Colorado LLC Name Search

How to Do a Colorado Business Name Search

Selecting the right name is an essential first step for your Colorado LLC, requiring you to ensure the name’s availability. Searching the Colorado business entity database is vital to avoid infringing on existing business names and intellectual property rights within the state.

Our Colorado LLC name search guide offers essential tips on checking LLC name availability, reservation, and registration, helping you secure a unique and compliant business identity efficiently.

Colorado Secretary of State Entity Search

Colorado Secretary of State Entity Search

How to Check Colorado LLC Name Search Availability

To determine if your chosen LLC name is available, you can check Colorado entity name search availability by using the state’s online database. You can search the Colorado Secretary of State’s business database in these ways:

  • Name
  • Trade name
  • Trademark
  • Identification number
  • Document number

What is a CO Business Entity?

A business entity refers to an organization established and recognized by law as existing separately from its owners. It’s created for the purpose of conducting business activities, and it can take various forms based on the nature and structure of the business.

Here are some common types of business entities:

  1. Sole Proprietorship: This is the simplest form of business entity, owned and run by one individual. The owner is personally liable for all business debts and obligations.
  2. Partnership: This is a business owned by two or more people who share the profits and liabilities of the business. There are different types of partnerships, including general partnerships, limited partnerships, and limited liability partnerships.
  3. Corporation: This is a legal entity that is separate and distinct from its owners. It can make a profit, be taxed, and can be held legally liable. Corporations offer the strongest protection to its owners from personal liability, but they are costlier to form and require more extensive record-keeping, operational processes, and reporting.
  4. Limited Liability Company (LLC): This is a hybrid structure that combines the legal protections of a corporation with the tax benefits and operational flexibility of a partnership. The “owners” of an LLC are referred to as “members.” Depending on the state, the members can consist of one single individual (one owner), two or more individuals, corporations, or other LLCs.
  5. Nonprofit Organization: This is an entity organized to focus on a cause or mission that is not about making a profit. While they can earn a profit, all profits must be reinvested into the nonprofit’s mission-related work. Nonprofits are typically tax-exempt, but must apply for this status and meet specific guidelines.

Colorado business name search page

The choice of the business entity depends on a variety of factors, including liability, taxation, and regulatory requirements, as well as the needs and goals of the business owner(s).

An advanced search can be used to reduce the number of results. This is especially useful when you want to verify that the business name you are interested in is still available. Advanced searches allow you to view all the information on the businesses that are available.

You won’t have the ability to register any business that looks similar to your chosen LLC. Instead, you will need to create a new one.

The status of the business will be displayed in the search function. While it may seem like the business is gone, some statuses don’t necessarily mean that the name is available for sale. To avoid any legal problems with other companies, you should still choose an LLC name.

Man in Colorado looking up LLC names on a laptop

Enter your preferred LLC name when searching the Colorado state database. It doesn’t matter if you capitalize words, because the search will return all results. Your preferred LLC name should be entered next to the “Business Name, Trademark, or Trade Name” section of the website.

After you’ve performed a search, the database will provide a list with entities that have similar names. Click on the names to get more information. These are the contents of the information:

  • The ID number of the entity
  • Name
  • Document number
  • Event
  • Status
  • Form
  • Formation date

Once the website has generated search results for your page you can click on the ID number to view all information about the entity. Other functions will be available, such as the ability to purchase a Certificate of Good Standing. To get the most information, perform an advanced search.

You can try again searching with more specific keywords if you get overwhelmed by the number of results. You can search for as many names as you like without being charged. This search is essential before you form your LLC.

To ensure that there are no conflicts with your business, take plenty of time for the search.

Secretary of State Entity Name Search: Colorado

Search Business Names online in Colorado

Contact Information for Colorado

  • Searching for Colorado businesses is done through the  Colorado Secretary of State’s site
  • Select the “Name Availability Search” filter on the homepage and look up the desired business name.
  • File for a new business entity through the Colorado Secretary of State website
  • Contact the Colorado Secretary Of State by calling 303-894-2200 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
  • Mountain Time. You can also email business@sos.state.co.us to get a quick reply.

Colorado Requirements and Restrictions in Forming an LLC Name

Each LLC name must contain the words “Limited Liability Company” at least once, even if it means adding the abbreviation L.L.C. or L.L.C. to the end. If you want to start a landscaping company and use the name Fred’s Landscaping, LLC, you must file the paperwork.

However, the LLC name cannot imply that it is a corporation. You should not use the words “corporation,” “corp.,” “inc.,” or “incorporated” in your LLC name.

Your LLC name must be distinct from other entities. To make your LLC name unique, you can’t simply modify an existing business name’s grammar or punctuation, such as the plural or possessive forms of words, to make it your own.

If you choose to call your business Acme Farm, LLC, but Acme Farms LLC is the search result, your preferred name cannot be used. Also, you can’t use words such as “and”, “or”, “&,”, or add extra punctuation. Your LLC name cannot be misleadingly similar to another.

Tips to Form an LLC Name

Your LLC name should be unique and not similar to any other Colorado entity. These tips can help you:

  • Make it easy to spell the name
  • Keep your names short and easy to remember
  • Select a name that has positive connotations

What is a Colorado DBA?

You may have come across the term DBA when establishing your company. This stands for “doing Business as” and indicates that the company uses a secondary Colorado name. You will need to file a DBA to allow you to use the secondary name. This is also known as a tradename.

If you intend to operate under a different business name than the owner of the company, open accounts under a tradename or prevent trademark infringement, you may need a DBA.


 

CO Business Entity

Starting an LLC in Colorado involves several key steps, with the first being a Colorado entity name search to ensure your proposed business name isn’t already taken. Upon securing a unique name, you’ll then create a Colorado LLC operating agreement, outlining the internal operations of the company.

If you’re keen on privacy and you’re prepared to meet legal requirements, you can even be your own registered agent in Colorado. Though the length of time to get an LLC in Colorado varies, typically it takes a few weeks.

Once the LLC is formed, you will need to understand how to obtain an EIN, or Employer Identification Number, from the IRS for tax purposes.

There are several top LLC formation services in Colorado to guide you through this process if necessary. To further streamline the process, the best registered agent services in Colorado are available to handle legal notifications on your behalf.

Next, you’ll need to get a business license in Colorado, which can be obtained from the Secretary of State’s office. The cost to start an LLC in Colorado is relatively affordable, involving a small filing fee.

As time goes by, you may need to know how to close and dissolve a Colorado LLC, this procedures that can be handled by a Colorado registered agent.

Colorado Secretary of State | Contact Information

Mailing Address

1700 Broadway
Suite 550
Denver, CO 80290

Physical Address

1700 Broadway
Suite 550
Denver, CO 80290
(Northeast corner of 17th and Broadway)

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Phone: (855) 428-3555 (toll free)


Additional Steps 

1. Trademark Search

Checking if a Name is Trademarked. An illustration of a man with a laptop, checking if a business name is trademarked.

When searching for a business name, it’s important to note that availability doesn’t necessarily mean the name is free to use if it’s already a registered trademark.

To avoid potential complications down the line, it’s wise to conduct a thorough trademark search using the Trademark Electronic Search System before finalizing a business name.

2. Choose a Registered Agent

After you have chosen an LLC name that is distinctive and unique, you can now choose your LLC’s Registered Agent.

3. Check if the Domain Name is Available

To check if a domain name is available, you can follow these steps:

  1. Go to a domain registrar website, such as GoDaddy.com or Namecheap.com.
  2. In the search bar on the homepage, type in the domain name you want to check.
  3. Click on the search button to see if the domain name is available or not.
  4. If the domain name is available, you will be prompted to purchase it. If it’s not available, the registrar will suggest some alternative options or you can try a different domain name.

4. Check if Social Media Name is Available

Check if a social media name is available for a new business name

5. Register Colorado Business Entity

When you complete the required documents for filing a new business entity, you then register your business and business name with the state. The state of Colorado will either approve your business name or reject it.

If you hire a good LLC service like Northwest Registered Agent, ZenBusiness or Incfile, these LLC services have business name tools available for you to do a quick search.

6. Register an Employer ID Number (EIN) With the IRS

An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a unique nine-digit number assigned by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to identify businesses and other entities for tax purposes.

7. Create a Brand Logo

Creating a business logo involves several steps. There are affordable online services that can design a logo for you and assist with the process.

Define your brand: Before you start creating a logo, you need to define your brand’s personality, values, and mission. This will help you create a logo that accurately represents your brand.

8. Write a Business Plan

Writing a business plan involves a comprehensive process that covers various aspects of your business, including the industry, market research, marketing and sales strategies, financial projections, and more.

9. Open a Business Bank Account in Colorado

A bank account is generally required for a new Limited Liability Company (LLC) or corporation to separate personal finances from business finances and to establish a clear record of business transactions.

author avatar
Brian Wilson Writer and Editor
Brian Wilson is the content manager and founder of LLC Radar. Brian grew up in North Texas, just outside of Dallas, and has a bachelor's degree in business from Southern Methodist University. Since graduating from SMU, Brian has gained over 10 years of experience in business writing for several online publications. Brian resides in Plano, Texas and he can be reached by email:   info@llcradar.com Phone: 972-776-4050

6 Comments

  1. Great article! The detailed steps for ensuring a business name is not already in use are invaluable. The section on considering cultural and linguistic factors in naming was an eye-opener. Thank you for sharing this.

  2. Such a helpful article! The reminder to double-check for potential legal issues with a chosen business name was much needed. I’m more confident in moving forward with my business plans now.

  3. Thank you for the comprehensive guide! The links to state databases and federal trademark searches were extremely handy. This is a must-read for anyone in the early stages of starting a business.

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