Colorado LLC Name Search — Check Availability

Before forming your LLC in Colorado, you need to verify that your desired name is available. The Colorado Secretary of State maintains a searchable database of all registered business entities at sos.colorado.gov. This page covers the name search process, Colorado naming rules, and what to do if your name is taken.

How to Search the Colorado Business Database

The Colorado Secretary of State Business Database is available free at sos.colorado.gov:

1. Go to sos.colorado.gov
2. Navigate to "Business" then "Search" (or go directly to the Business Database)
3. Enter your desired LLC name (without the designator for broader results)
4. Review results for exact matches and similar names
5. Check for similar names that might be considered "not distinguishable"

The search is free and returns results instantly. You can search as many names as you want.

Colorado Naming Rules

Your Colorado LLC name must comply with these requirements:

Must include a designator:

• "Limited Liability Company"
• "LLC"
• "L.L.C."

Must be distinguishable from all existing entities on the Secretary of State's records. "Distinguishable" in Colorado means the name must be different enough that the SOS determines it won't be confused with an existing entity. Minor variations (adding "The," changing "and" to "&") may not be sufficient.

Restricted words require additional licensing:

• "Bank," "Banking," "Banker" — requires Division of Banking approval
• "Insurance," "Insurer" — requires Division of Insurance approval
• "University," "College" — requires Colorado Department of Higher Education approval
• "Engineer," "Engineering" — may require Board of Licensure approval

Cannot imply a different entity type:

• Cannot include "Corporation," "Corp.," "Inc.," "Incorporated"
• Cannot include "Limited Partnership," "LP"

Name Distinguishability Standards

Colorado's SOS applies these standards when determining if a name is distinguishable:

• Punctuation, spacing, and capitalization differences alone don't make names distinguishable
• Adding a geographic term (e.g., "Denver" vs "Colorado Springs") usually does make them distinguishable
• Adding a descriptive word (e.g., "Solutions" vs "Services") usually does
• The LLC/Corp/LP entity type designation alone doesn't make names distinguishable — "Acme LLC" and "Acme Corp" would conflict

What If Your Name Is Taken?

If your preferred name is already registered in Colorado:

1. Modify the name — Add a distinguishing word (geographic area, industry term, descriptive word)
2. Check if the existing entity is inactive — If the entity has been dissolved or is delinquent, the name may become available after a waiting period
3. Choose a completely different name — Sometimes the easiest path
4. Contact the existing entity — If they're no longer operating, they may consent to your use (though this is rare and impractical)

Name Reservation

If you find an available name but aren't ready to file your Articles of Organization immediately, you can reserve the name for 120 days by filing a Statement of Reservation for $25.

Beyond the State Database

Verifying state availability is necessary but not sufficient. Also consider:

• Federal trademark search — Check the USPTO database (tess2.uspto.gov) for federally registered trademarks
• Domain name availability — Check if a matching .com is available for your business website
• Social media handles — Verify the name is available on platforms you'll use
• County-level DBAs — Other businesses may operate under similar trade names without state registration

FAQ

Is the name search free?

Yes. The Colorado Secretary of State business database search is completely free and returns instant results at sos.colorado.gov.

How do I know if my name is "distinguishable"?

If the SOS database returns an exact match or very close match (same words, different order), your name likely won't be accepted. If you're unsure, file anyway — the SOS will reject it (at no cost to you in that case) if there's a conflict, or you can call the SOS at (303) 894-2200 to ask before filing.

Can I use a DBA instead of changing my LLC name?

Yes. You can form your LLC with an available legal name and then file a Trade Name (DBA) registration for $20 with the Colorado SOS. This lets you operate publicly under a different name. But the LLC's legal name must still be unique.

What if someone forms an LLC with my name after I search but before I file?

This is possible if there's a delay between your search and filing. To prevent this, reserve the name immediately for $25, or file your Articles of Organization right away.

Does my LLC name need to include "Colorado"?

No. There is no requirement to include the state name. Your LLC just needs one of the approved designators (LLC, L.L.C., or Limited Liability Company).