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A Guide to Colorado LLC or INC Business Name Search

If you are planning to start a business, any business then one of the first steps is to focus on a company name. The importance of the name is paramount as the products or services as well as the probable customers who will be connected to or with the brand name. There are several ways to choose the right business name and that is something we will discuss in this guide. We will also focus on the process of Colorado business name search, which is as important a process as choosing a name. This guide will further throw light on the Colorado business name rules for LLCs and Corporations.

Colorado Business Entity Search

A business name is considered as the cornerstone of any brand and if you want your startup to stand apart from others, then you need to choose the right name. There are examples of several big brands who created their names from a concept e.g., Adidas focused on the concept of quality and innovation and created a tagline – impossible is nothing. You can imagine the sheer power behind such a brand. But the important question is where do you really start?

If you are thinking of launching your business in the state of Colorado then it will be beneficial to choose a name that reflects what the company offers (products or services) and will also help in impressing investors. Once you have chosen such a name, you need to determine Colorado business name availability because if the chosen name is not available then you will have to make necessary changes to the name. This may not be a favorable factor for your brand.

A business name can be short and simple (Hilton), they can be innovative (Twitter, which has been renamed as ‘X’ – simple and intriguing) and even a short form like BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke). There is no limit to the type or size of business name but such a name has to be compliant with Colorado state laws and can be used for conducting a Colorado business name search. Let’s look at some of the aspects to consider for choosing the right business name.

  • You need to avoid names that will be hard to spell for any customer. A simple and straightforward name like Orange Inc., or Stone LLC., would be perfect
  • It is also important to follow the Colorado business name rules and guidelines
  • Always try and choose a business name that will not limit your company. For example, books4kids can be limiting as you may want to diversify into adult books or comics in the near future
  • Ensure that the chosen company name is consistent with the brand image
  • Ensure your chosen name is not similar to that of a competitor
  • Always conduct a Colorado business name search prior to reserving or registering the name with the state
  • Pick an entity name that will be web-friendly as this will ensure domain name is available for such a name
  • Lastly, you can also get some good company name ideas by using online business name generators

It is important to remember that your business name will play a key role in helping you to increase sales. It will also help in creating customer loyalty.

What is a Colorado business name search?

Once you have chosen the type of structure like an LLC or a C Corporation, the next step would be to identify a company name based on Colorado business name rules. Once a name has been chosen, you will need to check if you can actually use such a name in the state of Colorado. This is possible by conducting a Colorado business name search. This is a type of entity search that is available in all states of the USA although the process of searching and facilitating authority will be different. The governing authority for an entity name search is facilitated by the office of the Colorado Secretary of State.

There are two types of Colorado business name search that you can opt for and they are:

  • Business Database Search – This will enable you to search for a business name, trademark, trade name, ID or document number
  • Business Entity Search – This will enable you to search for businesses active and uses Organization name or Organizational ID# to facilitate the process.

Let’s look at an example to understand the concept and process of Colorado business entity search.

Example: You want to establish a limited liability company or a corporation in Colorado. You want to start a business focusing on providing a vacation rental experience. You have chosen a name called “Evolve”. When you conduct a Colorado business entity search, it brings up a company with the same name based in Denver, CO. Now, if you make a few changes to the same name and search for “Evolve tours” then such a name is shown to be available.

You can conduct a simple name availability search or an advanced business name search. The latter is used for company names as well as trade name searches.

Naming your Colorado LLC

If you have taken a decision to form a limited liability company then one of the foremost processes is to name your company. A business name will provide a face to your LLC and it can be used for reaching out to your prospective customers. An effective business name is a name that conveys information about the values of the company as well as the quality of its offerings like specialized services. The name of your LLC will also have an impact on your overall business strategy. So, let’s take a look at the important areas to focus on including conducting a Colorado LLC name search.

General LLC naming rules

Naming your limited liability company can be a short process or a long process. When choosing a LLC name, it is important to follow the Colorado business name rules and guidelines as regulated by 2022 Colorado Code, Title 7 – Corporations and Associations, Article 90 – Colorado Corporations and Associations Act, Part 6 – Entity Names. You will also need to conduct a Colorado LLC name search after choosing a name compliant with governing laws. The general rules for an LLC name are:

  • Your company name should have words like Limited Liability Company or limited liability co.
  • The business name can have abbreviations like LLC or L.L.C. pursuant to CO Code § 7-90-601 (2022)
  • The business name should be distinguishable from any other name in the database of the Colorado Secretary of State like JB LLC is not the same as JB Limited Liability Company
  • The law states that a business cannot use a name that implies or is similar to that of a government agency or unit
  • It is important to note that the reservation of names containing certain words are prohibited like “bank” or “trust.”

If your LLC name is compliant with the state naming rules and guidelines then it will aid in the process of Colorado business entity search thus ensuring you are able to reserve your business name quickly.

Search LLC name availability on the Colorado Secretary of State’s website

Once you have identified a name for your limited-liability company, it is necessary to conduct a Colorado business name availability search. The office of the Secretary of State offers an online portal that will enable a name search for your LLC. This search brings up any similar names after searching through the entire state database also known as a business entity database. There are different ways to conduct the search and they are:

Name availability search is the most common form of Colorado LLC name search. This type of search can be used by both new and existing businesses as well as domestic and foreign LLC’s. When you opt for this option, you will be able to check if your chosen name is available or not available. Let’s look at an example to understand this process.

Example: If you want to start a limited liability company and have chosen a simple name like “Alex LLC”. Now, if you conduct the Colorado business entity search then it shows ‘name not available’. A company with the name ‘Alex LLC’ already exists in Denver, CO and enjoys a ‘Good Standing’ status with the state. Now if you change the name to ‘Alex and Sons LLC’ and conduct the Colorado LLC name search again then it shows the status – the name is available. Now you can reserve the name with the state.

There are other options for conducting a Colorado business name availability search are:

  • Advanced Search using registered agent name or Trade name
  • Entity search using organization name or Organizational ID #
  • Business survey information search
  • Trademark advanced search

The above options are used by businesses that have already registered in the state or are foreign entities.

Are you planning to form an LLC in Colorado?

Naming your Colorado Corporation

A Colorado Corporation is considered as one of the best forms of business to operate. It is also known as a traditional corporation or a C Corp and once you form this type of company, you can always elect S Corp tax status. If you have taken the decision to incorporate in this state or move your existing business from another state then it becomes necessary to first identify a corporate name. If your company is a foreign entity then you can conduct a Colorado Corporation name search for the existing name. If it is a new domestic entity then you need to choose a name while ensuring the name is compliant with all Colorado business name rules and regulations. Let’s look at some of the important aspects to consider when naming your business corporation.

General Corporation naming rules

When choosing a corporate name, there are several aspects that should be considered like:

  • The purpose of your company,
  • The products or services being offered,
  • The need to create a distinctive impression,
  • The idea that is being delivered to the consumer should be relevant

Last but not the least; whether you form a domestic entity or a foreign corporation, the company name should be in accordance with the Colorado business name rules and guidelines as mentioned in the 2022 Colorado Code, Title 7, Article 90. Once you have chosen a proper name, the process doesn’t end there. You will need to reserve the name and for that it is important to conduct Colorado Corporation name search first. Some of the important aspects to consider are:

  • The company name should contain words like “corporation”, “company”, “incorporated”, or “limited”
  • The company name may contain abbreviations as well like “corp.”, “co.”, “inc.”, or “ltd.”
  • The chosen name should not imply that the said corporation has been organized for any purpose other than what has been outlined in the articles of incorporation.
  • The law states that the application for reservation of name will be rejected if it contains certain words will like Bank, Banking, Engineer, etc
  • The chosen name should be distinguishable from those already existing in the state entity database e.g., LKC Inc is the same as L.K.C. Inc.

Once you have chosen a business name in accordance with the above naming guidelines, it is necessary to conduct a Colorado Corporation name search again. If your chosen name is available then it will reduce the possibility of the said name getting rejected.

Search Corporation name availability on the Colorado Secretary of State’s website

The Colorado business name availability search is the most important step towards name reservation in the state. If your company name is not reserved then you will not be able to incorporate in this state. The Colorado Corporation name search is facilitated by the online portal of the Colorado Secretary of State. There are different ways by which you can conduct this search and they are:

Name availability search is the most commonly opted for Colorado business entity search option. You can perform a name search through this option with ease. You can utilize this option for both new and existing businesses as well as domestic and foreign Corporations. Let’s look at an example to understand this process.

Example: Your name is Adele and you want to start a business corporation in Colorado. You have chosen a simple name like “A Corp.”. Now, if you conduct the Colorado business name search then it shows ‘name not available’. A company with the name ‘A Corp.’ already exists in Blanca, CO and enjoys a ‘Good Standing’ status with the state. Now if you change the name to ‘Adele Corp’ and conduct the Colorado business name availability search again then it shows the status – the name is available. Now you can reserve the name with the state.

There are other options for conducting a Colorado business entity search. These are:

  • Advanced Search using registered agent name or Trade name
  • Entity search using organization name or Organizational ID #
  • Business survey information search
  • Trademark advanced search

The above options are used by businesses that have already registered in the state or are foreign entities.

Are you thinking of Incorporating in Colorado?

Need any Assistance in a Colorado Business Name Search?

A corporate name or an LLC name is the most important aspect of any business as it helps in creating an identity for your company. An impactful name will make your business stand out and this is good from the perspective of marketing, sales, and competition. Hence, choosing the right name is not the only important step but it should be followed by conducting a Colorado business name search. This process will ensure your chosen name can be used in this state.

The entire process of Colorado business name availability search and name reservation may look complex and we are here to help! We, at IncParadise, can provide meaningful assistance. If you are planning to form a limited liability company or a C corporation in Colorado then we can help you with new business formation requirements as well as additional services that will help you comply with annual state requirements.

Are you thinking of starting a new business in Colorado?