Key Takeaways

  • Colorado requires registration of a DBA (Doing Business As) or trade name through the Secretary of State’s website.
  • Sole proprietors and general partnerships must renew their Colorado DBA annually; LLCs and corporations are exempt if in good standing.
  • Colorado does not require DBAs to be unique, but name availability can still be searched.
  • Registering a DBA allows the use of the name publicly but does not provide trademark protection.
  • Trade name cancellation, updates, and renewals can be done online.
  • DBAs must reflect truth in advertising and cannot mislead consumers under the Colorado Consumer Protection Act.
  • No publication requirement exists for a Colorado DBA.

Filing a DBA in Colorado can be simple to do and gives you the freedom to do business in the state. A DBA, short for Doing Business As, is a fictitious name that can be used as another moniker for your business entity. To use the name in Colorado, you must have it registered with the secretary of state to avoid fines. While it may not give your name protection from others in the s`tate using it, registering the trade name will allow you to use it freely. The state may be able to offer your DBA some protection from a federal trademark through the Colorado Consumer Protection Act.

Who Must File a DBA?

If you plan to operate your business in Colorado under a different name, you must register it with the state. However, if you run a nonprofit entity and filed the Articles of Incorporation with the state, you may not have to register a trade name.

How to File a DBA in Colorado

  • Verify your DBA name. In Colorado, your DBA does not have to be different from other registered entities. If you want it to be different, you can do a name search to see if it's in use. You may call the county recorder or visit the website to search registered names.
  • Download and complete the registration form. Colorado doesn't require you to print out forms for registering a DBA; everything can be done online. All you have to do is visit the Colorado secretary of state website, find the trade name filing page, and choose your business entity. After selecting the type of business entity, you will be asked to fill in details about yourself and the company, such as your name, the trade name you're registering, and what the business is for. You may be able to choose if you want the name to be in use immediately or set a future effective date.
  • Submit online. After checking that all the information on the application is correct, you can submit your application, where it will then ask for payment of the filing fee. Any major credit card will do for payment. If you would like to use the DBA on property, you will have to get an affidavit from the secretary of state and file it with the county clerk.

What Is the Timeframe of a Trade Name or a DBA?

Your business entity type will determine how long your trade name will be valid for before renewal is required. For a general partnership or sole proprietorship, a trade name should be renewed every year. This can be done as early as three months before the name expires. Corporations and LLCs, however, do not need to renew the DBA while the business is in good standing. However, if the business enters delinquency, they only have a year of protection before having to renew the DBA.

Do You Have to Publish Your DBA's Registration in Colorado?

Colorado does not need you to publish the registration of your DBA.

Maintaining and Updating a Colorado DBA

Once your Colorado DBA is registered, it's important to maintain its active status and ensure the information remains up to date. You can amend or cancel a trade name filing directly through the Colorado Secretary of State’s website. If the business changes its address, ownership, or dissolves, the trade name must be updated or withdrawn accordingly.

To cancel a DBA:

  • Go to the Secretary of State website
  • Look up your trade name record
  • Select the “Cancel” option and pay a small fee, if applicable

Changes to a registered DBA, such as business address updates, can also be completed online through a Statement of Change or other relevant forms. Keeping records current ensures compliance and reduces the risk of administrative dissolution or delays in business operations.

Colorado Business Facts

  • The state is known as The Centennial State because it joined the United States 100 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
  • Denver is home to the cheeseburger, which was trademarked in 1935 to Louis Ballast.
  • The United States government owns one-third of the land in the state.
  • It is the eighth largest state based on land area.
  • Colorado is known for being a huge mining state due to its richness in minerals, coal, and natural gas.
  • The state's major industries include tourism, professional services, and real estate.

Colorado Statistics

The state has more than 50,000 small businesses that employ 1 million people. This is about half of Colorado's workforce. Around 98 percent of the private companies in the state are considered small businesses. The Denver tech scene is growing, while the cost of living in the state is less than others. Startup resources and help in raising capital are offered in Boulder and Denver. Some major companies in the state include Coors, Frontier Airlines, and Aimco.

Cost to Register a Colorado DBA

The cost to register a Colorado DBA is relatively low compared to other states. As of the latest filing guidelines, the registration fee for a trade name is $20. This fee must be paid at the time of online submission using a major credit or debit card. While there are no additional costs for standard filing, late renewals or amendments may incur additional charges. The affordable fee structure makes it easy for small businesses and entrepreneurs to establish and operate under a different name.

Limitations of a Colorado DBA

Registering a DBA in Colorado does not create a separate legal entity or protect the name from being used by others. Unlike trademarks, a DBA only grants permission to operate under that name—it does not give you exclusive rights. Additionally:

  • A DBA cannot contain misleading terms such as "Inc." or "LLC" unless the business is registered as such.
  • The trade name must not imply a government affiliation or professional licensing without appropriate authorization.
  • Using a trade name in violation of these rules could result in rejection, penalties, or legal issues under the Colorado Consumer Protection Act.

Benefits of Filing a Colorado DBA

Filing a Colorado DBA can offer several strategic advantages for entrepreneurs and business owners:

  • Brand Flexibility: Operate multiple business ventures under different names without forming separate legal entities.
  • Customer Recognition: Market your products or services using a name that resonates more effectively with your target audience.
  • Banking Access: Most financial institutions require a registered DBA before opening a business bank account under a trade name.
  • Professionalism: Having a registered DBA lends credibility when working with vendors or clients.

While it doesn't provide liability protection or name exclusivity, it enables smoother business transactions and public-facing operations.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. 1. Do I need a separate EIN for my Colorado DBA?
    No, a DBA does not require a separate EIN. Your business's existing EIN or SSN can be used, depending on the structure.
  2. 2. Can multiple DBAs be registered under one LLC in Colorado?
    Yes. An LLC can register more than one DBA, but each name must be filed individually and maintained separately.
  3. 3. How do I renew a DBA in Colorado?
    Sole proprietors and partnerships must renew annually online. Corporations and LLCs do not need to renew as long as they're in good standing.
  4. 4. What happens if I don’t renew my DBA?
    If not renewed, your trade name will become delinquent and may eventually be marked expired or cancelled, making it unusable.
  5. 5. Can I transfer a DBA to another owner or business?
    Colorado does not allow the transfer of a DBA. The new owner must cancel the current trade name and register it again under their business.

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