LegalCostCalculator
Updated May 2026 Side-by-Side

Colorado vs Montana: Legal Cost Comparison (2026)

Full side-by-side breakdown of legal fees in Colorado and Montana — LLC formation, divorce filing, small claims limits, and notary fees.

Montana
Cheaper LLC
Montana
Cheaper Divorce
Colorado
Higher SC Limit

LLC Formation Costs: Colorado vs Montana

Colorado
Montana

Filing Fee

$50
$35 WIN

✓ Montana is cheaper here

Annual Report

$10 WIN
$15

✓ Colorado is cheaper here

Publication Cost

$0
$0

It's a tie

Franchise Tax

$0
$0

It's a tie

Est. Year-1 Total

$50
$35 WIN

✓ Montana is cheaper here

Colorado: Colorado processes instantly online — but online filing is required.

Montana: Montana has no sales tax — beneficial for product-based businesses.

Colorado: Only $10/year annual report — one of the lowest ongoing costs in the US.

Montana: Lowest formation fee in the US at $35. No sales tax.

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Small Claims Court: Colorado vs Montana

Colorado
Montana

Max Claim Limit

$7,500 WIN
$7,000

✓ Colorado is cheaper here

Min Filing Fee

$31
$30 WIN

✓ Montana is cheaper here

Contract SOL

3 yrs
8 yrs WIN

✓ Montana is cheaper here

Divorce Filing Costs: Colorado vs Montana

Colorado
Montana

Filing Fee

$230
$120 WIN

✓ Montana is cheaper here

Sheriff Service

$50
$50

It's a tie

Children Surcharge

$0
$0

It's a tie

Notary Fees: Colorado vs Montana

Colorado
Montana

Acknowledgment

$15
$10

Jurat

$15
$10

RON Fee

$25
$10
All Legal Costs in Colorado →
Full breakdown: LLC, divorce, small claims & notary
All Legal Costs in Montana →
Full breakdown: LLC, divorce, small claims & notary

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Colorado or Montana cheaper to form an LLC?
Montana is cheaper to form an LLC — $35 vs $50. However, consider the full first-year cost including annual report fees: Colorado year-1 total is $50 vs Montana at $35.
What is the LLC filing fee in Colorado vs Montana?
The LLC filing fee is $50 in Colorado vs $35 in Montana. In addition to the one-time filing fee, Colorado charges a $10 annual report fee and Montana charges a $15 annual report fee.
Which state is better for a small business — Colorado or Montana?
For most small businesses operating in one state, form your LLC in the state where you actually do business. If you operate in Colorado, form there — registering in Montana and then foreign-qualifying in Colorado means paying fees to both states. The "form in a cheaper state" strategy mainly benefits online businesses with no physical location.
How do divorce filing fees compare between Colorado and Montana?
Montana has lower divorce filing fees — $120 vs $230. Both states also charge for service of process ($50 in Colorado, $50 in Montana). You can only file divorce in a state where you or your spouse meets the residency requirement.
What is the small claims limit in Colorado vs Montana?
The small claims limit is $7,500 in Colorado vs $7,000 in Montana. Colorado allows you to sue for more money without going to regular civil court. Filing fees are $31 in Colorado and $30 in Montana.