Colorado (CO) → Requirement Summary
Colorado charitable solicitation registration requirements
Colorado nonprofits generally register online with the Secretary of State before soliciting contributions. This guide explains the $10 filing, annual financial-report deadline, limited exemptions, documents, extension rules, and reinstatement path.
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Colorado filing path: fastest next steps
Check public status first, then route the issue to registration, annual renewal, or delinquency recovery before starting or resuming Colorado fundraising.
Colorado charity registration requirements summary
Operational details for filing authority, timing, exemptions, documents, fees, and recovery.
| Requirement | Colorado (CO) |
|---|---|
| Filing Authority | Colorado Secretary of State, Charities Program. |
| Filing Method | Online only through the Colorado Charities filing system. Initial registrations, renewals, amendments, and extensions are electronic. |
| Filing Calendar & Triggers | Register and receive approval before soliciting in Colorado. Renew annually by the 15th day of the fifth month after fiscal year-end, or by the 15th day of the eighth month when an IRS extension applies. |
| Filing Due Date | May 15 for a calendar-year organization without an IRS extension; August 15 when the organization has a qualifying IRS extension. File any Colorado extension request by the applicable deadline. |
| Renewal Detail | Annual online renewal includes updated organization information and a financial report or applicable Form 990. The current state fee schedule lists a $10 renewal fee and a $60 failure-to-renew fine. |
| Extensions Calendar | An IRS extension supports the later eighth-month deadline, but the Colorado filing still must be managed in the state system. Do not treat the dashboard date as permission to ignore the statutory filing requirements. |
| Exemptions | Limited statutory exemptions include charities that do not intend to and do not actually exceed $25,000 in annual gross revenue, charities receiving contributions from no more than ten people in a fiscal year, and qualifying churches. Confirm every condition before relying on an exemption. |
| Good Standing Required for Charity Filing? | Foreign incorporated charities should first file a Statement of Foreign Entity Authority before creating the charity registration. |
| Solicitation while Curing Deficiencies? | No. If a Colorado charity fails to renew by the extended deadline, its registration expires and solicitation must stop until reinstated. (Timely-filed renewals/extension keep registration active, so fundraising can continue while pending.) |
| Enforcement Posture | Moderate. Colorado uses administrative penalties (late fees, automated expiration) but generally focuses on getting charities into compliance rather than heavy fines. Will disable solicitation via expiration but rarely pursues court action unless fraud. |
| Recovery Method | An expired charity generally files its most recent financial report, completes the online renewal, and pays the normal filing fee plus any assessed fine to reinstate. Confirm the dashboard’s required filing before resuming solicitation. |
| Required Documents | Initial: Online registration collects corporate and IRS info; attach IRS determination letter. Renewal: Online form requires entering key financial figures; attach IRS Form 990 (PDF) or fill in a substitute financial form. No audit attachment required by CO law. Payment of $10 fee by card. |
| Financial Audit/Review Thresholds | None. Colorado does not require audited or reviewed financials for registration (just the Form 990 or financial report). |
| Schedule B Reaction Rule (Donor Names) | Remove. Colorado instructs filers to attach the public-inspection copy of Form 990 (which excludes donor names). Donor lists are neither required nor accepted for charity registration. |
| Signature Requirements | Electronic certification by an authorized officer. Colorado lists an invalid signer as a common reason for rejection; the signer should be an officer identified under the organization’s governing documents. |
| High-Risk Traps / Enforcement Notes | Common rejection points include a missing physical street address, incomplete financial data, an incorrect legal-form description, or an unauthorized signer. Soliciting while unregistered carries a listed $300 fine, so verify approval rather than relying only on submission. |
Official Colorado filing sources
- Colorado charity registration instructions — filing trigger, online process, required information, and common rejection reasons.
- Colorado filing and renewal FAQ — annual deadline, financial report, extensions, and reinstatement.
- Colorado charities fee schedule — current registration, renewal, and fine amounts.
State requirements and fees can change. Confirm the live filing instructions before submitting.
Colorado charitable solicitation registration FAQ
When must a charity register in Colorado?
A nonexempt charity generally must register and receive approval before soliciting contributions, having contributions solicited on its behalf, or participating in a charitable sales promotion in Colorado.
How much is Colorado charity registration?
The Colorado Secretary of State’s current fee schedule lists $10 for an initial charity registration and $10 for an annual renewal.
When is the Colorado annual renewal due?
For an organization without an IRS extension, the renewal and financial report are generally due by the 15th day of the fifth month after fiscal year-end. A qualifying IRS extension moves the state deadline to the 15th day of the eighth month.
How does an expired Colorado charity registration recover?
The organization generally files its most recent financial report, completes the renewal, and pays the required fee and any assessed fine. Confirm reinstated status before resuming solicitation.
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