If you're forming or maintaining a business in Colorado, you need to know about the important changes to registered agent requirements that the state recently implemented. 

Effective July 1, 2025, the Colorado Secretary of State’s office implemented new rules to help combat business fraud and ensure better accountability for registered agents. Here's what you need to know to ensure your Colorado LLC or corporation stays compliant.

What’s Changing?

Thanks to House Bill 24-1137, passed in 2024, registered agents will now need to meet stricter residency and verification standards. These changes aim to reduce fraudulent business filings by verifying that registered agents actually reside—or do business—in Colorado.

1. Residency Verification for Individual Registered Agents

If you designate an individual as your registered agent, that person must now verify their Colorado residency. This can be done in one of two ways:

• Provide a valid Colorado driver’s license or state-issued ID, OR
  
  
• Complete an alternative address verification process, which includes requesting and using a mailed passcode (more on this below).
  
  

2. Entity Requirements

If you’re using a business entity (like an LLC or corporation) as your registered agent, it must:

• Be registered with the Colorado Secretary of State,
  
  
• Be in good standing, and
  
  
• Maintain a usual place of business in Colorado.
  
  

Registered Agent Basics — A Quick Refresher

Regardless of whether your registered agent is an individual or an entity, there are a few key rules that still apply:

• Only one registered agent is allowed (either an individual or an entity).
  
  
• The registered agent must consent to be listed.
  
  
• The Colorado Secretary of State cannot serve as your registered agent.
  
  

Requirements for Individual Registered Agents

To qualify, an individual must:

• Be at least 18 years old
  
  
• Hold a valid Colorado driver’s license or ID
  
  
• Have a primary residence or usual place of business in Colorado
  
  

When submitting your filing, you’ll need to enter the registered agent’s name and ID number exactly as they appear on their license or ID.

No Driver’s License or Colorado ID?

If your agent doesn’t have a Colorado-issued ID, you can still proceed by using the Alternate Identification Verification Process:

1. Request an agent passcode by entering the registered agent’s name and Colorado street address
   
   
2. The passcode will be mailed to the agent
   
   
3. Once received, return to the filing website and enter the passcode to continue
   
   
4. Note: Passcodes expire after 45 days, so don't delay!
   
   

What Counts as a “Usual Place of Business”?

A “usual place of business” means the agent has a physical street address in Colorado, where they are routinely available during normal business hours to receive legal or official documents.

Important: P.O. Boxes and commercial mailboxes do not meet this requirement. The registered agent’s address must be a real, physical location in Colorado.

Why the Change?

The update stems from recommendations by the Fraudulent Business Filings Working Group, formed to address increasing concerns about business identity theft and false filings. By requiring registered agents to verify their Colorado connection, the state hopes to strengthen transparency and protect legitimate business owners.

Privacy Concerns?

While the Colorado Secretary of State has explained that any Colorado ID information entered during the filing process will not be stored long-term and is only intended to be used solely for validating the filing, small business owners in Colorado can avoid the hassle and inconvenience of uploading their ID information by appointing an authorized third party, like Main Street Business Services, as their Registered Agent. 

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