How Do I Register A Dba In Colorado

How to File a DBA in Colorado

AColorado DBA (doing business as) is called a trade name. Colorado trade name registration allows a business organization to operate nether a name that's different from its legal proper name.

DBA registration won't protect your personal assets similar forming an LLC or corporation volition. Learn why in our DBA vs LLC guide.

Or, use a professional DBA service:

MyCompanyWorks($99 + state fee)

Swyft Filings($99 + state fee)

A person holding a tablet displaying "your name is your brand" File a DBA.

Last Updated: 2022-03-28

Colorado Merchandise Proper noun Registration

Registering a Colorado trade name, also known as a DBA, is easy!

LarnHow to File a DBA in Colorado yourself in two steps:

Start with a Colorado Trade Name Search
Annals Your Colorado DBA

Note:A DBA is but used for branding. We recommend forming an LLC to separate your business and personal assets.

Step ane: Beginning with a Colorado Trade Proper noun Search

Your Colorado trade name must exist unique and must also meet Colorado'southward business name requirements.

First, visit the Colorado Name Availability Search website and search for your new DBA name to make sure it isn't already in apply.

Next, review the Colorado naming requirements. In Colorado, your trade name should not include:

Whatever term that would violate whatever Colorado law. For example, your business proper name cannot include obscenities or references to illegal activities.
Words that could misfile your business with a government agency (FBI, Treasury, State Department, etc.).

We recommend checking if your name is available as a web domain (URL). You might not plan on starting a business website today, but you may want to forbid others from acquiring your URL.

Find a Domain Now

Once you reserve a domain name for your DBA, consider setting upwardly a business organisation telephone system to help strengthen your customer service and boost credibility. We recommend Phone.com because of its affordable pricing and variety of useful features. Outset calling with Phone.com.

Demand Help Creating a Brand Name and Logo?

If you need assist coming up with a DBA proper noun, try our business organisation proper noun generator. Then, create a unique logo for your brand with our costless logo generator.

Step two: Annals Your Colorado DBA

Your Colorado trade proper name must be filed online with the Secretary of State. You can file on the Secretary of State'south website. At that place are different forms depending on your business structure (corporation, LLC, partnership, etc.).

Some important information to include on the form includes:

The merchandise name itself
A description of the business
The effective appointment of the trade proper noun

A DBA does non offering any legal protection for your personal assets in the upshot that your business is sued. For more data on setting up a limited liability company, visit our How to Form an LLC page and select your state.

File a Colorado Merchandise Name

File Online With the Colorado Secretarial assistant of State

Cost:
$20 Filing Fee

File Online

Manage Your Colorado Trade Proper name

Full general Questions
Telephone call the Colorado Secretary of Land's office: (303) 894-2200 or (855) 428-3555 (toll-costless)

Renew Your Trade Name With the State
Trade names for sole proprietorships and partnerships in Colorado expire on the first day of the month after the i-year anniversary of the filing. For example, if a merchandise name was registered on October 10, information technology would expire on November 1 of the following yr.

Trade names demand to be renewed online before the expiration appointment. They can be renewed at whatever point during the three months prior to the expiration date. The renewal fee is $five.

Trade names for LLCs and corporations do not elapse as long equally the company remains in good standing. If the company falls out of skilful standing, the trade name will expire later on ane year. If the company gets back to adept standing, the trade name expiration date volition exist canceled.

If your trade name expires and you would like to utilize it once again, you lot volition have to file a new registration form.

Change Your Trade Proper noun
You lot tin can make changes or corrections to your trade name registration online. The fee is $ten.

Withdraw Your Trade Name
You tin can withdraw your Colorado trade name online. The fee is $ten.

After Filing Your Colorado DBA

If filing a DBA marks the beginning of your business journeying, then there are a few more steps that yous should have before getting started:

Create your Business's Website - Every business needs a website. Luckily, drag-and-drop builders like GoDaddy and Wix make the task quick and easy. Check out our Best Website Builder article to find the tool that's all-time for you.
Go your Business Finances in Order - Yous'll need to separate your business finances from your personal ones. This is accomplished by opening a business bank account. If your business organisation has long pb times or other greenbacks catamenia irregularities, you can also await into a business organisation credit menu.
Protect Your Business - While an LLC will help to protect your personal avails in the instance of a lawsuit, your business'southward assets also need protection. Having the right business concern insurance will ensure that you're covered if the worst happens. Almost businesses start with general liability insurance as their base coverage.

Need Assistance Filing Your Colorado DBA?

Accept a Professional Service File Your Colorado DBA For You

A professional service will handle filing your DBA on your behalf, allowing you to focus on the other needs of your business organisation.

Recommended: MyCompanyWorks ($99 + state fee)

DBA Colorado FAQ

How many DBAs can I have?

Y'all can have every bit many DBAs every bit yous can afford to create and are able to go on runway of. Each 1 comes with additional incremental expenses and paperwork, significant more than is not necessarily better.

Can a DBA get an EIN or Taxation ID?

DBAs aren't required to have a divide EIN because DBAs aren't a business entity. The business entity that the DBA is nether would have an EIN if an EIN is required.

To larn more about EINs and when you need one for your business, read our What is an EIN guide.

Can a DBA become an LLC?

No. An LLC is a business organization entity, while a DBA is just a name for a business.

Sole proprietorships are oft confused with DBAs, but they are not the same: a sole proprietorship is a business concern entity, therefore information technology can choose to become an LLC.

To learn how to form an LLC, visit our Form an LLC country guides.

Can a DBA take Inc. in the name?

A DBA can just have Inc. in the name if the business organization entity the DBA is attached to is a corporation.

How do I set up a DBA for a rental holding?

Holding a rental property in your name and with a DBA will non afford you whatever protection. The best option is to form an LLC to protect your personal avails in the result of an issue with the rental belongings. In any case, it is always all-time to consult an attorney.

When would information technology be good to become a DBA versus a legal name modify?

Getting a DBA is often a better choice than changing your business'due south legal name. If you want to rebrand your company or focus on some other line of business, filing for a DBA is a simpler process than filing for a legal name modify.

Is my DBA protected from being used in other places?

Some state-level laws prevent DBAs that are too like to existing ones from being used, but this varies from state to land. Information technology is possible to trademark a DBA, which would offer stronger protection across state lines.

Useful Links For Your Colorado DBA

Colorado Trade Name FAQs
Colorado Trade Proper noun Forms
Colorado Business concern Fees
What is a Sole Proprietorship?
What is an LLC?

Colorado Business Resource