File a DBA in Colorado

Ready to file a DBA in Colorado? Find out how to get started in this easy-to-follow guide.

What's your DBA name?

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file a dba in colorado

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Updated on: June 12, 2025
Read time: 3 min

What is a DBA?

When a company wants to do business under a different name, it usually files that secondary name with the state of Colorado. In Colorado, this is called a DBA (doing business as). For example, if a company that was formed as “Frank’s Lawn Service, LLC” wants to start doing business as “Best Lawn Service,” then the owners need to file a DBA for the second name, which is called a trade name.

When you need a DBA

In Colorado, a sole proprietor or business entity has between 30 and 60 days in which it can use a DBA without registering the name with the Secretary of State. After that time period, they must file or stop using the name. Here are some other reasons to file a DBA:

  • If a sole proprietor chooses to operate under a name other than the personal owner's, he or she must file for a DBA.
  • If the filer for the DBA is a corporation or LLC and plans to operate a business using a name other than the parent company's, a DBA must also be filed.
  • If a business seeks to use a name for which another business already has rights, the business may need to file for a DBA registration to avoid a trademark infringement action.
  • A DBA must be filed in order to open a bank account, sign contracts, accept payment, or otherwise enter into agreements using the trade name.

Setting up a DBA in Colorado

In order to determine if a name can be used in a DBA, or if it is already in use by another company, prospective filers must search the Colorado Secretary of State's Records Search. Businesses aren’t allowed to have similar names because this is considered confusing to the public (and it’s bad for business anyway). Furthermore, Colorado law prohibits the DBA registration of a name that includes phrases like "Corporation," "Corp.," "Incorporated," etc. The name selected for a DBA filing cannot be similar to a DBA that was recently dissolved in Colorado in the past 120 days. Filers will be able to find this information through the entity search function on the Secretary of State site.

Colorado DBA forms

Businesses that want to file for a DBA or trade name can visit the Secretary of State website. There, they will find a number of hyperlinks to forms for DBA filings, which differ depending on the entity status or sole proprietorship status of the filer.

Colorado DBA filing and registration

You must provide some personal information on the registration forms, including:

  • Name and address
  • Proposed DBA designation
  • Description of the business you wish to carry on under the DBA name
  • Email address

You may delay the effective date of the DBA designation for up to 90 days. This may allow you to avoid running afoul of the requirement that names similar to those dissolved within 120 days cannot be registered. In Colorado, DBAs need to be renewed every five years.

Tax considerations

Adding a trade name to your business by filing a DBA will not change the way your business is taxed.

LegalZoom can help you register a DBA and more. We offer online business services such as forming an LLC or corporation.

What's your DBA name?Register my DBA
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This article is for informational purposes. This content is not legal advice, it is the expression of the author and has not been evaluated by LegalZoom for accuracy or changes in the law.

30 days ago
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10/10 customer service

Both Kathy and Princess made the process of filing my DBA incredibly easy and were able to walk me through the process the entire time. Both were incredibly kind and helpful and I'm so grateful to the LegalZoom team for being there to support me through any troubles I have with my small business!

Kate
69 days ago
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Very helpful everyone I spoke with was…

Very helpful everyone I spoke with was very knowledgeable and pointed me in the right direction. My dba was filed swiftly and I was informed about the progress the entire time. Very happy with the results.

karl anderson
78 days ago
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KIERVE has Excellent Customer Service

KIERVE was very knowledgeable and provided the information I requested with additional things to assist me with creating a new DBA. I appreciated how patient they were and ensured everything had processed to the next step before we signed off the chat. Excellent customer service!

Tenika Ashley
122 days ago
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Customer Service exceeded my expectations.

After an initial dilemma with my DBA filing in California, a LegalZoom account executive took the reigns and made everything right by going above and beyond my expectations. Thank you LegalZoom!

Clinton Goodrich
207 days ago
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Very helpful

I called in looking for help with my DBA and was able to complete setting it up effortlessly and got help with a few more items I didn’t even know I needed.

Kevin McCarthy
211 days ago
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Joe was extraordinary

Joe was extraordinary! I called to add a DBA to my existing LLC, and he got straight to the point with exactly what I needed. He went above and beyond by taking the time to answer my questions thoroughly and even checked my account. He pointed out a couple of things for me to review, and if that wasn’t enough, he even sent me a screenshot so I knew exactly what he was referring to. Wow—what an asset to your company! Loyal customer here!

Juan Ferrer
Rated4.6out of 5 based on23,946+ reviewson

Showing our favorite reviews

Contents

Updated on: June 12, 2025
Read time: 3 min


 

What's your DBA name?Register my DBA
Twitter logoFacebook logoLinkedIn logoReddit logo

This article is for informational purposes. This content is not legal advice, it is the expression of the author and has not been evaluated by LegalZoom for accuracy or changes in the law.

30 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

10/10 customer service

Both Kathy and Princess made the process of filing my DBA incredibly easy and were able to walk me through the process the entire time. Both were incredibly kind and helpful and I'm so grateful to the LegalZoom team for being there to support me through any troubles I have with my small business!

Kate
69 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

Very helpful everyone I spoke with was…

Very helpful everyone I spoke with was very knowledgeable and pointed me in the right direction. My dba was filed swiftly and I was informed about the progress the entire time. Very happy with the results.

karl anderson
78 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

KIERVE has Excellent Customer Service

KIERVE was very knowledgeable and provided the information I requested with additional things to assist me with creating a new DBA. I appreciated how patient they were and ensured everything had processed to the next step before we signed off the chat. Excellent customer service!

Tenika Ashley
122 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

Customer Service exceeded my expectations.

After an initial dilemma with my DBA filing in California, a LegalZoom account executive took the reigns and made everything right by going above and beyond my expectations. Thank you LegalZoom!

Clinton Goodrich
207 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

Very helpful

I called in looking for help with my DBA and was able to complete setting it up effortlessly and got help with a few more items I didn’t even know I needed.

Kevin McCarthy
211 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

Joe was extraordinary

Joe was extraordinary! I called to add a DBA to my existing LLC, and he got straight to the point with exactly what I needed. He went above and beyond by taking the time to answer my questions thoroughly and even checked my account. He pointed out a couple of things for me to review, and if that wasn’t enough, he even sent me a screenshot so I knew exactly what he was referring to. Wow—what an asset to your company! Loyal customer here!

Juan Ferrer
Rated4.6out of 5 based on23,946+ reviewson

Showing our favorite reviews