Stronger broad policy environment: Colorado ranks 9th in the Broad Policy Environment, benefiting from light occupational licensing regulations and relatively high economic freedom.
Moderately favorable nonprofit freedom conditions: With a Nonprofit Freedom rank of 20th, the state maintains a midrange regulatory environment, with manageable filing structures despite required registration, annual fees, and regulation of paid solicitors. It has no audit requirements.
Tax incentives: Donors can deduct their charitable donations, while charities are also exempt from state sales tax.
Limited donor and asset protections: Colorado provides no donor standing and maintains only very weak UPMIFA protections, leaving restricted gifts and endowments with minimal safeguards.
Weak performance in mandates and protections overall: Colorado ranks 29th in Donor Confidence, reflecting comparatively fewer legal and tax benefits for charitable organizations.
Detailed Scorecard
1. Broad Policy Environment
1A. Occupational Freedom (rescaled 0 to 10)
7.33
1B. Tax Competitiveness (rescaled 0 to 10)
3.47
1C. EFNA (0 to 10)
7.14
2. Nonprofit Freedom
2A. Charitable Startup Regulations
Requires charitable registration?
Yes
Top Registration Fee
$10.00
Minimum Registration Fee
$10.00
Top Incorporation Fee
$50.00
Minimum Incorporation Fee
$50.00
2B. Charitable Reporting Regulations
Requires Annual Report?
Yes
Top Annual Fee
$10.00
Minimum Annual Fee
$10.00
Requires Additional Corporate Filings
Yes
Other Fees
$25.00
Tiered Fee Structure
No
Overlapping Regulators
Yes
2C. Paid Solicitor Requirements
Commercial Fundraisers Must Register with the State
Yes
Paid Solicitor Registration Fee
$175.00
Paid Solicitor Renewal Fee
$175.00
Surety Bond for Professional Fundraisers
$15,000.00
Must Paid Solicitors Required to Report to the State in Order to Start Fundraising?
Yes
Fundraising Consultant Registration Required
Yes
Annual Financial Reporting by Commercial Fundraisers Required
Yes
Must File Contracts Between Charities and Commercial Fundraisers
Contracts required but not filed with state
Individual solicitors employed by professional fundraisers must register separately?