How To File a DBA in Colorado in 3 Steps

In Colorado, you can register a trade name similar to or even the same as another name on record. However, conducting a trade name search is still a good business practice to check for availability before registering a trade name. Having a unique and distinguishable trade name will help prevent confusion.

Search Nationally and Locally

You can search for a trade name online. On the Colorado secretary of state's website, simply type the name you'd like to use in the Name Availability Search.

You should also conduct a trademark search to see if someone has trademarked your trade name. You can perform the search through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The agency retired its Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS) in late 2023. The new search function still checks for registered trademarks and applications in the USPTO database.

Check internet domain website names and social media handles on sites like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. If the name you have in mind is already in use there, your best bet is to pick another one. Keeping the same name across all your online platforms allows for cohesive branding.

Choose an Assumed Name

You'll want to make sure you choose a trade name that doesn't violate any Colorado laws. That means:

• No obscenities
• No references to illegal activities
• Nothing that suggests you are tied to a governmental agency, such as "State Department"
• Not adding "LLC," "Inc.," or any other business entity designator unless you actually have that type of legal business entity
• Not using terms such as "bank," "trust," "credit union," or "banker" unless your business provides financial services

One final consideration relating to the trade name you choose for your business is restrictions.

You can register a Colorado DBA online. The Colorado secretary of state website lists forms for registering a trade name. You must select the appropriate registration form for your business entity type.

You can also follow these links to access the forms available with the Colorado Secretary of State's Office:

• Statement of Trade Name of a Dissolved or Delinquent Reporting Entity
• Statement of Trade Name of an Individual
• Statement of Trade Name of a Non-Reporting Entity
• Statement of Trade Name of an Estate, a Trust, a State or an Other Jurisdiction
• Statement of Trade Name of a Reporting Entity

For example, a sole proprietor seeking to register a trade name would select the "Statement of Trade Name of an Individual" form.

Although the Statement of Trade Name forms vary slightly based on the business type, you'll generally need to input the following information on your registration form:

• Business type
• True name of the business (original entity)
• Address of the business
• Nature of the business
• Colorado Secretary of State ID number (if you have an underlying entity such as a LLC or corporation, this is the number given at initial registration)

You'll need to provide the trade name you use or would like to use to conduct business. You'll also need to submit the filing fee of $20 to register your trade name.

You must file these forms online. Forms are not accepted by mail.

After you file your Colorado DBA, you might wonder about trade name renewals and other issues regarding its management. Will you need to renew your trade name? Can you make changes once it's filed? What happens if you decide you don't want your trade name anymore?

Renewals

All renewal forms must be submitted online.

• Sole proprietors: For sole proprietors, a trade name is good for one year. It expires on the first day following the month of the anniversary of the original filing. For example, if you registered your trade name on Feb. 15, 2024, the trade name expiration date would be March 1, 2025. Trade names for sole proprietorships can be renewed anytime within the three months leading up to the expiration date. If the expiration date passes, the trade name can't be renewed.
• Business entities: Trade names for LLCs and corporations are good so long as the business remains in good standing. If the company falls out of good standing, the trade name will be good for one year after that date. Suppose the business owners bring the company back into good standing before the year is up. In that case, the trade name will be effective again if the company remains in good standing. If the business owner doesn't bring the business back into good standing before the year ends, they may file a renewal for the trade name.

Changes or Corrections

You might need to make changes or corrections after filing your trade name registration form. You may need to change the address you listed on the registration form or the description of the nature of the business conducted.

You can change your trade name registration by completing a Statement of Change of Trade Name Information form on the Colorado secretary of state's website. You can also find the Statement of Correction of Trade Name Information form on the website. Along with submitting the appropriate form online, you'll need to submit a filing fee of $10 for a change or correction.

Withdrawals

You can also withdraw or cancel your trade name registration altogether. The Statement of Trade Name Withdrawal form is available on the secretary of state website. A filing fee of $10 applies for trade name withdrawals. You could also simply allow your trade name to expire if you no longer want it.