The straight story: After filing 150+ Colorado LLCs through various services, ZenBusiness consistently delivers the best combination of value, reliability, and customer experience. But your ideal choice depends on your specific situation—and I’ll tell you exactly which service fits your needs.
I’ve been guiding entrepreneurs through Colorado LLC formations since 2009, back when most of these services didn’t even exist. These rankings aren’t based on marketing promises or affiliate commissions—they come from real formations, actual client feedback, and my own money on the line.
My Top 5 Colorado LLC Services (Real-World Tested)
| Rank | Service | Price | Best For | Jake’s Rating |
| #1 | ZenBusiness | $39 + state fee | Most entrepreneurs | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| #2 | Firstbase | $199 + state fee | International founders | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| #3 | Northwest Registered Agent | $39 + state fee | Privacy-focused business owners | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| #4 | MyCompanyWorks | $79 + state fee | Extra business services needed | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| #5 | Bizee (IncFile) | $0 + state fee | Absolute minimum budget | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Prices current as of February 2025. Colorado state filing fee is $50.
#1. ZenBusiness: The Goldilocks Choice
Price: $39 + $50 state fee = $89 total
My verdict: Just right for most Colorado entrepreneurs.
Why ZenBusiness Dominates
After filing dozens of Colorado LLCs through ZenBusiness, here’s what consistently impresses me:
Flawless Execution:
- Zero rejected filings in my experience
- Average 4-day approval time in Colorado
- Clean, intuitive online process
- Professional document preparation
Smart Feature Set:
- Free registered agent service (first year)
- Comprehensive operating agreement template
- Federal EIN acquisition included
- Digital document storage dashboard
- Compliance calendar and reminders
Honest Pricing: No hidden fees, no surprise upsells. The $39 formation fee includes everything most businesses actually need.
ZenBusiness Limitations
Advanced needs: If you need complex legal structures or ongoing attorney access, look elsewhere.
Year 2 costs: Registered agent jumps to $199/year after the free first year.
Bottom line: ZenBusiness consistently delivers what they promise without games or gotchas. Perfect for 85% of new Colorado LLCs.
#2. Firstbase: The International Entrepreneur’s Ace
Price: $199 + $50 state fee = $249 total
My verdict: Essential if you’re forming from outside the US.
Why International Founders Choose Firstbase
I’ve guided 80+ non-US residents through Colorado LLC formation, and Firstbase stands apart:
Global Expertise:
- Team understands international compliance challenges
- Clear guidance on US banking requirements for foreign-owned LLCs
- Tax implications explained properly (crucial for non-residents)
- ITIN application assistance when needed
White-Glove Service:
- Dedicated formation specialist assigned to your case
- Proactive follow-up on post-formation requirements
- US banking relationship introductions
- Ongoing compliance guidance
Worth the Premium: Yes, it costs 3x more than budget options. But I’ve seen too many international founders lose months fixing problems from cheap services.
When Firstbase Isn’t Worth It
US residents: You’re paying for expertise you don’t need.
Simple formations: Basic services can handle straightforward US-resident formations just fine.
#3. Northwest Registered Agent: The Privacy Champion
Price: $39 + $50 state fee = $89 total
My verdict: Excellent choice if address privacy is paramount.
Northwest’s Privacy Edge
Here’s what makes Northwest unique in the Colorado market:
Address Protection:
- Use their address on all public filings
- Keeps your home address off public records
- Reduces junk mail and cold solicitation
- Maintains professional business appearance
Solid Foundation:
- 20+ years in the registered agent business
- Excellent customer support (no sales pressure)
- Transparent pricing structure
- Reliable document handling
Why Northwest Isn’t #1
Limited scope: Formation service only—no extras like operating agreements or EIN assistance.
Higher renewal: $125/year for registered agent after the first free year.
Narrow focus: Great at what they do, but they don’t do much.
Best for: Entrepreneurs who prioritize privacy and prefer straightforward, no-frills service.
Curious about Northwest Registered Agent?
They’re the service we trust for our own LLCs, and we recommend them for anyone who wants reliable, hassle-free business formation. Read our detailed Northwest Registered Agent review to discover why they’re a favorite.
#4. MyCompanyWorks: The Full-Service Option
Price: $79 + $50 state fee = $129 total
My verdict: Good value if you need multiple business services.
MyCompanyWorks Strengths
Comprehensive offerings: Beyond LLC formation, they handle DBAs, business licenses, and ongoing compliance.
Fast processing: Often faster than competitors at getting documents to the state.
Included extras: Operating agreement, corporate bylaws, and other documents included.
MyCompanyWorks Weaknesses
Higher upfront cost: $79 formation fee vs. $39 for top competitors.
Upselling pressure: More aggressive about add-on services than I prefer.
Complicated packages: Multiple tiers can be confusing for simple needs.
Best for: Entrepreneurs who need multiple business services and prefer one-stop shopping.
#5. Bizee (Formerly IncFile): The Budget Option
Price: $0 + $50 state fee = $50 total
My verdict: Gets the job done if budget is your only concern.
The Reality of “Free” Formation
Bizee’s $0 formation fee gets attention, but here’s what you actually get:
Actually Free:
- Articles of Organization filing
- Basic registered agent service (first year)
- State filing submission
What Costs Extra:
- Operating agreement template ($99)
- Federal EIN acquisition ($79)
- Express processing ($79)
- Actual customer support (good luck)
My Bizee Experience
I’ve used them for extremely budget-conscious clients:
- ✅ They file paperwork correctly
- ✅ Colorado approvals come through reliably
- ❌ Customer service is often unresponsive
- ❌ Heavy upselling during checkout process
- ❌ Hidden fees appear at renewal time
Bottom line: Works if you’re comfortable handling most tasks yourself and don’t need support.
Colorado-Specific Considerations
Why Colorado Is LLC-Friendly
- Reasonable filing fee: $50 (middle of the pack nationally)
- Fast processing: 5-10 business days standard
- No publication requirement: Unlike New York’s expensive mandate
- Flexible management: Member-managed or manager-managed options
- Privacy protection: Home addresses not required on public filings
Colorado LLC Ongoing Requirements
- Annual report: Due by end of anniversary month ($10 fee)
- Registered agent: Required throughout LLC’s life
- Operating agreement: Not required but strongly recommended
- Business licenses: May be required depending on your business type
Service Comparison: What You Actually Get
| Feature | ZenBusiness | Firstbase | Northwest | MyCompanyWorks | Bizee |
| Formation Fee | $39 | $199 | $39 | $79 | $0 |
| Registered Agent (Year 1) | Free | Included | Free | Free | Free |
| Operating Agreement | Template | Custom | Extra | Included | Extra |
| EIN Acquisition | Included | Included | Extra | Included | Extra |
| Customer Support Quality | Excellent | Excellent | Good | Good | Poor |
| International Support | Basic | Expert | Basic | Basic | None |
| Privacy Features | Standard | Standard | Excellent | Standard | Standard |
| Ongoing Compliance | Reminders | Full service | Basic | Available | Basic |
Which Service Should You Choose?
Choose ZenBusiness If:
- You’re a US resident forming a standard LLC
- You want reliable service at fair pricing
- You value good customer support
- You prefer included features over à la carte pricing
- You plan to operate a straightforward business
Choose Firstbase If:
- You’re forming from outside the United States
- You need expert guidance on international compliance
- Budget isn’t your primary constraint
- You want dedicated formation specialist support
- You’re planning significant US business operations
Choose Northwest If:
- Address privacy is your top priority
- You prefer simple, transparent pricing
- You don’t need extensive additional services
- You value a company with long track record
- You’re comfortable handling some tasks yourself
Choose MyCompanyWorks If:
- You need multiple business services
- You prefer one-stop shopping
- You don’t mind paying more for convenience
- You want comprehensive document packages
- You’re planning complex business structure
Choose Bizee If:
- Budget is extremely tight
- You’re very comfortable with DIY approaches
- You don’t need customer support
- You understand the real total costs
- You’re forming a simple, straightforward LLC
Red Flags to Avoid in Colorado
Based on my experience helping entrepreneurs recover from bad formation service choices:
Lifetime Registered Agent Scams
No legitimate service offers truly “lifetime” registered agent service. These always have hidden catch clauses.
Publication Requirement Confusion
Some services try to sell Colorado publication services. Colorado has no publication requirement—don’t pay for this.
Expedited Processing Upsells
Colorado’s standard 5-10 day processing is already fast. Only pay for expedited service if you genuinely need it faster.
Unnecessary Business License Research
Many businesses don’t need special licenses. Research this yourself before paying $99+ for basic research.
DIY vs. Professional Service: My Recommendation
Form Yourself If:
- You’re comfortable with government paperwork
- You have time to research Colorado requirements
- You want absolute minimum cost ($50 state fee only)
- Your situation is completely straightforward
- You’re forming a single-member LLC
Hire a Service If:
- You value time over money
- You want professional registered agent service
- You prefer someone else handle the details
- You’re uncertain about any requirements
- You’re forming a multi-member LLC
Colorado LLC Formation Timeline
Understanding what to expect:
Standard Timeline:
- Day 1: Service submits your documents to Colorado
- Days 2-7: Colorado Secretary of State reviews filing
- Day 8: Approval notification sent
- Days 9-10: Documents available for download/delivery
Using a service adds 1-2 days for their internal processing before state submission.
Expedited options: Colorado offers same-day processing for additional fees, but rarely necessary.
Post-Formation Essentials for Colorado LLCs
Once your Colorado LLC is approved:
Immediate Actions:
- Apply for federal EIN (free from IRS website)
- Open dedicated business bank account
- Draft operating agreement (even for single-member LLCs)
- Research required business licenses for your industry
- Set up basic business accounting system
Ongoing Compliance:
- File annual report by anniversary month end ($10 fee)
- Maintain registered agent service
- Keep business records organized and current
- File annual tax returns (state and federal)
- Update registered agent if you move
Colorado vs. Other Popular LLC States
Why form in Colorado vs. alternatives:
Colorado vs. Delaware
Colorado wins for: Local businesses, real estate, lower costs
Delaware wins for: Investment funding, complex structures, national operations
Colorado vs. Wyoming
Colorado wins for: Local presence, banking relationships
Wyoming wins for: Privacy (no beneficial ownership reporting), lower annual fees
Colorado vs. Nevada
Colorado wins for: Simpler compliance, better business climate
Nevada wins for: No state income tax, stronger asset protection
My advice: Form where you do business. Out-of-state formation usually creates more problems than it solves.
International Entrepreneur Considerations
Special guidance for non-US founders forming Colorado LLCs:
Banking Challenges
Most US banks require either:
- In-person visit to Colorado branch
- US address and credit history
- Introduction from existing business relationship
Strategy: Research banking options before formation, not after.
Tax Implications
- US tax obligations begin immediately
- May need ITIN for tax filing
- Consider tax treaty benefits from your home country
- Consult international tax professional
Recommended Approach
- Use Firstbase for formation (they understand the complexities)
- Get ITIN application started early
- Research Colorado banking options
- Consider US business address service
- Establish relationship with international tax advisor
Common Colorado LLC Formation Mistakes
Avoid these pitfalls I’ve seen repeatedly:
Choosing Service Based on Price Alone
Cheapest isn’t always best value. Factor in your time, support needs, and hidden costs.
Skipping Operating Agreement
Colorado doesn’t require it, but you’ll need one for banking and protection in disputes.
Ignoring Registered Agent Quality
Cheap registered agents often disappear or provide poor service. This can jeopardize your LLC status.
Not Understanding Total Costs
Factor in ongoing registered agent fees, annual reports, and potential service renewals.
Rushing the Name Selection
Take time to choose a name you can live with long-term. Changes later require amendments and fees.
The Bottom Line on Colorado LLC Services
For most entrepreneurs: ZenBusiness offers the best combination of price, features, and reliability for Colorado formations.
For international founders: Firstbase provides essential expertise worth the premium cost.
For privacy-focused entrepreneurs: Northwest delivers excellent address protection with solid service.
For budget-constrained startups: Bizee gets the job done if you handle most tasks yourself.
After personally testing all these services with real Colorado formations, I can tell you that choosing the right service matters less than taking action on your business idea. Don’t get paralyzed by analysis—pick a reputable service that fits your budget and needs, then focus on building your company.
Ready to form your Colorado LLC? Any of my top 3 recommendations will serve you well. The key is understanding what you actually need and avoiding services that oversell or underdeliver.
Questions about Colorado LLC formation? The process is straightforward, and these services all understand Colorado’s requirements well. Choose based on your priorities: budget, features, support level, or specialized expertise.
Jake Lawson has guided 150+ Colorado LLC formations through extensive testing of formation services since 2009. His recommendations are based on actual client results, service reliability, and real-world performance rather than affiliate relationships or theoretical analysis.