Colorado Charitable Registration — All You Need To Know

Registering as a charitable organization in Colorado is essential to ensure your nonprofit complies with state laws and operates transparently. This process enables you to legally solicit donations, build trust with donors, and maintain good standing with the Colorado secretary of state’s office.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about completing a Colorado charitable registration, including how to register, renew, amend, and understand applicable exemptions. We’ll also introduce Harbor Compliance, a trusted partner that assists nonprofit organizations by managing their charitable registration and making compliance stress-free.

Colorado Secretary of State Nonprofit Registration

The following individuals and organizations are required to register with the Colorado secretary of state before engaging in any charitable activities in the state:

• Charitable organizations that solicit contributions, have contributions solicited on their behalf, or participate in charitable sales promotions in Colorado
• Professional fundraising consultants who manage contributions during a solicitation on behalf of a charitable organization
• Paid solicitors who solicit contributions in Colorado

Colorado Charitable Registration Exemptions

If your organization fulfills any of the following conditions, it will be exempt from registering with the state:

• You have gross annual contributions under $25,000, excluding government or 501(c)(3) grants.
• You don’t receive contributions from more than ten people during the fiscal year.
• You run a church or a religious entity defined under federal tax law, including interchurch organizations, religious schools, and mission societies with foreign activities. However, if you file a Form 990, you are not exempt.
• You are a federal or state candidate or affiliated with a political party or political action committee. You are still required to file financial reports with election commissions.
• You make appeals for funds on behalf of a specific individual named in the solicitation, and all proceeds of the solicitation are given to or expended for the direct benefit of that specified individual.

How To Complete the Colorado Charity Registration Process

To register your charitable organization in Colorado for the first time, you must file through the designated portal and provide necessary documentation, including financial reports. New organizations without any financial data can submit estimated financial figures initially but must update them with actual numbers by the 15th day of the eighth month after the end of their fiscal year.

Below are the steps for Colorado charitable registration:

1. Create an account or have the organization’s primary authorized officer create one for you.
2. Log in, go to the dashboard, find Open Filings, and select the Registration link.
3. Review the registration page and click Continue. You can save progress and return later if needed.
4. Electronically sign the application (if you’re the authorized officer).
5. Submit the required attachments:
   1. IRS Form 990
   2. IRS Determination letter
   3. List of officers and directors
   4. Information for all paid solicitors/professional fundraisers/CCVs used or contracted by the organization
6. Pay the $10 registration fee to submit the application.

Colorado Charitable Registration Renewal

After registering with the state to solicit donations, you are required to file for an annual renewal to keep your registration active and current. The process involves updating your registration information and submitting a financial report for the new reporting period.

Keep in mind that the renewals are due by the 15th day of the fifth month after the end of your fiscal year, which aligns with the IRS Form 990 due date. Colorado automatically grants a three-month extension, provided the IRS has approved the extension. If more time is needed, charities can request an additional three months. While the IRS extension paperwork may be requested by the secretary of state, it is not required to be submitted at the time of renewal. If an extension is requested and not granted, the renewal will be considered late.

Follow these steps to renew your registration:

1. Log in to your account.
2. Click on Renew Registration on your dashboard or the Available for Filing page. If your renewal is due soon or overdue, it will appear on your dashboard.
3. Go through the renewal information and click Continue.
4. Follow the step-by-step instructions and submit the form.
5. Pay the $10 renewal fee.

State of Colorado Charitable Registration Amendment

In Colorado, you also have the option to file an amendment if you need to correct errors in a previously filed registration or renewal. Charities that submitted estimated financial information with their initial registration statement can also use an amendment to replace it with their actual financial figures.

If you’re filing an amendment within 30 days of the date that the registration was approved, you won’t be required to pay an amendment fee.

Here’s how to file an amendment:

1. Log in to your account.
2. Click on the Summary Page link under the My Organizations section on your dashboard.
3. Select the File a Form option from the Summary Page and click on Amend Registration.
4. Navigate through the steps to find and amend the necessary information.
5. Make the required corrections.
6. Submit the amended registration.

How To Reinstate Your Colorado Nonprofit Registration

If your charitable registration expires, you are no longer authorized to solicit contributions in Colorado. If you act within 17 days of expiration, you can renew it without penalties. After this period, reinstatement is required, which may involve additional filings and fines.

Follow these steps to reinstate your Colorado charitable registration:

1. Log in and go to the File a Doc link on the Summary Page.
2. Select Reinstate Registration to start the reinstatement process.
3. File financial forms for up to three missed fiscal years and pay fines for each year of inactivity (up to three years).

Once your financial report and renewal are approved, your registration will be reinstated.

Common Issues With Self-Managed Charitable Registration

Managing charitable registrations independently might seem cost-effective, but it may lead to complications, delays, and even rejections if not handled carefully. Here are some common challenges with self-managed registrations:

• Misunderstanding specific legal and regulatory requirements, such as who qualifies as an authorized officer to sign filings, can result in rejection.
• Preparing accurate financial reports, submitting documents, and managing deadlines can overwhelm your staff, diverting their focus from mission-critical activities.
• Submitting incorrect legal forms or incomplete financial reports, as well as missing critical details, such as a valid street address, can lead to delays.

On the other hand, professionals handling legal filings as part of their day-to-day jobs stay updated on regulatory changes. Delegating your registration work to a reliable service provider, such as Harbor Compliance, can help minimize errors in your application and reduce the risk of rejection.

Outsource Your Colorado Charitable Registration to Harbor Compliance for Peace of Mind

Charitable registration doesn’t have to be overwhelming when you have a reliable compliance partner like Harbor Compliance at your service. With years of experience handling tens of thousands of registrations annually, Harbor Compliance shines as the industry’s leading provider.

With our Charitable Registration Service, you can confidently solicit donations through letters, phone calls, emails, social media, and grant applications, knowing that experts are handling every compliance detail.

Since acquiring Labyrinth, Inc.—the nation’s largest provider of charitable registration services—Harbor Compliance now facilitates over 60% of charitable registrations for organizations operating across at least 38 states.

With a dedicated registration specialist assigned to your filings, we streamline the process by offering a Power of Attorney option to sign applications on your behalf.

In addition to managing charitable registrations, we provide customized services for professional fundraisers, fundraising consultants, and commercial co-ventures. Our support extends to essential related services, including:

• Registered Agent Service—We act as your registered agent, handle all your legal communications, and deliver them securely.
• Foreign Qualification Service—Expanding into a new state? We manage the foreign qualification process from start to finish, including obtaining certificates of good standing and confirming approvals.
• Tax Exemption Assistance—Our team helps secure state tax exemptions, saving your nonprofit valuable resources without the administrative burden.

Ordering Our Charitable Registration Service

Want to connect with our team to determine your state’s charitable registration requirements and receive guidance? Here’s how to do it:

1. Visit the Charitable Registration Service page.
2. Share your details, including contact information, legal company name, and business structure.
3. Complete the form and hit Submit.

Looking to deepen your understanding of charitable registration and compliance? Download our free white papers: Charitable Solicitation Compliance and Charitable Registration - Navigating the Complexities.

Additional Services by Harbor Compliance

Beyond charitable registration, we also offer a wide range of services to help organizations meet their legal obligations and maintain a good standing with the state. Check out our list of services in the table below:

Charitable Solicitation Registration in Colorado FAQs

Below, you can find answers to some of the most common questions about Colorado charitable registration. For more information, visit our Information Center.

Stress-Free Charity Registration Starts With Harbor Compliance

Handling charitable registration involves more than just filling out forms—it requires managing strict deadlines, allocating significant staff time, and incurring financial resources. Adding to the complexity are ongoing filings, varying fees, and constantly evolving regulations that demand continuous attention.

Harbor Compliance takes the complexity out of charitable registration and helps organizations save time and valuable resources. Order our Charitable Registration Service, and we’ll simplify the process, enabling you to confidently solicit donations in your state while focusing on your mission. With dedicated specialists, customizable solutions, and streamlined systems, we handle everything from initial registrations to renewals and state tax exemptions with ease.

Want to check your organization’s standing? Use our free Harbor Compliance ScoreTM to see whether it meets other key state requirements.
Reach out to us to inquire about additional services that can help improve your compliance or schedule a free demo of our software.

If you’re interested in learning more about charitable registration requirements and processes throughout the U.S., check out the table below:

• Jump To:
• Colorado Nonprofit & Fundraising Company Licenses
• Colorado Individual Nonprofit & Fundraising Licenses

Learn about fundraising in other jurisdictions: