Starting a business? Our number one pick for registered agent services is ZenBusiness.
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ZenBusiness |
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Visit ZenBusiness |
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Northwest Registered Agent |
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Visit Northwest |
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Incfile.com |
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Visit Incfile |
Selecting a registered agent is part of setting up a business in Colorado. A registered agent is the company’s point of contact who agrees to accept important documents on behalf of the company.
You can be your own registered agent or you can select another person, company, or a registered agent service to fill the role.
Many entrepreneurs have questions about the role of a registered agent and how a registered agent service works. To help, we’ve created this guide. We’ll answer all of your questions, but we’ll start at the beginning with how to form a company in Colorado.
What is a Colorado registered agent?
A registered agent agrees to receive legal paperwork on behalf of your company. Think of this person as a point of contact for the business. If something important like tax forms, court documents, or paperwork that’s served during a lawsuit needs to be delivered, the registered agent will receive it.
How does an owner select a registered agent in Colorado?
A registered agent is listed on the LLC formation documents known as the Articles of Organization. The registered agent can be a person or a company of your choosing but should be aware of their role and willing to accept documents on the company’s behalf.
Who can be a registered agent in Colorado?
You can serve as your own registered agent or pick a friend, coworker, another business owner, or a registered agent service. A registered agent service is a company that will serve as your point of contact for the state. When selecting an individual, they must be at least 18 years old.
In Colorado, a registered agent can be a:
- Full-time resident of Colorado; or
- Colorado company that’s registered to do business in the state, which includes a registered agent service.
Can I be my own registered agent in Colorado?
Yes. Most of the time, the business owner or the LLC organizer serves as the company’s registered agent. While being your own registered agent is probably the easiest option, there are other choices. Another person or another Colorado company can be a registered agent too.
Why would a company choose to work with a registered agent service?
A registered agent service can serve as your official point of contact, for a fee. While many owners decide to be their own registered agent, some opt for a company to fill this role. There are several reasons an owner might decide to use a registered agent service, which includes:
- Convenience. A registered agent should be available during regular business hours to receive documents as needed. For some owners, staying in one location isn’t easy. Some owners travel for work, for example, and can’t usually be found working in an office every day. Convenience is a factor.
- Peace of mind. With a registered agent service in charge, owners have peace of mind that nothing is missed. If the service receives documents, they will get in touch with the owner ASAP. Usually, the registered agent services provide mail forwarding services or same-day mail scans with an electronic notice to make sure the owner is aware of the paperwork received.
- Privacy. In the event your company is sued, the paperwork would go to an off-site registered agent. It helps keep these matters quiet.
How much does a registered agent service cost in Colorado?
Basic services, which could include mail forwarding, is usually $50 a year or less. For more advanced services with mail forwarding, online accounts, and reminders regarding annual reports, prices hover around $100-250 annually. Each business needs to weigh the pros and cons of this cost.
List of Colorado registered agent services
For those looking for a registered agent service, a quick Google search will provide a list of choices. In addition, LLC organizers can reach out to the secretary of state’s office, which usually has a list of options on file.
To provide a starting point, here are several registered agent services in Colorado:
Starting a business? Our number one pick for registered agent services is ZenBusiness.
|
ZenBusiness |
|
Visit ZenBusiness |
|
Northwest Registered Agent |
|
Visit Northwest |
|
Incfile.com |
|
Visit Incfile |
- ZenBusiness: ZenBusiness is fairly new to the market, but they’ve grown a strong following. Business owners love the affordable rates for a registered agent service, which are as low as $99 per year. The company offers worry-free compliance too, to help business owners file the necessary reports on time.
- Northwest Registered Agent: Northwest is one of the most recognized names in the registered agent business. The company has decades of experience and local offices scattered across the U.S. to serve small businesses like yours. The cost for a registered agent service is comparable to others. Business owners can also take advantage of additional services like report filing.
- Incfile: Incfile is another trusted name for business services, including its registered agent services. Business owners can get a registered agent free for a year. That’s right, free. After the first year, the price kicks in at $119. An online dashboard, automatic mail forwarding, and tailored notifications also come with the service.
Colorado registered agent FAQs
Yes. It’s required by the state to list a registered agent on the LLC formation paperwork. The state needs to be able to contact someone from your company, which is why it’s required.
Yes. To do so, file a Statement of Change Changing the Registered Agent Information. The form can be found and filed on the Secretary of State website. There is a $10 fee to file this form.
A registered agent has several different names, depending on the state. Colorado uses the term registered agent, but other states like Arizona, for example, use the term statutory agent. The name service of the process agent is also used.
When filling out the LLC formation paperwork, you might be asked if the appointed registered agent is commercial or non-commercial. The definition of a commercial registered agent is a registered agent service, a non-commercial agent is a person or company that you’ve appointed to do the job but isn’t paid to do so.
