Colorado Nonprofit Compliance

• Charities that do not intent to solicit and receive and do not actually receive more than $25,000 in contributions during a fical year
• Charities that do not receive contributions from more than 10 persons during a fiscal year
• Religious organizations that are exempt from filing the IRS 990
• Below college level educational organizations that are affiliated with a church or operated by a religious order
• Political organizations
• Appeals for individuals

Exempt charities can file an optional exemption claim to have a public record of their exempt status created in the secretary of state's database.

Instructions for Registering as a Charitable Organization

Online

$10

1 week

• Any charitable organization that (1) solicits contributions in Colorado, (2) has contributions solicited in Colorado on its behalf, or (3) participates in a charitable sales promotion must register in Colorado.
• Any authorized officer must sign electronically.
• After approval you will receive a registration number and a printable "certificate of registration".  You can view and print a Certificate of Registration from the summary screen of any registered group.
• Some Colorado counties and municipalities may require charities that solicit in-person to register prior to fundraising.

All Applicants:

• Check the available exemptions to see if your charity is eligible for exemption from the full registration requirement.
• Appoint a registered agent to receive legal documents in Colorado.
• Look through the list of required attachments and make sure that you have each required document in hand before starting the registration application.

Domestic Applicants:

1. File entity formation documents with the Colorado Secretary of State.
2. Create an efile account and submit an online application with all required attachments to the charities section of the Colorado Secretary of State.

Foreign Applicants:

1. Determine whether or not your charity will need to foreign qualify based on your activity in Colorado. If not required, skip to number 3.
2. File foreign qualification documents with the Colorado Secretary of State.
3. Create an efile account and submit an online application with all required attachments to the charities section of the Colorado Secretary of State.

• IRS form 990
• IRS determination letter
• List of officers and directors
• Information for all paid solicitors, professional fundraisers, and commercial coventurers used by or contracted to the organization

Online

$10

• Annually by the 15th day of the 5th month after the close of your organization's fiscal year, however, Colorado automatically grants a 3 month extension of this deadline.
• There is no official start to the renewal period, so renewals may be submitted as soon as financials become available for the most recently completed fiscal year.

Due dates are automatically extended for 3 months after the original due date, but charities needing more time can request an additional 3 months extension by making a request online. For more information and detailed instructions, see this page.

There is a $60 fee for failure to file a renewal.

• Also file your annual financial report
• Any authorized officer must sign electronically.
• After approval you will receive a registration number and a printable "certificate of registration"

• List of officers and directors
• IRS determination letter

Online

$0

Immediately online

Fiscal year can be changed online.

Charities Registration Withdrawal

$0

To close out your registration, file a withdrawal form with the Secretary of State.