If you're interested in creating a business in Colorado, you will need to choose a unique name (and a registered agent) for your business that fulfills all necessary requirements. You can verify that your chosen name isn’t already taken with the Colorado Secretary of State’s business search tool.
How Do I Look Up a Business in Colorado?
The best method to start your name selecting process is with an LLC search conducted through the Secretary of State website. Whether you have a specific name in mind or just a general idea, the site offers a free search tool that contains the names of all registered businesses in Colorado to check against, as well as useful information to guide your LLC formation.
How Do I Find Out if a Business Name Is Available in Colorado?
There are a few steps you will want to complete in your Colorado LLC naming process. For starters, you will want to pick a name that is appropriate for use. There are guidelines for LLCs that specify what must be included in a name. Your LLC name must include the signifier "LLC", "L.L.C.", "LC", or "L.C.". This tells the world and your customers that they are not dealing with you as an individual, but as a properly formed legal entity.
Next, you will want to conduct an LLC name search using the Colorado Secretary of State website to see if the name you want to use is already being used. The name you choose must be unique to your company. The search tool that is available on the Colorado Secretary of State webpage is free to use and contains all the registered names currently in use. Start broadly with your basic name, then add and cycle through the different LLC signifiers to ensure that your name is in fact available.
Finally, as an optional third step, you may want to check if the domain name for your LLC's website is available. For some this won't be a necessary step, but if your LLC will require a web presence you will want to make sure your company name and website name are similar. For those who are not yet certain if they will need a website or if you have plans to add a web presence sometime in the future, you will want to purchase your desired domain name sooner rather than later. This is because someone may try to buy a website with your company's name if your company starts to do well.
If you have chosen an appropriate name for your business and are interested in the next necessary steps to forming your Colorado LLC, consider enlisting the help of our LLC Formation Service or read up on drafting your Articles of Incorporation.
How do I look up a business in Colorado?
Typically, business entity searches are conducted in order to obtain information on registered businesses. For example, the following information can be obtained:
- If the business has been legally formed in the state.
- If the business is in good standing with the state.
- The address of the business.
- The name and address of the registered agent
How Do I Find Out Who Owns a Business in Colorado?
Colorado is one of the few states which allows for anonymous LLC and Corporation formations. That is, the members of an LLC or shareholders of a Corporation are not required to be listed on the Secretary of State's website. The owners are sometimes listed, but if they're not, then you're best chance is to contact the registered agent for additional information.
How Do I Get a Certificate of Good Standing in Colorado?
The business entity search tool can also perform administrative functions for your Colorado company. For example, this tool allows you to easily obtain a Certificate of Good Standing, if it's required by a bank or other company which needs proof your company is in good standing. You may also file your LLC's annual reports, also known as periodic reports, change your company name or switch registered agents.
Let us know if you have any questions or require assistance in forming your LLC. We are well-versed on the formation process in Colorado and can provide you with expert assistance. Additionally, we can help you file your articles of incorporation. If you elect for us to serve as your registered agent, we can also file future periodic reports, which are a requirement for maintaining good standing in Colorado. If you’re interested in registering a foreign LLC or corporation in Colorado, we can help with that to.
