Colorado LLC cost (2026)
Startup, filing, and ongoing fees for a Colorado LLC — with a full breakdown, a five-year projection, and a free calculator that's already set to Colorado.
Last reviewed: June 2026
How much does an LLC cost in Colorado?
Forming an LLC in Colorado costs $50 to file your Articles of Organization with the Colorado Secretary of State — one of the lowest LLC filing fees in the country (the national average is about $129), which ranks Colorado the 4th cheapest of 51 states to file in. Do it yourself and a realistic first-year total lands near $75; hire a registered agent and budget around $200.
Beyond the one-time filing fee, Colorado charges about $25 for its annual report — so the honest cost of an Colorado LLC is the filing fee plus that recurring amount every year. Remember that these are formation and compliance costs only — Colorado's state income tax on your pass-through profit is separate. The full breakdown, a five-year projection, and a personalized estimator are below.
Colorado LLC cost breakdown (2026)
Every cost of forming and maintaining a Colorado LLC — what's required, what's optional, and what each item runs.
| Cost | Amount | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado filing fee (Articles of Organization) | $50 | One-time | One-time, paid to the Secretary of State when you form the LLC. |
| Annual report | $25/yr | Recurring | Colorado requires a periodic report (about $25 per year). |
| Registered agent | $0–$125/yr | Optional | Free if you act as your own agent; a service adds privacy and reliability. |
| Operating agreement | $0–$200 | Optional | Free with a DIY template, or more through a legal service. |
| EIN (federal tax ID) | Free | One-time | Issued directly by the IRS — never pay a third party for this. |
What a Colorado LLC really costs: 3 scenarios
The right number depends on how much you do yourself. Here's the realistic first-year cost for the three most common approaches.
$50 filing + $25 ongoing. You act as your own registered agent and use a free EIN and operating-agreement template.
Adds ~$125/yr for a registered agent service — the usual choice for privacy or if you're often away from your Colorado address.
A formation company files for you and bundles the agent; base packages are often $0 + the $50 state fee, with paid tiers for extras.
5-year cost of a Colorado LLC
One-time fees are easy to forget once you're running. Here's the cumulative cost of a Colorado LLC over five years, assuming you use a registered agent service (~$150/yr ongoing).
| Period | Cost that year | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $200 | $200 |
| Year 2 | $150 | $350 |
| Year 3 | $150 | $500 |
| Year 4 | $150 | $650 |
| Year 5 | $150 | $800 |
Acting as your own registered agent removes the ~$125/yr agent line, lowering the five-year total to about $175.
Colorado LLC cost calculator
Get a personalized estimate for your situation. Your state is already set to Colorado — just choose the services you need.
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Can you lower the cost?
The two biggest levers are being your own registered agent (saves ~$125/yr) and getting your EIN free from the IRS instead of paying for it. If you operate in Colorado, forming here is usually cheapest overall — forming in another state typically forces you to register (and pay) in Colorado anyway.
Compare Colorado costs with other statesFrequently asked questions
The core cost is the $50 Colorado filing fee for your Articles of Organization. A do-it-yourself first year totals about $75; adding a registered agent service brings it to roughly $200. An EIN from the IRS is free.
Related guides
This tool provides educational estimates and general guidance only. It is not legal, tax, accounting, or financial advice. Always verify requirements with official government sources or consult a qualified professional before making decisions.
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