Last Updated: February 2026
Colorado maintains an active and technology-driven charitable registration framework. All charitable organizations that solicit contributions in Colorado must register before fundraising begins, including out-of-state nonprofits meeting online solicitation thresholds.
Colorado has formally adopted an interpretation of the Charleston Principles, making it particularly relevant for organizations engaged in digital fundraising.
For broader national strategy, see:
When Registration Is Required in Colorado
A charitable organization must register in Colorado if it:
- Solicits contributions in Colorado by any means
- Has contributions solicited in Colorado on its behalf
- Participates in a charitable sales promotion in Colorado
Registration must be completed before engaging in solicitation activity.
Colorado requires online filing through the Secretary of State’s system.
Online Fundraising and the Charleston Principles
Colorado applies a structured analysis to determine whether an out-of-state nonprofit must register based solely on website activity.
An out-of-state nonprofit must register if it maintains an interactive website (where donations can be completed online) and:
- Targets Colorado residents, or
- Receives contributions from Colorado residents on a repeated and ongoing basis, or
- Receives contributions from Colorado residents on a substantial basis
Colorado defines:
- “Repeated and ongoing” as 50 or more online contributions during a fiscal year
- “Substantial” as $25,000 or 1% of total contributions (whichever is less)
Noninteractive websites may still trigger registration if the organization invites further offline contact or targeted engagement with Colorado residents.
For broader online strategy considerations:
Initial Registration Overview
Colorado registration is effective for one year and must be filed online.
Initial filing includes:
- Registration Statement
- Annual Financial Report
- Solicitation Notice (if using paid solicitors)
- Filing fee
Registration Fee: $10
Colorado does not require submission of governing documents or IRS determination letters as part of the charitable registration filing itself.
However, foreign nonprofits must separately qualify to transact business in Colorado if conducting intrastate business.
For timing considerations:
Exemptions
Colorado provides a limited small organization exemption.
Small Organization Threshold
A nonprofit is exempt if it:
- Does not intend to receive, and does not actually receive, more than $25,000 in gross revenue during a fiscal year (excluding certain grants and membership dues), or
- Receives contributions from no more than ten persons nationwide during a fiscal year
These calculations are based on nationwide income, not Colorado-only contributions.
Important:
The exemption does not apply if the organization has contracted with a paid solicitor.
For broader exemption analysis:
Other Exempt Organizations
Colorado exempts:
- Certain religious organizations
- Political candidates and committees filing with election authorities
- Appeals on behalf of a specific individual
Most mid-sized and large national nonprofits will not qualify for exemption.
Annual Renewal and Financial Reporting
Colorado requires annual renewal.
Due Date:
4½ months after the close of the fiscal year.
An automatic three-month extension is available if the organization files an IRS extension. A second three-month extension may be requested online.
Renewal Requirements
Renewal includes:
- Registration Statement Renewal
- Annual Financial Report
- Solicitation Notice (if applicable)
- Solicitation Campaign Financial Report (if applicable)
Renewal Fee: $10
Late Fees
Colorado may impose late fees (generally $60), although waivers may be available in limited circumstances.
For coordinated renewal planning:
Professional Fundraisers and Commercial Sales Promotions
Colorado requires separate filings when organizations retain:
- Professional solicitors
- Fundraising counsel
- Commercial co-venturers
Solicitation Notices and campaign financial reports must be filed through the online system.
See:
Corporate Qualification Requirements
Out-of-state nonprofits registering for charitable solicitation may also be required to:
- File a Statement of Foreign Entity Authority
- Appoint a registered agent in Colorado
Corporate qualification is separate from charitable registration and should be coordinated carefully to avoid inconsistent filings.
For structural planning:
Governance and Risk Considerations
Colorado’s fully online public database makes compliance status easily searchable.
For national nonprofits, lapses may:
- Affect grant due diligence
- Trigger vendor or platform compliance flags
- Create board-level risk oversight concerns
- Raise questions during IRS Form 990 review
See:
- What Happens If a Nonprofit Fails to Register?
- Charitable Solicitation Registration Mistakes That Put Nonprofits at Risk
Colorado in a National Compliance Strategy
Colorado is operationally efficient but analytically important due to its formal application of online solicitation thresholds. For digitally active nonprofits, Colorado frequently becomes a registration-trigger state.
Proactive monitoring of online contribution volume and targeted outreach prevents reactive registration.
For structured planning:
If your organization is fundraising in Colorado as part of a multi-state strategy, centralized oversight reduces exposure and simplifies reporting coordination.