A trademark gives you the legal right to protect your brand—your business name, logo, slogan, or any other unique identifier. Whether you’re starting a new venture or expanding an existing one, trademark registration Colorado helps ensure your brand belongs to you—and no one else.
What a Trademark Protects
Trademarks are used to distinguish your products or services from others in the marketplace. They can apply to business names, logos, taglines, and other brand elements that customers associate with your company. Without trademark registration, those identifiers are vulnerable to misuse by competitors or copycats.
Registering your trademark gives you legal leverage. It makes it easier to stop others from using confusingly similar marks and provides documented proof that you own your brand.
Why Registration Matters
While some trademark rights arise simply by using a name in commerce, these “common law” rights are limited and harder to enforce. Registration—either with the State of Colorado or the United States Patent and Trademark Office—offers a clearer, stronger path to protecting your brand.
Formal registration gives you:
Legal documentation of ownership
The ability to take enforcement action if someone infringes
A presence in public databases searchable by others
Added value if you ever license, franchise, or sell your business
In short, registration makes your brand protection official, visible, and enforceable.
How to Register a Trademark in Colorado
Follow these steps to file your trademark properly:
1. Conduct a Trademark Search
Check state and federal databases to confirm that no one else is already using a similar name or logo. If your trademark is too close to an existing one, your application may be denied.
2. Choose state or federal filing
If your business operates only in Colorado, state registration is often sufficient. If you operate across state lines or online, federal registration offers broader protection.
3. File your application
For state trademarks, submit your application through the Colorado Secretary of State. For federal trademarks, file through the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). You’ll need to include a description of the mark, the goods or services it represents, a sample showing how the mark is used, and the appropriate filing fee.
4. Monitor your application
After filing, watch for updates. If the government has questions or objections, you’ll need to respond quickly. Once approved, your trademark becomes active for a set period and must be renewed to remain in force.
Options for Trademark Registration Colorado
You can register a trademark either at state level or federal level, depending on how and where your business operates.
Colorado State Trademark Registration
The Colorado Secretary of State allows businesses to register trademarks for use exclusively within the state. This option is ideal for companies operating locally. The process is simple and cost-effective:
You’ll need to search existing state trademarks, submit an online application with a sample of the mark in use, and pay a modest filing fee. Once approved, the trademark is protected statewide.
Federal Trademark Registration (USPTO)
If your business extends beyond Colorado or operates online, federal trademark registration provides broader protection. The process is more detailed and can take longer, but it gives you exclusive rights across all 50 states.
Federal registration involves selecting the correct trademark class, filing with the USPTO, and submitting a specimen of the mark in use. You’ll also need to monitor the application and respond to any office actions or challenges along the way.
Mistakes to Avoid
One of the most common errors is assuming that forming a business or registering a name with the state provides trademark protection. It doesn’t. A registered business name is not the same as a registered trademark.
Other missteps include choosing generic or descriptive names that can’t be protected, failing to search for existing trademarks before filing, or submitting an application with errors in classification or description.
Should You Hire an Attorney?
While DIY filing is possible, trademark law can be complex. A trademark attorney can help you assess whether your mark is distinctive enough, identify potential conflicts, and handle the registration process correctly from the start.
If you receive an objection (called an office action), your attorney can respond appropriately to preserve your rights. They can also assist with enforcement if another business starts using a mark that’s too close to yours.
Trademark Services from Baker Law Group
At Baker Law Group, PLLC, we help Colorado business owners protect their brands through strategic legal support. Whether you’re registering a new mark, enforcing an existing one, or facing a dispute, our attorneys act quickly to provide clarity, direction, and results.
We don’t just file paperwork—we help you build brand protection that lasts.
Take the First Step Toward Protecting Your Brand
Knowing how to register a trademark in Colorado is the first step. Taking action is the next. Whether you operate locally or nationally, registering your trademark strengthens your brand and gives you the tools to defend it.
Contact Baker Law Group, PLLC today to discuss your trademark options. We’ll help you secure your brand with confidence.
