How to File Articles of Incorporation in Colorado

Completing and filing your Colorado Articles of Incorporation is a necessary step for forming a corporation. Before you get to filing, it’s important to have a good overview of the process of forming a corporation in Colorado. Check out our dedicated page to learn more about forming a Colorado corporation.

In Colorado, Articles of Incorporation are submitted to the Colorado Secretary of State (SOS). Forming a corporation and filing Articles of Incorporation in Colorado falls under Title 7: Corporation and Associations of the Colorado Revised Statutes. But don’t worry, you don’t have to delve into that. We’ll walk you through the form and show you how to submit it to the state.

Remember! All information in the Articles of Incorporation of your Colorado corporation will become public record permanently.

Completing the Articles of Incorporation Form

In what follows, we’ll explain the requirements for filing Articles of Incorporation in Colorado and the sections of the form. We’ll discuss both domestic (in-state) and foreign (out-of-state) corporations.

The first important thing to know is that Colorado only allows online filing. You can download a sample form from the state’s website to get a look. This sample form cannot be filed. You must submit your Colorado Articles of Incorporation electronically.

The form asks the following:

• Name: Under Colorado law, your corporation’s name must include one of the following words, or its abbreviation: Corporation, Incorporated, Company, Limited. The accepted abbreviations are “Corp.,” “Inc.,” “Co.,” and “Ltd.” The name must be unique in the state. You can check if the one you have picked is already in use at the Secretary of State’s name availability search engine. If you have a name but aren’t ready to file, you can choose to reserve the name for 120 days. This way, no one can steal it from you. Check out our name reservation service to learn more.
• Address: The physical office of your Colorado corporation. It cannot be a P.O. box. Foreign addresses must include the country and, if applicable, the province. Provide a mailing address only if it’s different from your office address.
• Registered agent’s name, address, and mailing address: A registered agent is the official contact point between your Colorado corporation and the state as well as the recipient of legal notices for your business. It can be either a person or a business with an office address. The registered agent has to be willing and able to receive and accept legal documentation (service of process) and official mail on behalf of your business. ZenBusiness is ready to help you with this. Discover our professional registered agent services for your Colorado corporation.
• Name and address of incorporator: The incorporator is the person or entity completing the Articles of Incorporation. They don’t have to be a part of your corporation.
• Authorized shares: Here you’ll provide the number of shares that you’re creating. One share is the required minimum. If you have multiple classes, you need to include an attachment specifying how many shares per class you have.
• Additional Information (optional): Tick this box if you’re adding more documentation to be filed with your Colorado Articles of Incorporation.
• Delayed date (optional): Fill this in only if you have a late effective date for filing the Articles of Incorporation. You can delay up to 90 days. Choosing this option has legal consequences. Be sure of what you’re doing.
• Name and address of person causing delivery: The person causing delivery is the person physically clicking to file the Articles of Incorporation in Colorado.

After you finish filing your Articles of Incorporation, your work isn’t over. Take a look at our worry-free compliance service to see how you can make sure you’re always up to date with your filings and don’t miss any important dates.

Other Relevant Forms You Might Need

Foreign corporations should file online for the Colorado Statement of Foreign Authority. This form is filed with the Articles of Incorporation. It conveys the basic information that the Colorado Secretary of State needs if a foreign entity wants to do business in Colorado.

Other relevant forms you may choose to add to your Colorado Articles of Incorporation are:

• Names and addresses of additional incorporators
• Attachment defining classes of shares
• Names and addresses of additional persons causing delivery

These documents can be added in the “Manage Attachments” page. You’ll be redirected here after clicking on the Submit button.

How to File Your Colorado Articles of Incorporation

As we explained, you’ll file your Colorado Articles of Incorporation online. This is the only way to file Articles of Corporation in Colorado. You’ll be charged a filing fee.

The Colorado Secretary of State will process your Articles within approximately 24 hours. However, this is an estimate and can vary according to the time of the year and the SOS’s workload.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a fast and professional way to incorporate in Colorado, we’re here to assist you. ZenBusiness will complete the Articles of Incorporation in Colorado for you with our business formation plans. Don’t hesitate to get in touch today for a smooth and easy process.