At a Glance

Colorado requires most nonprofits to register for charitable solicitation before fundraising begins. The registration costs $10 and must be renewed annually by the 15th day of the fifth month after your fiscal year ends. Organizations that don’t register before soliciting donations face fines and loss of fundraising authorization.

Starting your nonprofit journey is exciting, but navigating charity registration and obtaining your nonprofit license can feel overwhelming. The Colorado Secretary of State (303-894-2200, sos.state.co.us) requires most organizations that solicit donations to register before fundraising begins. Additionally, you must renew this registration annually to maintain good standing with state regulations. Whether you’re launching a new nonprofit or expanding into Colorado, understanding the process is essential for your organization’s legal operation. If you want professional help, consider Labyrinth’s charitable registration services.

This step-by-step guide will walk you through Colorado’s registration requirements, help you determine if your organization needs to register, and show you exactly how to complete the process correctly. You’ll learn about important exemptions, renewal deadlines, and common mistakes to avoid when managing your nonprofit’s ongoing obligations.

Who Needs to Register for Charitable Solicitation in Colorado

Under Colorado law, understanding precisely who needs to complete charitable solicitation registration is crucial for nonprofits operating in the state. The Colorado Secretary of State (303-894-2200, sos.state.co.us) enforces specific requirements that organizations must follow to legally solicit donations.

Organizations required to register

Colorado mandates registration for any charitable organization that solicits contributions within the state, has contributions solicited on its behalf in Colorado, or participates in a charitable sales promotion. This requirement applies to most nonprofits engaged in fundraising activities, and registration must be completed before conducting any solicitation activities.

The legal definition encompasses various types of charitable entities, including traditional organizations like the Red Cross and Habitat for Humanity, as well as educational organizations and advocacy groups. Furthermore, professional fundraising consultants and paid solicitors who solicit contributions in Colorado must also register with the Secretary of State.

Consequently, if your organization plans to raise funds in Colorado, you should prepare for registration as one of your first steps toward achieving good standing. Given the complexity of multi-state fundraising, many nonprofits benefit from working with experienced specialists who ensure accurate, timely filings across all required jurisdictions. If you need assistance, Labyrinth’s charitable registration services can help.

Types of fundraising activities that trigger registration

Several fundraising methods can trigger the requirement for charity registration in Colorado. Specifically, any form of solicitation—whether through direct mail, online campaigns, fundraising events, or third-party solicitations—falls under regulatory oversight.

While many activities require registration, some professionals are explicitly excluded from the “paid solicitor” definition, including:

• Persons whose sole responsibility is printing or mailing fundraising literature
• Lawyers, investment counselors, or bankers rendering professional services
• Bona fide volunteers
• Directors, officers, or employees directly employed by qualifying tax-exempt charitable organizations

Moreover, Colorado has adopted the Charleston Principles regarding online solicitations. This means organizations with interactive websites that allow Colorado residents to make donations must register if they either target Colorado residents or regularly receive contributions from Coloradans.

Out-of-state nonprofit considerations

If your organization is based outside Colorado yet solicits donations within the state, you face additional requirements. Out-of-state nonprofits must complete charitable solicitation paperwork and file as a foreign entity. Additionally, these organizations must obtain authorization to transact business in Colorado by filing a Statement of Foreign Entity Authority electronically. Out-of-state organizations should pay particular attention to the principal place of business requirement—you must provide a street address for your organization’s usual place of business, not just a P.O. box or private mailbox (see the Colorado charity registration instructions).

The requirements may seem complex, especially for organizations operating across multiple states. Professional help from Labyrinth’s charitable registration services can ensure your organization remains in good standing with Colorado’s unique requirements while you focus on your mission.

Step-by-Step: How to Register Your Charity in Colorado

Registering for charitable solicitation in Colorado is an online process through the Secretary of State’s system (see the Colorado charity registration instructions). The registration must be completed prior to any fundraising activities to ensure good standing with state regulations. Let’s walk through each step of the process.

Create an online account with the Secretary of State

First, you must establish an account with the Colorado Secretary of State (303-894-2200, sos.state.co.us) before you can register your organization. This account links all your organization’s filings together and controls who can access and modify your records (see the Colorado account setup instructions).

To create your account:

1. Visit the Colorado Secretary of State’s website and select “Create an Account”
2. Enter your organization’s Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN)
3. Provide an email address for official communications about your account
4. Select your organization type
5. Enter your name and daytime telephone number
6. Create a password
7. Certify that you’re a bona fide officer of the organization
8. Click “Create Account”

After submission, you’ll receive account credentials granting access to your dashboard where you’ll manage all filings, including your initial registration and subsequent renewals.

Provide required information

Once logged in to your account, you’ll be directed to your dashboard. Under “Open Filings,” click on the “Registration” link to begin the process (outlined in the Colorado charity registration instructions). The registration form consists of multiple steps, and you can save your progress at any point if you need to complete it later.

You’ll need to provide information including:

• Organizational details and principal place of business (street address)
• Officers, directors, and key personnel
• Financial information for the most recent fiscal year (new organizations may use reasonable estimates)
• Information about any paid solicitors, professional fundraising consultants, or commercial coventurers engaged by your organization (see the Colorado paid solicitor and consultant instructions)

For new organizations without established financial figures, you can file using estimated financial information. However, you must update these estimates with actual figures by filing an amendment by the 15th day of the eighth month after your fiscal year closes (per the registration instructions).

Pay the $10 registration fee

Upon completing all required fields, you’ll proceed to the payment section. Colorado’s charity registration fee is $10, which must be paid online through the Secretary of State’s system. The same $10 fee applies to initial registrations, amendments, and annual renewals (see the Colorado charitable filings fee schedule).

Given the complexity of the registration process and subsequent ongoing requirements, many organizations opt to use a professional service. Labyrinth’s charitable registration services can help ensure everything is filed correctly the first time to save time and reduce the risk of delays.

Receive confirmation and registration number

Following submission and payment, the Secretary of State will notify you within 10 days whether your filing is approved or whether deficiencies must be corrected. Organizations may begin soliciting only after the registration has been approved. Renewal due dates are typically the 15th day of the fifth month after your fiscal year ends. The online system applies an automatic three-month extension; however, by law charities must still file by the original due date unless the IRS has authorized a later 990 filing date. A second three-month extension may be requested on or before the 17th day after the expiration date if additional time is needed (see the Colorado charity renewal instructions).

Throughout the year, you can log in to your account to file amendments, extensions, or add other authorized officers who can manage your filings. This centralized system streamlines the ongoing management process for nonprofits operating in Colorado.

Understanding Exemptions and Special Cases

Although Colorado requires most charitable organizations to register before soliciting donations, certain nonprofits qualify for exemptions from the charitable solicitation registration process. Knowing if your organization falls under these exceptions can save you time and resources.

Gross contribution thresholds

Not all nonprofits need to navigate the registration requirements. Colorado law provides clear financial thresholds that exempt smaller organizations:

• Charitable organizations that do not intend to raise or receive gross revenue exceeding $25,000 during a fiscal year (excluding grants from government entities and 501(c)(3) organizations)
• Organizations that do not receive contributions from more than ten persons during a fiscal year

These financial exemptions apply automatically—you don’t need to file anything with the Secretary of State to claim them. If an exempt charity uses a paid solicitor, it must file an exemption claim in order to gain system access for signing solicitation notices and campaign financial reports (see the Colorado charity exemption FAQ).

Religious and political organization exemptions

Colorado offers specific exemptions for certain types of organizations:

• Religious organizations defined as churches for federal tax purposes – including churches, interchurch organizations, church associations or conventions, integrated auxiliaries of churches, religious orders, and mission societies (provided they are not required to file IRS Form 990)
• Political parties, candidates for federal or state office, and political action committees that file financial information with federal or state elections commissions
• Persons exclusively making appeals for funds on behalf of a specific individual named in the solicitation, provided all proceeds directly benefit that person

Generally, religious organizations exempt from filing federal information returns pursuant to 26 U.S.C. sec. 6033 qualify for exemption. This typically includes churches and below college-level educational organizations affiliated with churches.

Optional exemption filings for public record

Even if your organization qualifies for an automatic exemption, you might still want to create an official record of this status. Colorado allows exempt organizations to file an optional exemption claim (see the Colorado charity exemption FAQ).

This optional filing serves several purposes:

• Creates a public record of your exempt status in the Secretary of State’s database
• Helps establish credibility with potential donors who might search for your organization
• Enables exempt charities that use paid solicitors to gain system access for signing solicitation notices and campaign financial reports

Filing an exemption claim involves creating an account on the Colorado Secretary of State website, selecting the applicable exemption reason(s), and optionally uploading supporting documentation (see the Colorado exemption filing instructions). For organizations concerned about public perception, this optional filing—or even maintaining a voluntary registration—demonstrates your commitment to transparency and can strengthen donor confidence in your nonprofit operations. If you want help, Labyrinth’s charitable registration services can manage the process for you.

Maintaining Good Standing: Renewals, Amendments, and Reinstatements

After successfully registering your nonprofit for charitable solicitation in Colorado, maintaining good standing becomes your ongoing responsibility. Staying current with renewals, amendments, and reinstatement procedures helps your organization avoid penalties and continue fundraising legally.

Annual renewal deadlines and extensions

Colorado requires charitable organizations to renew their registration annually by the 15th day of the fifth month after the close of their fiscal year (see the Colorado charity renewal instructions). For instance, if your fiscal year ends December 31st, your renewal would be due May 15th. The online system applies an automatic three-month extension; however, by law charities must still renew and file by the original due date unless the IRS has authorized a later date for filing the organization’s Form 990. If additional time is needed beyond the automatic extension, you may request a second extension for three more months by filing on or before the 17th day after the expiration date. The renewal fee is $10.00, identical to the initial registration cost (see the fee schedule).

Professional support can help track these critical deadlines, particularly for organizations managing multiple state registrations simultaneously. Labyrinth’s charitable registration services provide dedicated renewal management so nonprofits can focus on their mission while ensuring good standing.

How to file amendments for updated financials

Amendments allow you to correct errors or update information on previously filed registrations or renewals (see the Colorado charity amendment instructions). They’re particularly useful for organizations that submitted estimated financial information during initial registration who must update with actual figures (see the registration instructions).

To file an amendment:

1. Log into your Colorado Secretary of State account
2. Click on “Summary Page” under “My Organizations”
3. Select “File a form” then “Amend Registration”
4. Navigate to the sections requiring updates

Amendments filed within 30 days of registration approval incur no fees. Beyond that window, standard amendment fees apply according to the current fee schedule (see the amendment instructions and the fee schedule).

For organizations with complex financial reporting, outsourcing management can prevent costly errors and ensure amendments are filed accurately and on time. Labyrinth’s charitable registration services can help.

Reinstatement process after expiration

If your registration expires, you immediately lose authorization to solicit contributions in Colorado. The Secretary of State sends two notifications via email and first-class mail alerting organizations of expiration. If you act before the 17th day after the expiration date, you can renew without penalties. After that, you will need to reinstate your registration. The reinstatement steps depend on whether you were required to be registered during the lapsed period; organizations that should have been registered will need to submit financial forms for the most recent fiscal year plus each missed year (up to three) and pay fines for each unregistered year (see the Colorado charity reinstatement instructions).

Understanding these requirements helps avoid the reinstatement process altogether. Many nonprofits partner with experts to maintain perfect records and focus on their mission instead of administrative deadlines. Labyrinth’s charitable registration services offer proactive renewal management to ensure continuous authorization to fundraise.

Avoiding Mistakes and When to Get Help

Managing your filings independently can lead to unexpected complications. Understanding common pitfalls can help your nonprofit maintain good standing with Colorado authorities.

Common errors in self-managed filings

Filings can be rejected if they contain deficiencies. If a renewal or amendment-estimates filing is rejected, filers are granted a five-day grace period to re-submit the document with the requested corrections and without an additional filing fee. However, these corrections take valuable time and can delay your ability to fundraise legally.

The most frequent rejection reasons include:

• Principal place of business listed as a P.O. box instead of a street address
• Financial reports showing $0.00 in all revenue categories or missing balance sheet information
• Incorrect legal form designation (“501c3” is tax status, not legal form)
• Invalid authorized officer signature from someone not listed in the organization’s bylaws

Benefits of using a charitable registration service

Professional services offer distinct advantages for busy nonprofits. Experienced specialists stay current with changing requirements across all states, significantly reducing the risk of errors and rejections. These services handle deadline tracking across multiple jurisdictions, ensuring your organization remains in good standing while you focus on your mission. With centralized management through secure client portals, nonprofits gain transparency and peace of mind knowing their registrations are handled by experts. Consider Labyrinth’s charitable registration services for support.

When to outsource to experts like Labyrinth, Inc.

Consider outsourcing your needs if managing multiple state registrations, facing complex requirements, or lacking internal expertise. Organizations operating in multiple states particularly benefit from partnered management, as tracking varying deadlines and requirements becomes increasingly complex. Working with commercial registered agents like Labyrinth, Inc. provides one-on-one guidance from dedicated experts who combine deep regulatory knowledge with personalized service. We offer nationwide coverage and proactive renewal management to ensure your organization maintains good standing across all jurisdictions, allowing your team to concentrate on serving beneficiaries rather than paperwork.

Conclusion

Navigating Colorado’s charitable solicitation requirements might seem daunting at first glance. Nevertheless, following the step-by-step process outlined above ensures your nonprofit maintains legal standing while fundraising within the state. The $10 registration fee and straightforward online submission process actually make Colorado one of the more accessible states for registration compared to many others.

Remember, most organizations must register before soliciting any contributions in Colorado, though specific exemptions exist for smaller nonprofits, religious organizations, and political entities. Your registration renewal comes due by the 15th day of the fifth month after your fiscal year ends. The system applies an automatic three-month extension, but by law you must still meet the original due date unless the IRS has authorized a later filing date for your Form 990.

Failure to maintain proper standing can result in fines and can halt your fundraising activities until resolved. For example, Colorado can assess a $60 fine for failure to file renewal and a $300 fine for soliciting while unregistered. Establishing reliable systems for tracking deadlines becomes essential, particularly if your organization operates across multiple states with varying requirements.

Whether you handle registrations in-house or partner with experts, staying on top of deadlines and requirements allows your nonprofit to focus on what truly matters—your mission and the communities you serve. Many organizations find that working with experienced specialists provides the reliability and peace of mind needed to maintain perfect records while dedicating staff time to program delivery. Above all, treat charitable registration as a foundational element of your nonprofit’s operations rather than a bureaucratic obstacle. Doing so demonstrates your commitment to transparency, builds donor trust, and ensures your organization can continue its important work uninterrupted.

Frequently Asked Questions