If you’re planning to start a business in Colorado using a specific name, you may need to register for a business name. Business name registration is commonly referred to as a Colorado DBA, “Doing Business As,” or Fictitious Business Name, but is officially called a Trade Name.
To see if you need to register for a Colorado Trade Name and steps on how to register, check out our guide.
Related: Starting A Business In Colorado Checklist
Who needs to register for a Colorado Trade Name?
Under Colorado State Statute CRS 7-71-101, a Trade Name is required for Colorado businesses that want to operate under a name that is different from the legal name of the owners or entity.1 The DBA registration provides information on the people operating a business, so if there is an issue, the owners of a business can be tracked down.
In addition to the legal requirement, a DBA offers other benefits such as proving the existence of a business, opening a business bank account, registering a merchant account to accept credit cards, and more.
The requirements and need to register for a Trade Name are regulated under Colorado law and vary depending on the type of business structure. Any company conducting business under a fictitious name must register within 60 days of starting it.
Sole proprietorships and general partnerships are the most common entities to register for a DBA. The legal name of a sole proprietor or partnership can be the individual’s full first and last name, which doesn’t get registered in Colorado. Using the owner’s name as the business name works for many self-employed business owners, however many entrepreneurs want to operate under a distinct and brandable business name.
For example, if Jeremy Smith starts a small business detailing cars in Colorado and operates under his name, he doesn’t need to register. However, if Jeremy decides to name his business Smith Detailing, he will need to register.
Additionally, suppose the DBA is going to hold real estate. In that case, an affidavit will need to be obtained from the Colorado Secretary of State2 and filed with the County Clerk in the county where the business is located.
Related: How To Start A Sole Proprietorship In Colorado
A corporation and Limited Liability Company won’t typically register for a Colorado DBA since a unique entity name is created during the entity formation process. However, some will want to register for a DBA if they have another business or brand name they want to operate in addition to the legal name of the business. This can allow multiple businesses to operate with the liability protection of a Colorado corporation or Limited Liability Company without forming another entity.
What are the steps to file a Trade Name in Colorado?
Step 1: Fill out the Colorado Trade Name Registration Form
The Trade Name filing form is filed online with the Colorado Secretary of State.
Information required on the form includes:
- Type of business entity. The most common ones for our purposes include Individual (sole proprietorship), Non-Reporting Entity (general partnership), Reporting Entity (Corporation, LLC), and Domestic Limited Partnership
- Name of the person requesting the name (often the owner)
- Physical and mailing business address
- Trade Name being requested (unlike many states, a Colorado Trade Name search is not necessary)
- Description of what the business does
- Option to delay the effective date (used when the business won’t start for up to 90 days, but the name can be registered now).
- Email address
- Address of the person submitting the registration.
Step 2: Review and File
Review that the information is correct and click “Pay Now” to pay the filing fee.
If you have questions about the registration process, contact the Colorado Secretary of State – Department of State
Walk in:
Hours: 8 am – 5 pm
1700 Broadway, Suite 200
Denver, CO 80290
Phone: 855-428-3555
Colorado DBA FAQs
How much does a Colorado Trade Name cost?
The cost to register a Trade Name in Colorado is $20.
How long is a DBA good for in Colorado?
Renewal of Trade Names is required for sole proprietorships and general partnerships. Unless a Statement of Trade Name Renewal is filed, the name will expire on the first day following the anniversary month of the original filing. For example, if the Trade Name were registered on June 15, 2024, the expiration date would be July 1, 2025.
The Trade Name renewal fee is $5.
As long as the Corporation or LLC is in good standing, they do not have to renew.
Are there any naming restrictions when filing a Colorado DBA?
There are a few restrictions when registering a Trade Name.
Entity designators such as Corp, Corporation, LLC, Limited Liability Company, etc., can’t be used unless the entity is registered as that type of entity with the Secretary of State.
The words Bank, Trust, Credit Union, etc., can’t be used unless the business is registered to provide banking services.
Also, a business name can’t have obscenities, reference illegal activities, or be confused with a government agency, such as the Treasury, FBI, State Department, etc.)
Can someone use my business name after registering a Colorado DBA?
While registering your Trade Name will keep someone else from registering the exact same name in Colorado, it does very little to stop someone else from operating a business under that name in other states.
If stopping others from using your business name is important, you can protect it through a federal trademark through the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office.
Learn more about trademarking a business name
Does a DBA need an EIN?
An EIN or Employer Identification Number (also informally called a business tax ID number) is a unique nine-digit number that some businesses will register for through the Internal Revenue Department (IRS). An EIN is required for partnerships, corporations, multi-member LLCs, or any business with employees.
Sole proprietorships and single-member LLCs without employees can use the owner’s social security number to identify the business.
There is no cost to get an EIN when registering directly from the IRS.
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