

You will file the LLC’s Articles of organization with the Colorado Secretary of State.

1
File the Articles of Organization online

You will use the Colorado Secretary of State website to file the LLC’s Articles of Organization.

Colorado does not offer paper-form options.

2
Appoint your registered agent

You will provide the registered agent information using the Articles of Organization form.

  • Registered agent name
  • Registered agent address
  • Registered agent consent

3
Registered agent must consent to the appointment

According to the Colorado Secretary of State, a registered agent must agree to the appointment. The agent or service must complete and submit the statement of change changing the registered agent’s information online.

The consent of appointment is submitted along with the statement of change form. Colorado does not charge for the consent form.

The registered agent consent form will ask you to provide information.

  • Your LLC name
  • Name of the registered agent
  • New registered agent’s signature

Colorado does not charge a fee to file the registered agent consent form.

4
Pay Colorado filing fees

The state filing for Colorado Articles of Organization is $50.

From July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023, the fee for filing LLC formation documents is $1.

Colorado doesn’t offer any expedited LLC services.

The cost to file the Articles of Organization in Colorado is $50. From July 1, 2022 to June 30 2023, filing the Articles of Organization only costs $1.

How to change your registered agent in Colorado

Business organizations may want to change registered agents due to the agent retiring or going out of business or if the owner chooses to appoint themselves as a registered agent.

Submit the change of registered agent online

You will complete and submit the statement of change changing the registered agent form to the Colorado Secretary of State to switch registered agents.

  • The online form is where you will list the address change.
  • You can only file the change of registered agent online.
  • The Colorado Secretary of State processes the forms immediately upon receiving them.
  • The filing fee for the statement of change is $10 and is payable with a credit card.

The cost to change a company’s registered agent in Colorado is $10.

Submit the change on the periodic report

You can change your registered agent for free if you file it within the filing period for the periodic report. It can only be done during that window of time. 

You file the periodic report with the corrected registered agent information online with the Colorado Secretary of State.

How to withdraw consent to be a registered agent in Colorado

The state of Colorado requires written notice of resignation to withdraw consent.

You will also file the statement of change regarding your resignation online using the Colorado Secretary of State website.

Benefits of appointing a registered agent in Colorado

  • You remain in good standing

You will get notifications when documents like the periodic report come due. The registered agent will then help you file the correct paperwork online to avoid becoming non-compliant in Colorado.

A company has 60 days to file the periodic report or face becoming delinquent, which can result in penalties and involuntary dissolution.

  • You keep your private office address private

In Colorado, public records are searchable using the Colorado Business Database Search.

Anyone can search the database by business name, trade name, or ID number.

By appointing a registered agent in Colorado, the registered office address of the agent becomes a listed public record, while your business address remains private.

  • You gain peace of mind

If a lawsuit happens, a process server can show up with legal notices or a subpoena at your office from a law firm.

A registered agent in Colorado receives subpoenas and other legal notices from a process service instead of in front of employees or customers.

  • You can work a flexible schedule

According to Colorado code § 6-16-112, a registered agent must work regular business hours Monday through Friday.

A business owner is responsible for that availability when they appoint themselves as the registered agent.

A registered agent service in Colorado is available during normal business hours because the resident agents on staff are prepared to receive official correspondence, allowing you to work when you want.

  • You can access your Colorado Articles of Organization

The Articles or Organization and Certificate of Good Standing will be available online to access anytime.

Having fast access to essential documents makes opening a business bank account and applying for business loans more accessible and quicker.

  • You can expand to different states

You must appoint a registered agent when you decide to expand into other states and form a foreign LLC.

FAQs

How long does it take Colorado to process Articles of Organization?

It takes the Colorado Secretary of State 7 to 10 days to process an LLC’s Articles of Organization. The state does offer expedited fees that cut down that time to 3 business days.

What is the purpose of a registered agent in Colorado?

You must remain in good standing in Colorado to continue to do business. A registered agent helps you stay compliant by reminding you when the periodic report is due and enables you to file the correct tax forms.

How do I add a registered agent to my LLC in Colorado?

You will use the statement of change changing registered agent form and submit it to the Colorado Secretary of State along with the $10 filing fee.

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