Before you form a limited liability company (LLC), register a trade name, or start a corporation, you’ll need to complete a business name search with the Colorado Name Availability Search tool to see if your name is unique.
In our Colorado Business Name Search guide, we’ll show you exactly how to check LLC name availability in Colorado.
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Search NowHow to Check if Your Colorado LLC Name Is Available
Checking if your desired LLC name is available involves a few key steps, such as ensuring your business name follows state requirements and performing a domain name and state search. These are the steps you need to take to determine if your business name is available in Colorado.
1. Follow LLC Naming Rules
Before you perform an LLC name search, you need to make sure your business name follows the state’s business name requirements.
Some key guidelines for Colorado LLC names include:
- Your name must include “limited liability company,” “ltd. liability company,” “limited liability co.,” “ltd. liability co.,” “limited,” “l.l.c.,” “llc,” or “ltd.”
- Your name must be distinguishable from any existing business in the state. This includes Colorado reserved names.
Keep an eye out for restricted words. These words, such as “FBI” or “Treasury,” are often restricted to keep your LLC from sounding like an official institution.
Colorado also has the following restrictions for LLC names:
- Your name can’t contain any term that would violate any Colorado state law (e.g., obscenities, references to illegal activities, etc.).
For more information, check out Colorado’s official state statutes.
Distinguishability
It’s important that your name be distinguishable from all other business names. In Colorado, a distinguishable name is one that’s substantively different from all other existing or reserved business names in the state.
The following differences do NOT make a name distinguishable in Colorado:
- Periods, commas, underscores, apostrophes, and inverted apostrophes
- Whether the letters are uppercase or lowercase
Failure to use a distinguishable name could result in the rejection of your formation filing.
2. Search for LLC Names
The state of Colorado requires business names to be unique from any other business entity in the state. Therefore, it’s crucial that you perform a state-specific search for your chosen business name. You can check your business name availability by searching the Colorado Name Availability Search online database.
3. Check Available Domain Names
When choosing a business name you’ll need to find out whether or not a good web domain name is available. Having a URL that clearly matches your business name is important. This small step can make a big difference in how prospective customers find your business.
The best way to determine if your desired URL is available is to search for it using your preferred domain registry, such as GoDaddy.
What if my LLC name is already taken? Our free AI-powered LLC name generator will give you thousands of new ideas.
4. Conduct a Trademark or Service Mark Search
A trademark search is a critical step in establishing your brand. It helps you ensure your chosen business name or logo isn’t already protected by another company. Use the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)’s online search tool to check for potential conflicts. If you need expert help, our guide to the best trademark services for startups is a great resource.
5. Reserve Your LLC Name
You may reserve your LLC name in Colorado for up to 120 days before you officially register it with the state. This prevents other businesses from registering your name until you have the opportunity to register it yourself.
You can file a name reservation online with the Colorado Secretary of State. The filing fee is $25.
6. Form Your Colorado LLC
Forming an LLC in Colorado requires filing Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State. This step officially creates your business entity and allows you to operate legally in the Centennial State.
Your Articles of Organization should include the LLC’s name, principal office address, registered agent details, and whether the company is member-managed or manager-managed. Colorado also requires you to provide the name and address of the person forming the LLC.
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Start NowColorado LLC Name Search FAQ
How do I check if an LLC name is taken in Colorado?
You can use the Colorado Name Availability Search tool to see if your business name is available.
Should I name my LLC after myself?
While there’s no rule against naming an LLC after yourself, most experts advise against doing this.
One of the benefits of starting an LLC is the ability to choose a different name for your business, which can make it sound more professional.
To explore other naming options, use your free AI-powered LLC name generator.
What words can’t be used in a Colorado LLC name?
Business names generally can’t include words that imply the company is a banking or financial institution or that it’s affiliated with a local, state, or federal government agency.
Additionally, Colorado LLC names can’t contain any term that would violate any Colorado state law (e.g., obscenities, references to illegal activities, etc.).
Should I use an LLC name generator?
If you’re having trouble choosing a name for your LLC, an LLC name generator can help you come up with some ideas.
What is a brand name?
A brand name is a name a company gives to a product or line of products. It can be the same as the company’s name or something different.
Learn more about branding with your business entity name with our How to Name Your LLC guide.
Do I have to include LLC in my name?
Yes. Colorado requires that its LLCs use “Limited Liability Company” or one of its abbreviations (e.g., “LLC” or “L.L.C.”) in their legal name.
Do I need to renew my business name in Colorado?
Colorado doesn’t require corporations to renew their name.
Can my business name be different from my LLC name in Colorado?
Some companies choose to operate under a name that’s different from their legal name. This can either be called a “doing business as” (DBA) name or a trade name in Colorado.
In Colorado, LLC trade names are filed with the Secretary of State.
Learn more about trade names with our Colorado DBA guide.
Does my LLC need a DBA name?
Your LLC doesn’t need a DBA name unless it plans to do business under a name other than its legal name. Learn more about Colorado DBA names by reading our guide to filing for a DBA and selecting Colorado from the drop-down menu.