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Before going into the details, here is a quick checklist for registering a DBA in Colorado.
| Official Term | Trade name (also called a DBA) [1] |
|---|---|
| Filing Agency | Colorado Secretary of State, online only [1] |
| Form | Statement of Trade Name, filed online [1] |
| State Fee | $20 to file the Statement of Trade Name [1] |
| Processing Time | Immediate; online filings post in real time [1] |
| Renewal Required | Yes for individuals and general partnerships, renewed annually for $5; entity trade names stay effective while the entity is in good standing [2] |
| Cancellation | Withdraw the trade name online through the Secretary of State [1] |
A DBA stands for "Doing Business As." It is an alternative name your business uses instead of its registered legal name. In Colorado, the official term is "trade name," and you register it online with the Colorado Secretary of State.
Any type of business can register a trade name in Colorado. This includes sole proprietors, general partnerships, LLCs, and corporations that want to operate under a name other than their legal name.
A DBA does not create a new legal entity. It does not change your tax status, your liability protection, or your ownership. It is only a name your business is authorized to operate under.
| Brand Fit | Commercial Banking | Multi-Entity Branding | Privacy & Trust |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sole proprietors operate under their personal names by default. A trade name lets you do business under a professional brand instead. | Colorado banks generally require a registered trade name before opening a business account in a name other than your legal name. | One business can run several brands or product lines under separate trade names without forming a new company for each. | A trade name keeps your personal identity off public branding and signals to customers that you are an established business. |
Colorado registers trade names through the Secretary of State, and all filings are done online. There is no paper option. [1]
Before you file, confirm the name you want is available. Search the Colorado Secretary of State business database for existing names and trade names.
Because the state does not check your name for trademark conflicts, a careful search protects your brand before you commit to it.
Colorado trade name rules are light, but a few hard limits apply.
| Your trade name should be distinguishable | Match designators to your real structure | Conflicts are your responsibility |
|---|---|---|
| Search the Secretary of State database first; a confusingly similar name can cause problems even though trade names are not screened for exclusivity. [1] | A sole proprietor should not use "LLC," "Inc.," or "Corp" in a trade name. An organizational identifier must match your actual business structure. | The state does not screen for trademark conflicts, so run a federal trademark search to avoid infringing a protected mark. [3] |
Run a trademark search at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) as well. Registering a trade name in Colorado gives you no trademark rights and does not stop a federal trademark holder from challenging your use of the name. [3]
You file a Statement of Trade Name online with the Colorado Secretary of State. The form you use depends on whether you are an individual, a general partnership, or a reporting entity such as an LLC or corporation. [1]
| Situation | Fee |
|---|---|
| File a Statement of Trade Name | $20, online [1] |
| Renew a trade name (individual or general partnership) | $5, annually [2] |
| Reporting entity trade name | Stays effective while the entity is in good standing |
Online only: file through the Colorado Secretary of State business center; Colorado does not accept paper trade name filings [4]
Note: The filing fee is non-refundable. If your filing is rejected, you must correct and resubmit it online.
Online filings post in real time, so your trade name is effective immediately once accepted. Save the confirmation for your records. [1]
Banks, vendors, and payment processors will ask for proof of your trade name before they let you operate or accept funds under it.
If you are an individual or a general partnership, your trade name must be renewed each year for $5. A reporting entity's trade name stays effective as long as the entity remains in good standing. [2]
A DBA and an LLC are not the same thing. This is one of the most common points of confusion for new business owners, and getting it wrong can be costly.
A DBA is only a name. It does not create a legal entity. It does not protect your personal assets. If someone sues your business, your personal finances are exposed.
Forming an LLC means you are creating a separate legal entity. That separation generally protects your personal finances, home, and savings from business debts and lawsuits.
If you are a sole proprietor who wants a business name without incorporating, a trade name is a fast, affordable option. If you want liability protection, you need an LLC or a corporation.
Many businesses do both: they form an LLC and then apply for a DBA to run a brand under a name different from the LLC's legal name.
| Feature | DBA (Trade Name) | LLC |
|---|---|---|
| Creates a legal entity | No | Yes |
| Personal asset protection | No | Yes |
| Changes the tax treatment | No | Can elect a different tax status |
| Required to operate under a different name | Yes, if the name differs from your legal name | No, the LLC name is its legal name |
| Cost to register | $20 online + Swyft service fee | State filing fee + Swyft service fee |
Most Colorado trade name problems come down to the same handful of errors. Here is what to watch out for before you file.
If you are an individual or a general partnership, your Colorado trade name must be renewed each year for $5. Miss the renewal and the trade name lapses. [2]
Colorado only accepts trade name filings online through the Secretary of State. There is no mail or in-person paper filing. [1]
A sole proprietor cannot include "LLC," "Inc.," or "Corp" in a trade name unless the business is actually organized that way. The designator must match your real structure.
A trade name is only a name. It does not create a legal entity and does not shield your personal finances. If you want protection, form an LLC.
State registration is not trademark clearance. A federal trademark holder could still force you to stop using the name. [3]
Your online confirmation is your proof of filing. Save it with your business records; banks and vendors may ask for it.
[1] Colorado Secretary of State. Trade Names Business FAQs. Accessed on June 4, 2026.
[2] Justia. C.R.S. Section 7-71-105, Renewal of Statement of Trade Name. Accessed on June 4, 2026.
[3] U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Trademarks. Accessed on June 4, 2026.
[4] Colorado Secretary of State. Business Database Search. Accessed on June 4, 2026.
Colorado Secretary of State Business Center. File and renew a trade name online.
IRS. Get an Employer Identification Number (EIN).
U.S. Small Business Administration. SBA Colorado District Office supports small businesses.
MyBizColorado. State portal to register a business and tax accounts.
Doing Business As (DBA) rules are highly localized. Some states handle them regionally, while others use local counties. Select a state below to see how to register your brand name.