Colorado Nonprofit Articles of Incorporation

Nonprofit articles of incorporation is the document filed to create a Colorado nonprofit corporation.

Preparing and filing your articles of incorporation is the first step in starting your nonprofit corporation. Approval of this document secures your corporate name and creates the legal entity of the nonprofit. Only after this approval can you apply for 501c, apply for fundraising licenses, open a bank account, and otherwise conduct business.

Benefits

Incorporating provides many important benefits:

• Limits the liability of directors, officers, and shareholders
• Fulfills statutory requirements to register your organization's name
• Is a prerequisite for applying for 501(c) tax exemption
• Provides governance and adds credibility to the business or organization

Fast Facts

Agency:	Colorado Secretary of State
Instructions:	Instructions: Articles of Incorporation for a Nonprofit Corporation
Filing Method:	Online
Agency Fee:	$50
Turnaround:	Immediately
Law:	Colorado Revised Statutes - Title 7: Corporations and Associations - Articles 121-137: Colorado Revised Nonprofit Corporation Act
Notes:	Immediately after incorporating you can setup Secure Business Filing on your record so that no one else can make changes to it. Click “setup secure business filing” on the transaction confirmation page. Even though the articles of incorporation are filed electronically, you should download a copy for secure storage in your company records and for use during the course of business (e.g. for setting up a business bank account).

Other Helpful Colorado Facts

As you are preparing to incorporate, keep in mind the following requirements specific to Colorado, keep in mind:

Colorado Directors

• Number: minimum 1
• Qualifications: An individual. No residency requirement. No membership requirement.
• Term: 1 year
• Quorum: majority
• Committee: minimum 1 director

Colorado Officers

• A president, a secretary, a treasurer, and such other officers as may be designated by the board of directors
• Qualifications: an individual 18 years or older
• Two or more offices may be held by the same individual.

Colorado Members

• Members: optional
• Annual meeting: required
• Quorum: 1/4th votes