Choosing the right registered agent service can help your business flourish from the start and keep everything organized. To help you choose the right agent, we’ve compiled a list of the best Colorado registered agent services that will help keep you compliant with all the state laws and regulations and protect your personal information. Whether you’re looking to expand your business in Colorado or that’s your starting location, we’re certain you’ll find the agent you’re looking for among these recommendations.
Here are our top three choices:
In addition to going over the services and benefits of each of our recommendations, we’ve also included a section where we give you some of our best tips for finding a good registered agent service, as well as a FAQ section where you can find some important answers.
Without further ado, let’s start by defining what a registered agent is and what the criteria are for becoming one.
What Is a Colorado Registered Agent?
A registered agent is a person or a business entity whose role is to receive documents from the state government on your behalf. Regardless of which state you’re conducting your business in, there are several requirements every registered agent needs to fulfil, such as having a physical address, being over 18 years old, and operating and being available during normal business hours.
Does Colorado Require a Registered Agent Service?
Every business formed in Colorado is required to have appointed a registered agent. You can’t complete the formation process of your business without designating one. However, they don’t have any restrictions in terms of whether you appoint yourself that role or an employee/family member, or you opt for a professional registered agent service.
It’s time to delve into our individual recommendations for the best Colorado registered agent service.
| Registered Agent Service | Cost | Office Location |
|---|---|---|
| IncFile | $119 a year | Not stated |
| Northwest | $125 a year | Boulder County |
| ZenBusiness | $199 a year | Not stated |
| Harbor Compliance | $99 a year | Boulder County |
| Colorado LLC Attorney | $49 a year | Denver |
| Legal Inc | $149 a year | Not stated |
| Colorado Registered Agent | $35 a year | Boulder |
| Rapid Registered Agent | $100 a year | Not stated |
| LegalZoom | $299 a year | Not stated |
| InCorp | $87 a year | Brighton |
| CSC Global | $299 a year | Littleton |
1. IncFile
IncFile have successfully helped over 800,000 businesses and have a plethora of happy clients who can vouch for their professionalism and expertise. Here are the tools included with their registered agent services:
- Automatic mail forwarding
- Tailored email and text notifications
- A personalized dashboard
Another impressive aspect of IncFile’s service is that they have thousands of positive reviews online – a clear indicator that their customers are as happy as can be.
If you use their formation services, you’ll get your first year of registered agent services for free. The best part is – they offer a business formation service package for free! You only need to pay your state’s fee and the rest will be covered by them. After your year of free registered agent services is over, it’ll cost you $119 on an annual basis. In addition, you don’t need to worry about any hidden fees or contracts – the price will remain the same year after year.
2. Northwest
Another registered agent service that’s renowned for their expertise and efficiency is Northwest. With over twenty years of experience, they’re a go-to registered agent for many businesses. While their annual fee is slightly higher than that of Harbor Compliance (costing $125 a year), their service comes with many appealing benefits, such as:
- Articles of organization
- Mail forwarding
- Compliance notifications
- Pre-filled state forms
- Annual report reminders
As soon as you sign up for their services, you’ll get access to an online portal where you can view all your received documents.
One of Northwest’s strong suits is its exceptional customer service, which they refer to as Corporate Guides. Their employees are helpful and knowledgeable and can help you face any business-related obstacles.
On top of that, they’re dedicated to protecting the privacy and data of their customers with the help of their Privacy by Default technology.
Northwest also offer other services, such as formation services and incorporation services. If you decide to use their business formation services, you’ll get the first year of registered agent service for free.
Their office is located in Boulder County.
3. ZenBusiness
Rated as the #1 service by names like Forbes and Investopedia, ZenBusiness is an outstanding choice for a registered agent service, especially if you want to grow your business in multiple states. They’ll help you stay compliant and organize your most important documents. With their registered agent package, you get access to perks such as:
- Mail notifications
- Scanned and uploaded documents
- Access to a Colorado physical address
The first year of registered agent service will cost you only $99, but it’s $199 after the first year. While their pricing is slightly higher, the excellent customer support and amazing features make up for it.
In addition, ZenBusiness is dedicated to giving back a percentage of their revenue to entrepreneurs who don’t have the means to open their own businesses. With your purchase, you’ll also be supporting a good cause.
They also offer services like licenses and permits, domain registration, formation services, and incorporation. You’ll receive amazing customer support regardless of which service you choose, so you don’t have to stress over the possibility of needing answers or help.
4. Harbor Compliance
One of the best registered agent services in Colorado you can get your hands on is Harbor Compliance. At the cost-effective price of $99 a year, it boasts many useful services, such as:
- Same-day electronic delivery of your documents
- Immediate access to their registered agent address
- Pre-filled state forms
- User-friendly software
- Customizable notifications
- Report notices
You’ll receive all your documents scanned and uploaded to your online portal, accessible via your online account.
Customers appreciate that there are no additional fees or hidden costs. What’s more, you can get up to a 10% discount if you purchase their services for more than two years. This volume discount option is an excellent way to cut down on your expenses during the formation process of your business.
They’ll also help you stay compliant with all the state laws and regulations by tracking your annual reports and sending you reminders in due time.
Apart from registered agent services, Harbor Compliance also offer business licenses, incorporation services, foreign qualification, and amendments.
Their Colorado office is located in Boulder County.
5. Colorado LLC Attorney
If you want the combination of outstanding service and low price, Colorado LLC Attorney is the way to go. Apart from their affordability, there are many benefits you can expect to get your hands on, such as:
- Compliance reminders
- Filings
- All state fees
The fee for their services is only $49 a year, making them an excellent option for anyone who is just starting their business, or has a low budget to work with. If you use their formation services, you’ll get your first year of registered agent services for free.
If their affordability appeals to you, you can also take a look at some of the other services they offer at an equally affordable price, such as estate planning, probate, virtual office, incorporation, and will creation.
Their office is located in Denver.
6. Legal Inc
Offering nationwide services, Legal Inc are ideal for those who are planning on growing their business across multiple states, or for any entrepreneur who wants a remarkable service at a reasonable price. With their basic package, you can access services such as:
- An online dashboard where you can manage your documents
- Instant document delivery
- Monthly compliance checks
- Scanned and uploaded documents
If you use their 1-5 Entities package, meaning you hire their registered agent services for one to five businesses, it’ll only cost you $149 a year. Additionally, you can take advantage of their volume discounts if your business spans across multiple states and you want to save some money during the formation process of your business. All their customers appreciate their transparency – there are no hidden fees or price increases at renewal, so there’s no need to worry about the possibility of being overcharged.
If you’re in the process of changing your registered agent, Legal Inc are there to help and make your process as seamless and smooth as possible. In addition to registered agent and change of registered agent services, they also offer document renewal, SOP management, entity management, and licence and registration.
7. Colorado Registered Agent
Speaking of affordable registered agent services in Colorado, Colorado Registered Agent, the largest Colorado agent and oldest local service, offers the most competitive prices – their yearly fee will cost you only $35! In return, you’ll get:
- Same-day document delivery
- Real-time report reminders
- Online access to compliance documents
There are no cancellation fees if you cancel at any point, nor any hidden fees at the time of renewal. It’s by far the best option if you’re thinking of starting your business in Colorado and you’re on a low budget.
They also offer many other services at equally competitive prices – their formation service costs $136, whereas their incorporation service costs $185.
The office of Colorado Registered Agent is located in Boulder.
8. Rapid Registered Agent
Another excellent option for a registered agent service in Colorado is Rapid Registered Agent. They’ve been in business since 2007 and they offer a comprehensive list of services.
What we love about Rapid Registered Agent is that you can pay an annual basis, which will cost you $100 a year, and pay on a monthly basis, which will cost you $10 a month. This provides great flexibility in terms of budgeting. Plus, there are no hidden fees or auto renewal, which is always useful. In every plan, you’ll get access to:
- Compliance reminders
- Real-time notifications
- Local document scans
- Multiple notification methods
- Same-day filings
- 24/7 online access to your documents
Apart from registered agent services, they also offer company registration.
9. Legal Zoom
A pricier yet remarkable registered agent option for those who can afford it is Legal Zoom. They’ve been in the business for many years and they’ve served millions of clients, so you know you’ll be in good hands. This premium registered agent service comes with amazing benefits, such as:
- Annual report deadlines
- Access to their Compliance Calendar
- Unlimited cloud storage
- Quick alerts
- Articles of organization
In addition, they offer your business up to $1M in identity theft protection – an important feature for any business owner that protects you at all times. Plus, if you’re thinking of switching your current registered agent, they offer to do all the paperwork for you and cover any state fees.
The yearly fee for Legal Zoom registered agent services is $299. If you purchase their business formation package, the first year will cost you only $249.
Annual report, foreign qualification, and trademark registration are among the services Legal Zoom offer in addition to registered agent services. Overall, it’s a great option for bigger businesses that have a bigger budget to work with.
10. InCorp
Colorado entrepreneurs who plan on expanding their business across multiple states will greatly benefit from a service such as InCorp. Their multi-year deals make it an incredibly affordable option – the rates are as low as $87 a year if you use them as a registered agent in multiple states. In return, you’ll get benefits such as:
- Access to their Entity Management System
- Mail forwarding
- Compliance calendar
- Real-time processing
- Fast turnaround
You can also use InCorp’s corporation and formation services, both of which will cost you $99 a year.
InCorp’s Colorado office is located in Brighton.
11. CSC Global
Our last recommendation for the best Colorado registered agent service is CSC Global. Whether you’re doing your business primarily in Colorado or you’re looking to expand it in this state, it’s a wonderful option that will give you access to perks like:
- Same-day scanning and delivery of your documents
- Automatic email alerts
- Access to CSCNavigator, an online compliance dashboard
In addition, they pride themselves on their data security, so your personal information will remain protected at all times.
They also offer corporate filing services, annual reports, and business licence services.
Even though this service comes with many benefits, it’s on the pricier side – their yearly fee is $299.
Their office is located in Littleton.
How to Register a Business in Colorado?
In this section, we’ll cover all the steps you need to complete for your business to be operating legally in this state.
Choose a Business Entity
One of the first decisions you need to make regarding your business is which business entity to opt for. Needless to say, every entity comes with its own set of perks and drawbacks. For instance, LLCs provide their members with limited liability, but they’re much harder to form than sole proprietorships or partnerships.
When deciding on a business entity, take into account factors like your budget, the type of structure you want your business to have, and your plans for growth.
Register Your Company
Just like any other state, Colorado requires you to register your business with the Secretary of State to officially start operating your business there. The registration fee is $50. There might be other accompanying costs depending on the type of business you have, so make sure you factor those in as well.
It’s important to note that sole proprietorships and partnerships are exempt from registering their business and paying fees.
The registration step of business formation also requires you to have chosen a name for your business. You might have to do a name search in this process to confirm that the name you’ve chosen hasn’t already been taken. You can do a business name search on Colorado’s Secretary of State website.
Get an EIN
Another important step in registering your business is getting an Employee Identification Number. You can think of your EIN as a social security number for your business.
The application for an EIN is conducted online – you’re only required to answer a few questions regarding your business and you will receive an EIN in no time. EINs are required to set up a bank account and for taxation purposes.
File Articles of Organization/ Articles of Incorporation
Depending on whether you’re forming an LLC or a corporation, the next step is to file articles of organization or articles of incorporation.
Articles of incorporation are a set of documents that are filed during the formation process of a corporation. These contain general information about the corporation, such as the location of the business, the name of the business, the name and address of the registered agent, and information about the owners.
Articles of organization are used to establish LLCs at the state level and they have a similar purpose to the articles of incorporation. In them, the owners state all the necessary information about their business, as well as information about the duties of every member.
Obtain all the Necessary Licenses and Permits
The last crucial step in registering your business with the state of Colorado is obtaining all the necessary licenses and permits for your specific business so it can operate legally. There are several types of business licenses, such as state business licenses, sales tax licenses, and federal business licenses.
You can find specific information about your particular business brand on the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies website.
Generally speaking, if your business involves goods like alcohol, gasoline, firearms, and food, you will be required to obtain a license.
After you’ve completed all the abovementioned steps, check out the Checklist for New Businesses section on the Colorado Secretary of State’s website to ensure that you’ve completed all the necessary steps for your business formation to be complete.
How Do I Choose a Registered Agent in Colorado?
In our last section, we’ll share some tips on how to choose the right registered agent for your business.
Nationwide Availability
If possible, choose a registered agent that operates nationwide. Even if you’re not thinking of expanding your business at the moment, you never know what the future will bring you. If, at some point, you decide that you want to grow your business and expand it across multiple states, you won’t have to change your registered agent in the process. What’s more, you might get a deal and save some money if you choose a service that offers a multi-year discount.
Data Protection
Another crucial factor to consider is the service’s dedication to protecting your data. Choosing a service that is safe and secure will give you peace of mind, since you won’t have to worry about your private information being leaked. Find out what measures they take to protect all your documents and information, and only then consider purchasing their services.
Compliance Support
A good registered agent will help you stay compliant with all the state laws and regulations and protect you from having to pay a fine or getting into legal trouble. Try your best to choose a registered agent that reminds you to send all your documents on time to avoid any problems with the state.
FAQs
Do You Need a Registered Agent in Colorado?
Yes, appointing a registered agent during the formation process of your business is required by law in Colorado.
How Much Does a Registered Agent Cost in Colorado?
On average, the cost of a registered agent in Colorado is $100. With that said, as you saw from our recommendations, the price can also get as low as $35 a year or as high as $299, depending on what registered agent service you choose.
How Much Does It Cost to Register a Business in Colorado?
The filing fee for submitting Articles of Incorporation in Colorado is $50. If your business requires licensing, you might need to pay additional fees that you should factor into your budget.
Where Can I Do a Colorado Business Entity Search?
You can do a Colorado business entity search on the Secretary of State’s website.
A Word of Farewell
We hope you found our article on the best Colorado registered agent services informative! We included diverse recommendations that cater to different needs and budgets.
Our top pick for the best Colorado registered agent service is Harbor Compliance – an excellent choice for anyone looking to pay an affordable price, all the while enjoying all the necessary services that help your business and your personal information stay protected. If you’re on a tight budget, you’ll find Colorado Registered Agent to be an incredible option – for only $35 a year, you’ll get access to services like same-day document delivery and real-time report reminders.