The cost to form an LLC for a Lakewood business starts with the $50 Colorado filing fee. Add annual fees, a registered agent, and local Lakewood business taxes below.
Last updated: May 2026 · Data: MIT Living Wage Calculator, C2ER, U.S. Census, BLS, IRS, state and city sources
Colorado charges a $50 filing fee to form an LLC and a $10 periodic report each year. Colorado uses a flat income tax rate of 4.4%. The state's TABOR amendment requires voter approval for any tax increases.
| Cost Item | Amount | When Due |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Filing Fee | $50 | One-time at formation |
| Periodic report | $10 | Annually |
| Registered Agent Service | $49 to $300/year | Annually |
| Local Lakewood Business License / Tax | Varies by industry | Annually |
| Operating Agreement | $0 to $500 | One-time (recommended) |
| EIN (Federal Tax ID) | Free | One-time (IRS.gov) |
Colorado cities do not levy a local business income tax. As a home-rule city, Lakewood requires its own sales and use tax license for businesses that sell goods; plan for that and the Colorado periodic report fee on top of the state LLC filing fee.
Lakewood is the largest city in Jefferson County, just west of Denver, home to the Denver Federal Center (one of the largest concentrations of federal agencies outside Washington, D.C.), healthcare, retail, and easy access to the foothills of the Rockies.
| Local Metric | Lakewood (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Metro population | 155,000 |
| County / jurisdiction | Jefferson County |
| Cost of living index (US avg = 100) | 106 |
| MIT living wage, single adult | $21.50/hour |
| MIT living wage, one earner supporting a family of four | $43.50/hour |
| Applicable minimum wage | $14.81/hour |
| Average rent, 1-bedroom | $1,600/month |
| Average rent, 2-bedroom | $1,950/month |
| Median home price | $560,000 |
| Median household income | $82,000/year |
| Combined sales tax rate | 7.5% |
| Effective property tax rate | 0.51% of value/year |
Local figures are 2026 estimates compiled from the MIT Living Wage Calculator, the C2ER Cost of Living Index, U.S. Census and Zillow housing data, and city and county sources. Verify current figures before relying on them.
The LLC filing fee is set by Colorado at $50, since LLCs are formed at the state level. Add the $10 periodic report (each year), a registered agent (about $49 to $300/year), and any local Lakewood business license or tax. Colorado cities do not levy a local business income tax. As a home-rule city, Lakewood requires its own sales and use tax license for businesses that sell goods; plan for that and the Colorado periodic report fee on top of the state LLC filing fee.
Colorado cities do not levy a local business income tax. As a home-rule city, Lakewood requires its own sales and use tax license for businesses that sell goods; plan for that and the Colorado periodic report fee on top of the state LLC filing fee.
Plan for the $10 periodic report, registered agent renewal (about $49/year), and any local Lakewood business license or tax. The calculator above totals these for you.
LLCs are registered with the Colorado Department of Revenue at the state level, not the city. You then comply with local Lakewood requirements such as a business license, zoning, and any city business tax. There is no separate city-level LLC filing.
If your business actually operates in Lakewood, forming in Colorado is usually simplest. Forming in Delaware or Wyoming while operating in Lakewood typically forces you to register as a foreign LLC in Colorado anyway, paying fees in both states.