For businesses considering trademark registration, Colorado is an ideal location to apply for protection of your business’s identifying marks. Getting a trademark registration is an essential step in safeguarding the unique and identifying marks that communicate what your business represents to the world, but more importantly, to your customers.

Colorado Trademark vs. Federal Trademark

Some businesses may need a federal trademark, but in some cases, such as local businesses that only operate within Colorado, a statewide trademark may be a better option. Understanding the implications of trademark rights and trademark infringement can help you safeguard your intellectual property.

A Colorado trademark is generally very easy to obtain through the Colorado Secretary of State. It takes less time and costs less money than a federal trademark registration. However, a state trademark only protects trademark rights within the state of Colorado. Nevertheless, there were 703 trademark registration filings in Colorado for the first quarter of 2025.

A federal trademark protection spans the entire country and provides the owner with the right to display the trademark symbol. However, the federal trademark registration process can be complicated, and minor mistakes can significantly impact the speed and cost of the process. The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) estimates 824,192 trademark applications submitted to its office for approval in 2025.

If everything goes well with your application, the processing time from submission to examination by the USPTO is generally about six months. In total, the process averages 11.7 months for trademark registration.

Common Reasons Trademark Applications Are Rejected

Because of the number of incoming applications, it is not uncommon for applications to be thrown out for the smallest of errors. Some common problems with trademark applications are:

• The applicant identified the wrong owner of the trademark.
• Goods and services were improperly identified.
• There is a conflict with an existing registered trademark or application.
• The trademark is too generic or too commonly used.

The above mistakes are described by the USPTO as non-fixable. However, some mistakes are fixable. Examples of these mistakes can include:

• The trademark is merely descriptive, such as simply saying ice cream is cold without any unique distinction.
• The trademark has someone else’s name in it without consent.
• The trademark is merely a last name.

Your application is less likely to get rejected or dismissed for small errors with the scrutinizing eye of a trademark attorney to review it. This is why it is imperative to hire a trademark lawyer to assist you in filing your trademark registration application.

In addition to scrutinizing your application to make sure it adheres to all the requirements of the USPTO, a local trademark attorney also knows Colorado trademark laws. They can explain how they apply to your intellectual property rights. It is important to understand how to maintain and enforce your trademark, should there be a trademark dispute down the road.

Why Choose Us?

Four Reasons Legal has extensive experience in trademark registration. Colorado is a great place to apply for a trademark registration, and our attorneys are well-versed in Colorado trademark laws. We can do a comprehensive search to make sure there are no existing rights to your marks, assist you in filing your application to register your trademark, and provide the support you need thereafter. We are also prepared to help you enforce your rights if necessary.

Hire a Trademark Lawyer With Experience

Having a trademark law firm that understands your business and knows your trademark can be an invaluable resource. Don’t wait until the last minute to hire a trademark attorney. Prepare in advance so we can assist you going forward. Let us help you register your trademark, and if and when someone infringes on your intellectual property rights, we’ll be here.

FAQs

Q: What Are the Types of Trademarks?

A: The types of trademarks include:

• Generic, or common, which is not eligible for trademark registration
• Suggestive, which hints at but does not fully describe the product, can be inherently protected
• Descriptive, which describes the product and needs a secondary meaning to offer protection
• Arbitrary, which means a real mark used in a unique context and offers the strongest protection under federal trademark laws
• Fanciful, which means an invented mark with no meaning outside the context of the product

Q: Can I File a Trademark on My Own?

A: Yes, anyone can file for their own trademark registration. However, those who hire a trademark attorney have a better chance of getting an acceptance of their application, as well as reducing the amount of time it takes to complete the process. It is very easy to get denied for a trademark registration on your own, due to making any of several potential errors. With an attorney, it is more likely that you get denied for trivial mistakes.

Q: How Much Does It Cost to Register a Trademark in Colorado?

A: The cost to register a trademark in Colorado is $30. Trademark registration can be done online via the Colorado Secretary of State online portal. A Colorado trademark protects your mark within the state of Colorado, but it may not be the right choice in every case. Your trademark attorney can help you determine the right options for your intellectual property needs.

Q: What Is the Average Cost to Get a Federal Trademark?

A: The basic cost to apply for a federal trademark is $350. However, there may be additional fees in the application process, depending on the complexity of the specific application, as well as other factors such as incomplete information, incorrect filing, and others. Working with a qualified trademark lawyer can help ensure the process is smooth and save time and expense caused by mistakes.

Hire a Trademark Lawyer Who Knows Colorado Trademark Laws

Having a trademark lawyer on hand, should you need one in the event of a trademark dispute, is an invaluable resource. Whether you need assistance filing a trademark application in Colorado, legal support for applying for a trademark registration with the USPTO, or advice and litigation to fight infringement, Four Reasons Legal can help. Contact our office to discuss your intellectual property needs.