Processing fees for filing business organization documents and expedited service fees have changed effective April 1, 2005. The limited time, introductory 99¢ online processing fees have been discontinued and fees have generally increased. For specific fee amounts, please visit the Secretary of State's Web site, www.sos.state.co.us, select “Business Center” and, under “General Information”, select “Fee schedule”. As of April 1, 2005, all forms have been updated to reflect the new fees.
This necessary increase in fees is the result of several recent developments:
- The Colorado Department of State is required by law to adjust its fees so that the revenues generated approximate its direct and indirect costs plus a reasonable reserve.
- In June, 2004, the Department’s reserve was considerably in excess of the amount allowed by law; in order to reduce the reserve, beginning in July, we lowered the processing fees for business organization documents filed online to 99¢, on a special ‘limited time, introductory’ basis; and between then an now, we have ‘returned’ to online filers approximately $5.7 million and reduced our reserve by a like amount.
- Also, in June, 2004, the Department suffered a ‘zinc whiskers’ computer disaster that contaminated its computer data center and the equipment in it, crippling its computer systems and delivery of critical services to its constituents.
- Recovery from this catastrophe - initially believed to require merely cleaning the contaminated data center and equipment, at an estimated cost of $100,000 – has now been determined to require that the Department purchase all new computer equipment, relocate to new office space, and construct new offices and a completely new, clean data center in which to install and program its new computers, at an estimated cost of $4 million.
- And, on March 16, 2005, primarily in response to the Department’s ‘zinc whisker’ disaster, the Joint Budget Committee of the Colorado General Assembly approved our request to build and staff a first class, state-wide disaster recovery site, at an estimated cost of $3.5 million for the first year alone.
- Meanwhile, during the time required to assess the extent of the disaster, determine the appropriate responses, arrive at the related costs, obtain the necessary budgetary approvals and appropriations and calculate new fees and projected revenues, the “99¢ Special” has continued to reduce the Department’s revenues and cash fund, eliminating its reserve.
The Department must now proceed to generate the revenues to pay for these extraordinary expenses and replenish its depleted reserve. With the increase in fees, however, will come increased benefits to the Department’s constituents. The new office location, data center and computer equipment will enable more efficient, reliable delivery of services for years to come.
The disaster recovery site will provide a redundant computer system enabling us to continue business without serious interruption during events ranging from minor power outages, to temporary lack of access to our primary office and data center, to major catastrophes such as the ‘zinc whiskers’ event, or worse.
And, although the Secretary of State has been given the task of developing and funding the disaster recovery site, the site will be available to all state agencies for business continuity and disaster recovery purposes, improving the efficiency, reliability and security of state-wide government services on which many of our constituents depend.
In addition to funding the above improvements, document processing fees are used to support ongoing operations of the Department, including the following online services of the Business Division:Real-time filing of business documents (Colorado is one of the few states in the nation to offer online filing of a multitude of business documents)
- Free searching, viewing and printing of business organization records and document images
- Free certificates of good standing
- More timely processing of paper-filed documents and other service requests
- Continued enhancement and expansion of online services, including additional online filing and certification opportunities
For more information about the upcoming office relocation, please visit us online at http://www.sos.state.co.us/, then click on "Business Center".
Thank you for your understanding and continued support!
The Business Division
Published April 1, 2005 at 11:30 AM