Colorado Registered Agents: Understanding Their Role and Responsibilities

When you form a limited liability company (LLC) in Colorado, you’ll need a registered agent, who/which will be the official point of contact for your business entity. While you could be the Colorado registered agent, it could also be any other individual or a registered agent service. A registered agent service is an affordable solution that offers both flexibility and privacy. 

Read on to understand a Colorado registered agent’s role in choosing the best option for your business. 

What Is a Colorado Registered Agent?

A Colorado registered agent, also sometimes called a resident agent, is an individual or company that serves as your LLC’s point of contact to receive legal and state documents. For a Colorado-registered LLC, you must have a registered agent with a physical address in Colorado.

According to the Colorado Secretary of State, if your business is a filing entity on record in Colorado, even if it is located in another state, you must have a registered agent with a Colorado address. 

The good news is that the registered agent doesn’t have to be an owner or director of the LLC. You can hire a registered agent service or appoint someone as a registered agent. 

What Is a Registered Office in Colorado?

A registered office is the physical business address of a registered agent of an LLC. The registered agent is the official point of contact for the LLC, and that registered agent must have a physical business address, called the registered office of the LLC.

What Are the Legal Duties of a Colorado Registered Agent?

A Colorado registered agent must receive all official correspondence for the LLC. The registered agent is responsible for relaying these communications to the LLC members for them to take action. That means the registered agent must be in the office listed during regular business hours. 

A registered agent in Colorado will receive all official correspondence, including:

• A process server in connection with a lawsuit against the entity
• Notice of garnishment proceedings
• Litigation documents 
• Legal notices
• Government correspondence
• Other compliance-related documents, like correspondence from an insurance company.

The registered agent might also be asked to respond to correspondence or act on behalf of the LLC. 

Why Is a Registered Agent Required in Colorado?

Colorado requires a registered agent to ensure that the Secretary of State and courts can reliably contact the LLC. All LLCs and corporations in Colorado must have a registered agent to maintain compliance and remain in good standing with the state. 

Does Colorado Require Registered Agent Consents?

Yes, Colorado requires the registered agent’s consent. You cannot appoint an individual or entity as the registered agent in Colorado without permission from the registered agent. You also cannot appoint the Secretary of State as the registered agent. 

When Do You Need a Colorado Registered Agent?

You’d need a registered agent in Colorado for any company that is doing business in Colorado, even if it is registered in another state. The registered agent representing the company must have a Colorado address. Companies that need a registered agent in Colorado include:

• LLCs registered in Colorado
• LLCs registered in another state doing business in Colorado
• Corporations in Colorado
• Corporations registered in another state doing business in Colorado
• International corporations or other businesses operating in Colorado

Who Can Be a Registered Agent in Colorado?

To be a registered agent in Colorado, an individual must be at least 18 years old and have their primary residence in Colorado. If you appoint (like a business) an entity as a registered agent, it must have a usual place of business in Colorado or have the authority to transact business in Colorado. LLCs may serve as their own registered agent.

In Colorado, the person or entity must agree to be the registered agent. And you can only appoint one individual or entity as the registered agent. The Secretary of State cannot be the registered agent. 

How to Choose a Registered Agent Service in Colorado?

A registered agent should be reliable and cost-effective to serve its purpose for your business. You should consider the following when choosing a registered agent:

Service Cost

Weigh the price of the service and its value for your business. Typical registered agent services range from $100 to $300 per year. Consider the total cost of the services and their features to choose the best option for your company. 

Features 

Some registered agent services offer additional features, including online account access, mail forwarding, or support in forming an LLC online. Some of these features, like scanning and forwarding mail, can save you time, especially if you travel frequently or don’t want to get a lot of mail.

Reputation

A registered agent’s reputation for service, value, and privacy is important to consider. Look for a registered agent service with strong positive reviews from current and past clients. Many LLC members choose to use a registered agent to protect the member’s private information. Check that the registered agent protects your private information. 

What Happens if You Don’t Have a Colorado Registered Agent?

According to the Secretary of State of Colorado, the business could face severe penalties or fees if you don’t have a registered agent. In some cases, the business owners can also be responsible for these penalties. 

How to Change Registered Agents in Colorado?

If you want to hire a registered agent service or are considering switching services, you must notify the state when you change your registered agent’s information. Colorado allows you to change your registered agent in a few simple steps: 

1. Complete and file a statement of change modifying the registered agent form with the Colorado Secretary of State online. There are a number of registered agent services to do this, or you can contact the Secretary of State with the information here. 
2. Pay the $10 fee to file. 

You can use the same process to change the registered agents from yourself to a professional service. The benefits of changing to a professional registered agent include:

• Security: Ensures that you don’t miss important legal documents or notifications. 
• Flexibility: You don’t have to be present during business hours.  
• Privacy: Your information won’t be listed on the public record. 
• Simplicity: Focus on running and growing your business, knowing you have adequate registered agent compliance. 

Appointing a Colorado Registered Agent

As a business owner, many things could take your time. You need professional services that can simplify operations and improve efficiency. Appointing or hiring a registered agent service to protect your business can allow you to focus on other aspects of the business. 

Doola bookkeeping services can also help by simplifying accounting. Doola Books is designed for busy founders to offer best-in-class accounting software affordably, giving you more time for your core business growth. Get Doola books here.

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