Colorado Fundraising Licensing
Below, you'll find licensing requirements for a range of fundraising activities. At a glance, you can see requirements, fees, filing instructions, and links to forms for everything from charitable gaming and cause marketing to professional fundraisers and charitable gift annuities.
Make sure your fundraising activities meet the unique requirements of each jurisdiction where you’re soliciting. Feel free to explore, bookmark, and share!
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- Colorado Nonprofit & Fundraising Company Licenses
- Colorado Individual Nonprofit & Fundraising Licenses
Company Licenses
Colorado Nonprofit & Fundraising Company Licenses
Colorado Bingo, Raffle, and Pull-Tab Licenses
Initial Registration
| Agency: | Colorado Secretary of State |
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $100 |
| Fact Checked: | 1/10/18 |
Colorado Charitable Gift Annuity Registration
Not required
Charitable Gift Annuity licensure is not required on the State level in Colorado.
No filing is required, but charities need to meet certain conditions before issuing charitable gift annuities. Charities that meet the following conditions are also exempt from insurance business regulation: "(a) Meets the definition and standards contained in section 501 (m)(5) of the federal "Internal Revenue Code of 1986", as amended; (b) Contains on its face the following statement: "This annuity is not issued by an insurance company nor regulated by the Colorado division of insurance and is not protected by any state guaranty fund or protective association." (c) Is issued or guaranteed by an organization that at all times during the three years preceding the date of the issuance of such annuity: (I) Was qualified to receive contributions described in section 170 (c) of the federal "Internal Revenue Code of 1986", as amended; and (II) If required as a condition of such qualification by provisions of the federal "Internal Revenue Code of 1986", as amended, was in receipt of notification from the federal internal revenue service that such organization was so qualified.".
| Law: | C.R.S. § 10-1-102 and C.R.S § 10-3-903 |
Colorado Charitable Organization Registration
| Agency: | Colorado Secretary of State (Charities) |
| Law: | |
| Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
| Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
| Fact Checked: | 4/10/20 |
Automatic Exemption
| Exemption Eligible Organizations: |
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| Notes: | 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. |
| Fact Checked: | 8/15/19 |
Initial Registration
| Instructions: | |
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $10 |
| Turnaround: | 1 week |
| Notes: |
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| Before you Apply: | All Applicants:
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| How to Apply: | Domestic Applicants:
Foreign Applicants:
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| Required Attachments: |
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| Fact Checked: | 4/14/20 |
Registration Renewal
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $10 |
| Due: | Renewal is due 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. |
| Due Date Extension: | 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. |
| Penalties: | There is a $60 fee for failure to file a renewal. |
| Notes: |
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| Required Attachments: |
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| Fact Checked: | 2/4/20 |
Change of Fiscal Year
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $0 |
| Turnaround: | Immediately online |
| Notes: | Fiscal year can be changed online. |
| Fact Checked: | 12/7/18 |
Cancellation
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | $0 |
| Notes: | To close out your registration, file a withdrawal form with the Secretary of State. |
| Fact Checked: | 7/14/20 |
Colorado Commercial Co-Venturer Registration
Not required
Commercial Co-venturer licensure is not required on the State level in Colorado.
Colorado does not currently have a traditional registration requirement for commercial co-venturers, but there are disclosure requirements when more than 50% of a campaign's proceeds come from within the state.
Colorado Paid Solicitor Registration
| Agency: | Colorado Secretary of State |
| Bond Requirements: | $15,000 surety bond |
Initial Registration
| Form: | https://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/charities/charitableHome.html |
| Agency Fee: | $175 |
| Fact Checked: | 12/15/16 |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | https://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/charities/charitableHome.html |
| Agency Fee: | $175 |
| Due: | Annually by the registration anniversary date. |
| Fact Checked: | 12/15/16 |
Contract Filing
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $75 |
| Due: | File a solicitation notice at least 15 days prior to the start of the performance of the contract. |
| Fact Checked: | 8/1/19 |
Financial Reporting
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $0 |
| Due: | Within 90 days after a campaign has ended and on the anniversary of commencement for campaigns lasting more than a year. |
| Fact Checked: | 8/5/19 |
Colorado Professional Fundraising Consultant Registration
| Agency: | Colorado Secretary of State |
| Fact Checked: | 7/5/18 |
Initial Registration
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $175 |
| Fact Checked: | 7/5/18 |
Registration Renewal
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $175 |
| Due: | Annually by the registration anniversary date. |
| Fact Checked: | 7/5/18 |
Contract Filing
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $75 |
| Due: | File a solicitation notice at least 15 days prior to the start of the performance of the contract. |
| Fact Checked: | 8/1/19 |
Individual Licenses
Colorado Individual Nonprofit & Fundraising Licenses
Colorado Individual Professional Fundraiser Registration
Not required
Professional Solicitor licensure is not required on the State level in Colorado.
Solicitors who are not employed by a professional fundraising firm but operate independently may be required to register. Employees of professional fundraising firms are generally not required to register as an individual solicitor in Colorado.
