Colorado Nonprofit Compliance

• Persons that are exempt from filing a federal annual information return pursuant to 26 U.S.C. sec. 6033 (a)(3)(A)(i) , (a)(3)(A)(iii) , or (a)(3)(C)(i) or pursuant to 26 CFR 1.6033-2(g)(1)(i) to (g)(1)(iv) or (g)(1)(vii) - (Generally churches, religious organizations, and below college-level educational organizations affiliated with a church.)
• Political parties, candidates for federal or state office, and political action committees required to file financial information with federal or state elections commissions
• Charities that do not intend to solicit and receive and do not actually receive more than $25,000 in contributions during a fiscal year (excluding grants from governmental entities or from organizations exempt from federal taxation under section 501(c)(3))
• Charities that do not receive contributions from more than 10 persons during a fiscal year
• Persons exclusively making appeals for funds on behalf of a specific individual named in the solicitation, but only if all of the proceeds of the solicitation are given to or expended for the direct benefit of the specified individual

C.R.S. § 6-16-104(6)

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 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.
• Per 6-16-104(6), C.R.S., any organization that is soliciting contributions online must register like any other organization, unless it is exempt from the registration requirements

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. The automatic due date extension is only valid if the IRS has granted the extension. The extension paperwork is not required to be submitted with the renewal, but the Secretary of State may request a copy after a late renewal. For more information and detailed instructions, see this page.

Charities can renew their registration with no penalty if renewal is filed within 17 days of the expiration date. On the 18th day, they will need to go through the reinstatement process.

• 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

$10/year renewal fee + $60/year failure to renew fee

Charities suspected of violating the Colorado Charitable Solicitations Act are subject to an investigation from the Secretary of State. If found to violate this Act, the Secretary of State may deny, suspend, or revoke an organization's registration. Upon application from the Secretary of State, the district court may grant injunctive relief. 

Organizations that solicit without a valid registration will pay a penalty fee of up to $300 per year with a maximum of 3 years in fines and back payments. 

Knowingly violating §6-16-104 - §6-16-107 & §6-16-109 - §6-16-110 of this chapter is an act of charitable fraud, which is a Class 2 Misdemeanor or Class 5 Felony depending on the severity and number of violations. 

Charities can renew their registration with no penalty if renewal is filed within 17 days of the expiration date. On the 18th day, they will need to go through the reinstatement process. 

Online

$0

Immediately online

Fiscal years can be changed online, but can only be changed once every 10 years.

Withdrawal Form

A charitable organization must submit the final financial report for the most recent fiscal year. Once this report has been filed, the organization should submit the withdrawal form and any required attachments. 

File the Final Financial Report online. 

Mail, fax, or email the Charitable Registration Withdrawal form to charitable@coloradosos.gov

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