Our free guide provides you with all of the information you'll need to file your DBA in Colorado. Bookmark this page as a reference so you can return easily as you complete each step of the process.
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Filing a DBA (also known as Doing Business As) allows you to operate and receive payments under a name that is different from your legal business name. This helps you create an identity for your business that presents it in a professional light to customers and vendors, while allowing customers to write you checks and make payments directly to the business name you have chosen. Follow our step by step guide or let us handle the paperwork on your behalf, ensuring your business is filed quickly and accurately.
File a Colorado DBA for just $129 + state fees
or scroll down to our guideColorado ranks as number 10 in the overall best states in the United States to do business in, according to a 2019 WalletHub survey. The Centennial State also maintains an A grade in its small business friendliness and ease of starting a business. The entrepreneurial spirit is so alive in Colorado that the state's former and current governor were serial entrepreneurs turned politicians!
MyCorporation® can help you file all of the necessary documents to file your
DBA in Colorado.Our free guide provides you with all of the information you'll need to file your DBA in Colorado. Bookmark this page as a reference so you can return easily as you complete each step of the process.
Use Our Free GuideOur filing experts can get you up and running quickly and accurately, completing the required filings on your behalf.
Are you looking for another entity type? We offer several other guides for the state of Colorado.
For those unfamiliar with the acronym, DBA stands for "doing business as." Colorado also refers to a DBA as a trade name or an assumed name. No matter which type of business structure you have incorporated as, whether it's a sole proprietor, partnership, corporation, or LLC, if you plan to operate your business under a name different than your real name or an existing corporate name, then you need to file a DBA.
Here are a few additional benefits you'll receive by registering a fictitious name in Colorado:
The first step is determining if a DBA is right for you. There are a few common situations where registering a DBA makes the most sense:
The next important step seems obvious: you'll need to decide on a name to register. Here are a few rules to keep in mind as you come up with a name in Colorado.
There are a few approaches you can take once you have chosen a name that meets the guidelines listed above in order to determine if the name is available to register. You may first look up the trade name in a filing search using tools provided from the Colorado Secretary of State. Another, more reliable approach is to conduct a Colorado DBA name search. MyCorporation may complete a thorough fictitious name search on your behalf, and report back the findings to help you avoid unnecessary rejections.
Now that you have determined the name is available for registration, and you've determined your business' classification, it's time to complete the trade name filing using the forms provided by the Colorado Secretary of State to file a Statement of Trade Name online. It is important that you file your DBA in the county of the principal place of business. Most Colorado counties require the following information in their applications:
Once you have completed the trade name application, you will submit it for online approval. The filing fee for registering a trade name is $20. According to the Colorado Secretary of State, DBA processing times run typically 3-5 business days. All orders are processed in the order they are received.
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File a DBAWe hope you find this detailed list of steps makes the process of registering a doing business as name (DBA) a bit more simplified for you. However, we understand that filing a DBA for your business can be confusing and time-consuming process. That's why MyCorporation offers DBA filing services for businesses all across the state of Colorado.
Our experts will complete the forms for your county, check its registration status, and even publish the DBA notice where required. All you need do is sign and return a few documents in our prelabeled envelope. You'll receive the approval and publication certificate for your records without any heavy lifting.
We make filing a DBA easy.
Operate your business under your business name, open a bank account for your business, and build credibility without all of the hassle. MyCorporation will handle the paperwork for you, so you can focus on building your business.
Start My DBA FilingNo. A business license is required of all businesses, whereas a DBA is required only if the business is operating under a name different from the name of the owner.
In Colorado, all businesses are required to file for a general business license (sometimes referred to as a business tax certificate). Business licenses are issued by cities and municipalities, and every city in Colorado differs in their requirements. If you plan on operating your business in multiple cities, you will need to apply for a business license in each location. Some additional permits may be required in addition to a general business license, which may need to be filed with the county or the state. You can find out about the specific licenses applicable to your business by checking with the city offices where you will conduct business, or by using MyCorporation's business license compliance package. Our team of skilled professionals will identify the licenses required by your business and provide you with all the information you need to file.
A DBA does not grant exclusivity for the use of a business name. DBAs identify the business and claim the business's name, but they only claim the name itself. Once you file for a DBA, the name cannot be used by another business on the state level. However, if a business in a different state wanted to register the same DBA as your business, they could so long as no other business in their state had already claimed that name. It is also possible to trademark a DBA. This would offer nationwide protection against infringement.
In the state of Colorado, a DBA must be renewed annually with the Colorado Secretary of State.
Filing a DBA in Colorado will not impact your taxes, as it does not alter your tax status. Only the name you conduct business as will change. The structure of your business is what determines how you will be taxed (sole proprietor, corporation, LLC, etc.), so you will continue to pay taxes as usual after filing a DBA.
If you are not planning to continue using your DBA, it is advised that you consult with the appropriate state agencies to determine the next steps moving forward with your DBA.