WEBVTT 00:00:00.160 --> 00:00:06.400 The 5 best registered agents in Colorado in 2026 are Mainstay Filing, Northwest 00:00:06.444 --> 00:00:11.600 Registered Agent, CO Registered Agent.org, Bizee, and 00:00:11.671 --> 00:00:13.840 Colorado Registered Agent.co. 00:00:13.840 --> 00:00:16.200 Welcome to The Business Formation Podcast. 00:00:16.300 --> 00:00:19.680 I keep hearing Colorado is picky about who can be an agent. 00:00:19.733 --> 00:00:20.480 Is that right? 00:00:20.480 --> 00:00:26.400 A little. An individual needs a Colorado ID or has to verify residency, and the 00:00:26.450 --> 00:00:28.640 address has to be open in business hours. 00:00:28.756 --> 00:00:33.040 Changing agents is a Statement of Change, ten dollars online. 00:00:35.950 --> 00:00:38.323 Start with the basics. Who qualifies? 00:00:38.323 --> 00:00:43.843 An individual over 18 with a primary residence or a usual place of business in 00:00:43.905 --> 00:00:48.643 Colorado, or an entity in good standing with the Secretary of State that has a usual 00:00:48.696 --> 00:00:50.243 place of business here. 00:00:50.243 --> 00:00:51.683 You mentioned an ID. 00:00:51.683 --> 00:00:57.203 Since a change in Colorado law in 2024, an individual agent needs a valid Colorado 00:00:57.249 --> 00:01:02.003 driver's license or ID card, or has to verify their residency status. 00:01:02.323 --> 00:01:07.283 A filing naming an individual without a Colorado ID can go to review. 00:01:07.283 --> 00:01:09.363 Can my own LLC be the agent? 00:01:09.363 --> 00:01:13.363 Yes, after it's registered, but it takes two steps. 00:01:13.503 --> 00:01:18.483 You name another agent first, then file a change putting the company in that seat. 00:01:18.623 --> 00:01:22.483 And there's only ever one agent, who has to consent. 00:01:22.483 --> 00:01:23.843 What about the address? 00:01:23.843 --> 00:01:28.403 A physical street address in Colorado where the place is normally open during 00:01:28.447 --> 00:01:33.123 business hours. The state's FAQ says commercial or P.O. 00:01:33.163 --> 00:01:36.083 box addresses can't be the agent's street address. 00:01:36.363 --> 00:01:40.643 A separate mailing address can be a box, but it has to be in Colorado. 00:01:40.643 --> 00:01:43.363 By the way, I'm Maya, here with Dan. 00:01:43.363 --> 00:01:46.083 And that's the setup. On to the five. 00:01:46.849 --> 00:01:47.969 Where do we start? 00:01:47.969 --> 00:01:54.849 Mainstay Filing: $149 a year, and $149 when it renews. 00:01:54.849 --> 00:01:56.289 What does that buy? 00:01:56.289 --> 00:02:00.929 Its Colorado address replaces yours on the public record, and the state says the 00:02:00.986 --> 00:02:05.569 public can see what you file. Court papers are scanned and uploaded the same 00:02:05.622 --> 00:02:10.929 business day, at no charge. The first three government mailings each year are 00:02:10.989 --> 00:02:12.609 scanned free as well. 00:02:12.609 --> 00:02:14.289 Is switching a chore? 00:02:14.289 --> 00:02:17.329 Mainstay files the Statement of Change for you. 00:02:17.409 --> 00:02:20.448 The ten-dollar state fee is passed along at cost. 00:02:21.029 --> 00:02:21.809 The downside? 00:02:21.809 --> 00:02:25.249 It's not the lowest flat price on the list. 00:02:25.356 --> 00:02:28.769 If you want that, look at numbers three and five. 00:02:29.477 --> 00:02:30.197 Second. 00:02:30.197 --> 00:02:34.037 Northwest Registered Agent, $125 a year. 00:02:34.197 --> 00:02:38.837 It says it hasn't raised that price in two decades, and it scans up to ten pieces of 00:02:38.890 --> 00:02:41.637 ordinary business mail a year for free. 00:02:41.637 --> 00:02:42.437 The catch? 00:02:42.437 --> 00:02:48.197 A default enrollment in its annual report service, which is $100 plus state fees for 00:02:48.237 --> 00:02:52.677 every filing. You can cancel it whenever you like, according to its page. 00:02:52.677 --> 00:02:56.037 And Colorado's periodic report is $25? 00:02:56.037 --> 00:03:02.997 So with the service on, you'd pay $100 plus that $25, or $125, 00:03:03.024 --> 00:03:08.437 in the year it files. On its own, the agent is the $125 flat. 00:03:09.477 --> 00:03:11.077 Three. 00:03:11.077 --> 00:03:15.957 CO Registered Agent.org: $99 a year, the same at renewal. 00:03:16.237 --> 00:03:20.997 A registered address on file, same-day scanning of legal documents, and compliance 00:03:21.045 --> 00:03:24.117 reminders before state deadlines. 00:03:24.117 --> 00:03:26.437 What would a switch cost me? 00:03:26.437 --> 00:03:29.317 The ten-dollar state fee, and nothing from them. 00:03:29.417 --> 00:03:33.797 The thing to remember is that periodic report filing is its own service. 00:03:33.797 --> 00:03:37.157 Against Mainstay? 00:03:37.157 --> 00:03:43.957 $99 and $149 differ by $50 a year, so $150 over three 00:03:44.037 --> 00:03:44.517 years. 00:03:45.240 --> 00:03:46.200 Four. 00:03:46.200 --> 00:03:50.920 Bizee, formerly Incfile. You get the agent free for the first year when you buy a 00:03:50.968 --> 00:03:55.240 formation package. Year two onward, it's $149 a year. 00:03:55.240 --> 00:03:56.360 Automatic? 00:03:56.360 --> 00:04:03.320 Yes, it renews on its own. So over three years that's zero, plus $149, plus 00:04:03.380 --> 00:04:06.920 $149, or $298. 00:04:06.920 --> 00:04:08.840 But only if I form with them. 00:04:08.840 --> 00:04:12.600 Right. For an LLC that's already formed, there's no free year. 00:04:13.745 --> 00:04:14.545 And five? 00:04:14.545 --> 00:04:19.625 Colorado Registered Agent.co: a flat $99 a year. 00:04:19.695 --> 00:04:24.785 The registered office, same-day scanning of court papers, reminders ahead of state 00:04:24.849 --> 00:04:25.426 deadlines. 00:04:25.426 --> 00:04:27.425 Is that different from number three? 00:04:27.425 --> 00:04:32.625 On paper, no. Same price, same catch about report filing. 00:04:32.737 --> 00:04:34.865 Pick whichever site you like better. 00:04:35.511 --> 00:04:38.231 You've mentioned the periodic report a couple of times. 00:04:38.295 --> 00:04:39.271 What is it? 00:04:39.271 --> 00:04:42.391 Colorado's yearly filing, $25 online. 00:04:42.578 --> 00:04:47.191 It's due in the entity's periodic report month, and the state lets you file up to 00:04:47.211 --> 00:04:50.152 two months early or two months late without a penalty. 00:04:50.152 --> 00:04:51.511 And after that? 00:04:51.511 --> 00:04:57.111 A $50 late penalty. The report is also a chance to update or confirm the registered 00:04:57.178 --> 00:04:57.751 agent. 00:04:57.751 --> 00:05:00.311 So there are two ways to change the agent? 00:05:00.311 --> 00:05:05.431 Two or three. The standalone Statement of Change, the periodic report, or a 00:05:05.479 --> 00:05:09.191 Statement of Correction at $10 if something was filed wrong. 00:05:09.191 --> 00:05:12.791 What does year one cost with a $99 agent? 00:05:12.791 --> 00:05:17.031 The Articles of Organization are $50, filed online only. 00:05:17.191 --> 00:05:23.831 So that's $50 plus $99. Then each year is the $25 report plus 00:05:23.877 --> 00:05:27.271 $99, or $124. 00:05:27.271 --> 00:05:28.311 And Mainstay? 00:05:28.311 --> 00:05:34.871 $25 plus $149 is $174 a year after the 00:05:34.951 --> 00:05:35.511 first. 00:05:36.204 --> 00:05:38.684 Where does the agent first show up? 00:05:38.684 --> 00:05:42.284 In the Articles of Organization, which are filed online only. 00:05:42.444 --> 00:05:47.324 The form asks for the agent's name, the Colorado street address, the mailing 00:05:47.384 --> 00:05:50.044 address, and a statement of the agent's consent. 00:05:50.044 --> 00:05:52.204 Does it matter that it's all public? 00:05:52.204 --> 00:05:57.004 It does. The filing page says the public will be able to see any information or 00:05:57.060 --> 00:06:01.884 documents you provide. If you name yourself, your street address goes in that 00:06:01.941 --> 00:06:02.844 record. 00:06:02.844 --> 00:06:05.964 So being your own agent has a privacy cost. 00:06:05.964 --> 00:06:11.724 And a scheduling cost. The place has to be open during normal business hours, so 00:06:11.768 --> 00:06:14.684 somebody needs to be there when a process server comes by. 00:06:16.204 --> 00:06:18.203 Show me the actual change. 00:06:18.203 --> 00:06:22.284 It's the Statement of Change Changing the Registered Agent Information. 00:06:22.444 --> 00:06:25.484 It costs $10 and you file online. 00:06:25.564 --> 00:06:28.204 Online documents are processed in real time. 00:06:28.204 --> 00:06:29.883 Is there a consent step? 00:06:29.883 --> 00:06:34.284 There is. You check a box to affirm that the registered agent has consented to the 00:06:34.337 --> 00:06:38.444 appointment. The street address cannot be a post office box. 00:06:38.444 --> 00:06:39.244 Can I schedule it? 00:06:39.244 --> 00:06:44.444 Yes. It can be effective immediately, or on a delayed date up to 90 days out. 00:06:45.233 --> 00:06:46.513 What if my agent quits? 00:06:46.513 --> 00:06:51.633 They file a Statement of Change Regarding Resignation, $10, and have to deliver 00:06:51.690 --> 00:06:56.593 notice of it to your company. It takes effect on the 31st day after filing, or 00:06:56.663 --> 00:06:58.833 earlier if a new agent is appointed. 00:06:59.033 --> 00:07:02.233 A delayed date up to the 90th day is possible too. 00:07:02.233 --> 00:07:04.273 And if I never name someone new? 00:07:04.273 --> 00:07:09.633 The Secretary of State can find the entity out of compliance and give you 60 days to 00:07:09.683 --> 00:07:12.913 correct it. If you don't, it becomes delinquent. 00:07:13.513 --> 00:07:15.872 Delinquent, not dissolved. 00:07:15.872 --> 00:07:20.913 That's Colorado's word. Even a delinquent domestic entity must keep a registered 00:07:20.980 --> 00:07:26.673 agent. To cure it you file a Statement Curing Delinquency for $100, and the name is 00:07:26.721 --> 00:07:28.433 held for 400 days. 00:07:28.433 --> 00:07:30.033 And lawsuits in the gap? 00:07:30.033 --> 00:07:35.793 With no agent, or one who can't be served, the company can be served by registered 00:07:35.846 --> 00:07:38.513 or certified mail at its principal address. 00:07:39.770 --> 00:07:42.490 How would you choose, if you're in Denver or Colorado Springs? 00:07:42.490 --> 00:07:48.250 Look at three things. A price that doesn't jump, a street address that's open in 00:07:48.294 --> 00:07:53.170 business hours, and a service that files the Statement of Change for you. 00:07:53.170 --> 00:07:54.170 Which is? 00:07:54.170 --> 00:07:59.850 Mainstay Filing. Our pick for Colorado, at $149 a year. 00:08:00.645 --> 00:08:01.684 Say them all once more. 00:08:01.684 --> 00:08:07.205 One, Mainstay Filing: $149 a year, same at renewal. 00:08:07.485 --> 00:08:14.485 Two, Northwest: $125, and cancel the report service if you won't use it. 00:08:14.725 --> 00:08:20.725 Three, CO Registered Agent.org: $99 flat. 00:08:21.013 --> 00:08:26.485 Four, Bizee: free the first year with a formation order, then 00:08:26.545 --> 00:08:32.485 $149. Five, Colorado Registered Agent.co: 00:08:32.599 --> 00:08:34.805 $99 flat. 00:08:34.805 --> 00:08:36.645 The links are in the show notes. 00:08:36.748 --> 00:08:40.085 Thanks for listening to The Business Formation Podcast.