Colorado LLC Name Reservation — Hold Your Name for 120 Days

If you've found an available LLC name through the Colorado business database search but aren't ready to file your Articles of Organization yet, you can reserve it. Colorado allows name reservations for 120 days at a cost of $25. This prevents anyone else from registering a business with your chosen name while you prepare for formation.

How Name Reservation Works in Colorado

Under the Colorado LLC Act, any person may reserve a name for a limited liability company by filing a Statement of Reservation with the Colorado Secretary of State.

Key facts:

• Fee: $25
• Duration: 120 days from the date of filing
• Filed at: sos.colorado.gov (online only)
• Renewable: Yes, you can file a new reservation if the 120 days expires
• Transferable: Yes, a reservation can be transferred to another person

When to Reserve a Name

Name reservation makes sense when:

• You need time to gather formation documents or complete your operating agreement
• You're waiting for a business partner to finalize their involvement
• You need to secure funding or a business license before forming
• You want to lock in a name while you set up your registered agent

Name reservation is NOT necessary when:

• You're ready to file your Articles of Organization immediately
• You're using a formation service (we file within days of ordering)
• The name is so unique that competition is unlikely

How to File a Statement of Reservation

1. Go to sos.colorado.gov
2. Log into or create your Secretary of State account
3. Select "File a Document" then "Statement of Reservation"
4. Enter the exact name you want to reserve (including LLC/L.L.C. designator)
5. Provide your name and contact information
6. Pay the $25 fee
7. Receive confirmation

The reservation takes effect immediately upon filing.

What Happens After 120 Days?

If you haven't filed your Articles of Organization within 120 days:

• The reservation expires automatically
• The name becomes available to anyone again
• You can file a new Statement of Reservation for another $25 to extend
• There's no limit on how many times you can reserve, but each 120-day period costs $25

FAQ

Can someone else reserve the name I want?

If the name is currently available and you haven't reserved it, yes. Name reservations are first-come, first-served. If someone else has already reserved the name, it will show as unavailable in your search.

Is the $25 fee applied toward my formation filing?

No. The $25 reservation fee is separate from the $50 Articles of Organization filing fee. If you reserve and then form, your total state fees will be $75.

Can I change the name I reserved?

No. If you want to reserve a different name, you'd need to file a new Statement of Reservation for $25. You cannot modify an existing reservation.

What if I form my LLC before the 120 days are up?

That's the intended outcome. File your Articles of Organization using the exact reserved name before the 120 days expire. Any remaining reservation time is simply unused.

Do I have to reserve before forming?

No. Reservation is entirely optional. If you're ready to file your Articles of Organization now, skip the reservation and go straight to formation. The filing system checks availability at the time you submit.