The Colorado Attorney Registration Statement is the annual filing that every lawyer admitted to practice in Colorado must complete and pay for to stay in good standing with the Colorado Supreme Court. It is required by C.R.C.P. 227, and it covers four things: your child support status, your trust account (COLTAF) compliance, your malpractice insurance, and your signed certification.
Miss the deadline and the cost grows fast, and a long enough delay can suspend your license to practice law. The statement is short, but a single wrong checkbox in the trust account or insurance section can create a compliance problem that follows you. Roughly 28,000 attorneys file this statement each year, and the office charges a $100 late fee the moment you cross February 28 without finishing.
Here is what you will learn in this guide:
- 📋 What the registration statement is and exactly who must file it
- 🗂️ Every document and number to gather before you open the form
- ✍️ A line-by-line walkthrough of all four sections, with sample answers
- 💵 Current fees, deadlines, and the penalties for filing late
- ⚠️ The field-level mistakes that cause holds, late fees, and suspension
What the Form Is and Who Must File It
The Colorado Attorney Registration Statement is a yearly compliance filing managed by the Office of Attorney Registration, an arm of the Colorado Supreme Court. C.R.C.P. 227 requires every attorney admitted to practice law in Colorado to file this statement and pay a fee each year. The rule has real teeth: a lawyer who ignores it can be administratively suspended and barred from practicing until the issue is fixed.
The plain-English point is that registration proves you are still active, still insured the way you claim, and still handling client money the right way. If you skip it, the consequence is not a warning letter forever; it is late fees, then suspension, then a reinstatement process. For example, Daniel Reyes assumed his firm’s administrator filed for him, never confirmed it, and learned in May that he had been suspended.
Who must file is broader than most lawyers think. Active attorneys file, but so do inactive attorneys, judges, inactive attorneys over 65, and those practicing under a limited license or limited law practice (LLP). The common misconception is that “inactive” lawyers are off the hook. That is false. Inactive attorneys over 65 pay zero dollars, yet they still must complete and file the statement every year.
The deadline that governs everything is February 28. The agency that receives the filing is the Office of Attorney Registration at 1300 Broadway, Suite 510, Denver. The statute that requires it is C.R.C.P. 227, and the penalty that follows non-compliance starts at $100 and ends at suspension. Each of these pieces connects: the rule sets the duty, the date sets the clock, the agency collects the proof, and the penalty enforces the deadline.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Gather everything below before you log in. The online portal times out, and hunting for an account number mid-filing is how mistakes happen.
- Your attorney registration number (bar number). This is your login and your identity in the system, and without it you cannot start.
- Your current mailing address, email, and phone. The office sends every notice here, and a stale email is the top reason lawyers miss the renewal reminder.
- Your COLTAF trust account name, number, and bank. Section 2 asks for this exactly, and a wrong digit can flag your trust compliance.
- The city where your trust account is held. The form asks for it separately from the bank name, and leaving it blank stalls the section.
- Your malpractice insurance carrier name. Section 3 lists specific carriers, and you must match yours or pick “Other.”
- Confirmation of whether you intend to maintain coverage. The form asks about intent, not just current status, so know your plan.
- Your child support status. You certify one of three options, and guessing wrong is a false certification.
- A payment method. A check, ACH e-check, or debit card avoids the surcharge, while a credit card adds a 2% fee under C.R.S. § 5-2-212.
Missing any item does not just slow you down. If you skip your trust account details, the system treats Section 2 as incomplete, and an incomplete statement is not a filed statement, so the late-fee clock keeps running. Janet Cho, a solo practitioner, lost an afternoon because she could not recall whether her COLTAF account was under her name or her firm’s name.
A pre-filing checklist matters most for the trust account and insurance fields, because those two sections carry compliance weight beyond the fee. Confirm the exact account name on your bank statement, not the name you think it is. Confirm your carrier from your policy declarations page, not memory.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
Most attorneys complete registration through the official Colorado Attorney Registration System, the online portal at csc.attorneyregistration.com. You log in with your bar number, and the portal walks you through the same four sections and collects payment in one session. The office emails a reminder notice with login details before the renewal window opens, usually by the first week of January.
You can also file on paper. The Compliance Statements form is posted as a fillable PDF on the Office of Attorney Registration’s forms page. You may print it, fill it in electronically, by hand, or with a typewriter, then mail it with your fee to the office in Denver. Paper filers should note that mailed payments count as received on the date the office gets them, not the postmark date.
The form carries a year label at the top, such as 2026, and you should confirm you are using the current year’s version before you start. Using last year’s PDF risks outdated carrier lists or fee figures. If you have not received your reminder notice by the first week of January, the office asks you to contact it right away, because late fees apply whether or not the reminder reached you.
The plain-English takeaway is that the portal is faster and gives instant proof, while the PDF exists as a backup. The consequence of using the wrong channel is rarely fatal, but mailing a paper form close to the deadline is risky because processing time eats your cushion. Marcus Lee, newly admitted, mailed his form on February 25 and was charged a late fee because it arrived March 3.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out the Colorado Attorney Registration Statement Line by Line
The statement has four numbered sections. Complete them in order, because Section 4 asks you to certify that the marked statements above are true. Work top to bottom and do not sign until every box reflects your real situation.
Top of Form: Date, Name, and Registration Number
What it asks in plain English. The header collects the filing date and identifies you by name and attorney registration number so the office can match the statement to your record.
How to answer it. Enter the date you complete the form using a clear format, and write your full legal name as it appears on your bar record. In the portal, your name and number auto-fill once you log in.
A specific example answer. Daniel Reyes enters 06/02/2026 in the date field and confirms his name reads Daniel A. Reyes with bar number 45821.
A nuance or edge case. If your legal name changed since last year through marriage or a court order, update it here and file a supplemental statement of change within 28 days, because the office cross-checks your name against its admission records.
A common mistake and its consequence. Writing a nickname or dropping a middle initial that appears on your bar record can cause the office to question whether the filing belongs to you, which delays processing.
A misconception about this field. Many lawyers think the date field is cosmetic, but it documents when you certified, and a date after February 28 confirms a late filing on its face.
Section 1: Child Support Certification
What it asks in plain English. This section, tied to C.R.C.P. 227(A)(2)(a), asks you to certify your status regarding any court-ordered child support.
How to answer it. Choose exactly one of three statements: that you are not under any court order to pay child support, that you are in compliance with your child support orders, or that you are not in compliance with child support orders.
A specific example answer. Aisha Bello, who has no child support order, checks I hereby certify that I am NOT UNDER ANY COURT ORDER to pay child support.
A nuance or edge case. If you have an order and pay on time, you pick the “in compliance” box, not the “no order” box, because an order exists even when you are current.
A common mistake and its consequence. Checking “no court order” when an order actually exists is a false certification to the Supreme Court, which is far more serious than admitting non-compliance.
A misconception about this field. Some attorneys believe being behind on child support is automatically disqualifying, but the form simply requires honest disclosure, and an honest “not in compliance” answer is handled, not auto-suspended.
Section 2: COLTAF Trust Account Compliance (Rule 1.15 A–E)
What it asks in plain English. This section confirms how you handle Colorado client funds under Rule 1.15 A–E, the rules that govern lawyer trust accounts and the Colorado Lawyer Trust Account Foundation (COLTAF). It applies only to Colorado accounts and Colorado client funds.
How to answer it. Either certify that you or your firm hold client funds in a COLTAF interest-bearing account and list the Account Name, Account Number, Financial Institution, and City, or check an exemption.
A specific example answer. Janet Cho enters account name Cho Law LLC COLTAF, account number 0098 7654, financial institution FirstBank, and city Denver.
A nuance or edge case. You can claim an exemption if all client funds sit in trust accounts with interest payable to clients, if you do not receive, maintain, or disburse client funds in Colorado, or if a COLTAF account is not feasible for reasons beyond your control, which you must specify.
A common mistake and its consequence. Transposing a digit in the account number creates a mismatch with bank records the office relies on, which can trigger a trust compliance inquiry on an account that is actually fine.
A misconception about this field. Many lawyers think every attorney needs a COLTAF account, but if you never touch client funds in Colorado, the correct move is the exemption box, not a made-up account.
Section 3: Malpractice Insurance Disclosure
What it asks in plain English. This section asks whether you are in private practice, whether you carry professional liability insurance, whether you intend to keep it, and which carrier insures you.
How to answer it. Mark YES or NO for private practice, mark YES or NO for current coverage and intent to maintain it, then select your carrier from the listed options or choose Other.
A specific example answer. Marcus Lee, an associate at a firm, marks private practice YES, coverage YES, and selects ALPS (Attorneys’ Liability Protection Society) as his carrier.
A nuance or edge case. Government lawyers and in-house counsel often mark private practice NO, which routes them past the carrier list, since the disclosure targets private practitioners who serve outside clients.
A common mistake and its consequence. Marking “covered” while naming no carrier leaves the disclosure incomplete, and incomplete answers can hold up your registration until you fix them.
A misconception about this field. Lawyers assume disclosing “no insurance” is forbidden, but Colorado does not mandate malpractice coverage for all attorneys; it mandates that you disclose your status honestly.
Section 4: Certification and Signature
What it asks in plain English. This final section is your sworn statement that everything you marked above is true and that you understand your ongoing duties.
How to answer it. Sign and confirm three acknowledgments: that your answers are accurate, that registration is not complete until the Court receives your fee, and that under C.R.C.P. 227(A)(2)(b) you must file a supplemental statement of change within 28 days of any change.
A specific example answer. Daniel Reyes types his name Daniel A. Reyes in the NAME field and submits, which serves as his electronic signature in the portal.
A nuance or edge case. Even after you sign, your registration is not finished until payment posts, so a signed-but-unpaid statement still counts as incomplete past the deadline.
A common mistake and its consequence. Signing before fixing an error above means you have certified something false, and correcting it later requires a supplemental statement rather than a quiet edit.
A misconception about this field. Many lawyers think signing ends their yearly obligation, but the 28-day change rule means address, email, trust account, child support, and insurance changes must be reported all year long.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Below are three common filers walked through the whole statement. Each shows what that person enters in the major sections.
Scenario 1: Janet Cho, active solo practitioner with a COLTAF account
| Form Section | What Janet Enters |
|---|---|
| Date | 06/02/2026 |
| Name / Registration Number | Janet Cho / 38110 |
| Section 1 – Child Support | Not under any court order to pay child support |
| Section 2 – COLTAF | Account Cho Law LLC COLTAF, number 0098 7654 |
| Section 2 – Bank / City | FirstBank / Denver |
| Section 3 – Private Practice | YES |
| Section 3 – Insurance / Carrier | YES / ALPS |
| Section 4 – Certification | Signs Janet Cho, pays $395 active fee |
Scenario 2: Marcus Lee, newly admitted firm associate (first 3 years)
| Form Section | What Marcus Enters |
|---|---|
| Date | 01/20/2026 |
| Name / Registration Number | Marcus Lee / 51002 |
| Section 1 – Child Support | In compliance with child support orders |
| Section 2 – COLTAF | Exempt: firm holds all client funds in firm trust account |
| Section 2 – Account Fields | Left blank, exemption box checked |
| Section 3 – Private Practice | YES |
| Section 3 – Insurance / Carrier | YES / Other (firm policy) |
| Section 4 – Certification | Signs Marcus Lee, pays $190 reduced fee |
Scenario 3: Aisha Bello, inactive attorney over 65
| Form Section | What Aisha Enters |
|---|---|
| Date | 02/05/2026 |
| Name / Registration Number | Aisha Bello / 11487 |
| Section 1 – Child Support | Not under any court order to pay child support |
| Section 2 – COLTAF | Exempt: does not receive client funds in Colorado |
| Section 2 – Account Fields | Left blank, exemption box checked |
| Section 3 – Private Practice | NO |
| Section 3 – Insurance / Carrier | NO (not in private practice) |
| Section 4 – Certification | Signs Aisha Bello, pays $0 (fee-exempt over 65) |
How to File the Completed Form
You have two filing channels, and each has its own steps, costs, and proof to keep.
Online portal. File through the Colorado Attorney Registration System at csc.attorneyregistration.com. Log in with your bar number, complete all four sections, and pay in the same session. You can pay by ACH e-check or debit card with no surcharge, or by credit card with a 2% surcharge under C.R.S. § 5-2-212. Online filings post immediately, so save the confirmation screen and any emailed receipt as your proof of filing.
By mail. Print the Compliance Statements PDF, complete it, and mail it with a check or money order to the Office of Attorney Registration, Colorado Supreme Court, 1300 Broadway, Suite 510, Denver, CO 80203. Mailed payments are processed as of the date received, not the postmark, so mail early. Keep a copy of the completed form and proof of mailing as your record.
The office’s phone is (303) 928-7800 and its fax is (303) 501-1146 for questions about a stuck filing. Expected processing for online payments is instant, while mailed checks take days to post. Whatever channel you choose, your registration is not complete until both the statement and the payment reach the Court.
What Happens After You File
Once your statement and fee both post, your status updates to current for the year, and you keep practicing without interruption. The online portal usually reflects this right away, and your emailed receipt is your proof that you filed on time.
If you filed but did not pay, the system still treats you as incomplete, and the late-fee clock keeps ticking past February 28. This is the trap that catches lawyers who sign the form, get interrupted, and never finish the payment step.
Throughout the rest of the year, your duty does not end. Under the 28-day change rule, any change to your mailing address, phone, email, trust account information, child support status, or insurance coverage must be reported to the office in a supplemental statement. Daniel Reyes who switches banks in July must report his new COLTAF account within 28 days, not wait for next year’s renewal.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
- Signing but not paying. Registration stays incomplete and late fees accrue past February 28.
- Using last year’s PDF. Outdated carrier lists or fees can make your filing wrong on its face.
- Transposing a trust account number. A mismatch with bank records can trigger a trust compliance inquiry.
- Checking “no child support order” when one exists. This is a false certification to the Supreme Court.
- Marking “insured” with no carrier named. The disclosure is incomplete and your registration can be held.
- Mailing the form near the deadline. Mail posts on the date received, not the postmark, so you risk a late fee.
- Ignoring the reminder email. A stale address means you never see it, but late fees apply anyway.
- Assuming inactive means no filing. Inactive and over-65 attorneys still must file every year.
- Leaving the trust account city blank. Section 2 asks for it separately and stalls without it.
- Forgetting the 28-day change rule. A mid-year address or bank change goes unreported and breaches Rule 227(A)(2)(b).
- Paying by credit card to save time. You pay a 2% surcharge that ACH or debit avoids.
- Letting a firm admin “handle it” unchecked. If it never gets filed, the suspension lands on you.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do:
- Do file before February 28 because that date is the hard deadline that starts every penalty.
- Do confirm your account name from your bank statement since memory often differs from the real account title.
- Do keep your confirmation receipt because it is your only proof you filed on time.
- Do update your email with the office so the January reminder actually reaches you.
- Do pick the right exemption box if you never handle Colorado client funds.
- Do report changes within 28 days to satisfy the supplemental statement rule.
Don’t:
- Don’t sign before checking every box because Section 4 certifies everything above is true.
- Don’t pay by credit card if you want to avoid the 2% surcharge when ACH or debit is free.
- Don’t mail the form on the deadline since posting date, not postmark, controls.
- Don’t guess your child support status because a false certification is serious.
- Don’t skip the filing because your fee is $0 as over-65 inactive lawyers still must file.
- Don’t assume someone else filed for you without confirming it yourself.
Pros and Cons of Filing Online vs. By Mail
| Filing Online | Filing By Mail |
|---|---|
| Posts instantly, so your status updates the same day | Takes days to process, posting on the date received |
| ACH and debit payment carry no surcharge | Check or money order avoids any card surcharge |
| Confirmation screen and email give immediate proof | You keep a paper copy and mailing receipt as proof |
| Auto-fills your name and bar number to cut errors | Lets you complete it offline at your own pace |
| Guides you section by section so you skip nothing | Useful as a backup if the portal gives you trouble |
| Requires reliable internet and portal login access | Risky near the deadline because mail posts late |
| Card payments add a 2% surcharge if you use them | No instant confirmation, so timing is uncertain |
The online portal wins for speed and proof, which matters most as the deadline nears. Mail works as a fallback, but only if you send it with a comfortable cushion before February 28.
FAQs
Do inactive attorneys have to file the registration statement?
Yes. All inactive attorneys must complete and file the statement every year. Those under 65 pay $160, while inactive attorneys over 65 are fee-exempt but still must file.
Do I have to file if I am over 65 and pay nothing?
Yes. The over-65 inactive exemption waives the fee, not the filing. You still complete and submit the full statement under C.R.C.P. 227.
Is the deadline really February 28?
Yes. On or before February 28 each year, every attorney must file and pay. A $100 late fee applies the moment you cross that date without finishing.
Do I write my COLTAF account under my name or my firm’s name in Section 2?
Yes, use whichever name appears on the actual bank account. If the firm holds the COLTAF account, enter the firm’s exact account name, not your personal name.
Do I need a COLTAF account to file?
No. If you do not receive, maintain, or disburse Colorado client funds, you check the exemption box in Section 2 instead of listing an account.
Do I check “no court order” in Section 1 if I pay child support on time?
No. If an order exists, you certify that you are in compliance, not that there is no order, even when you are fully current.
Do I have to name my malpractice carrier in Section 3?
Yes, if you mark that you are covered. Select your carrier from the list or choose Other, because marking “insured” with no carrier leaves the disclosure incomplete.
Do government lawyers fill out the insurance carrier field?
No. Attorneys not in private practice usually mark private practice NO, which routes them past the carrier selection in Section 3.
Is my registration complete once I sign?
No. Registration is not complete until the Court receives your fee. A signed but unpaid statement still counts as incomplete past the deadline.
Do I pay extra to use a credit card?
Yes. A 2% surcharge applies to credit card payments under C.R.S. § 5-2-212. ACH e-check and debit card payments carry no surcharge.
Do I have to report a mid-year address change?
Yes. Under C.R.C.P. 227(A)(2)(b), you must file a supplemental statement within 28 days of changes to address, email, phone, trust account, child support, or insurance.
Will I be suspended for filing late?
Yes, eventually. A $100 fee hits after February 28, another $200 after March 31, and you may be suspended if you fail to comply by April 30, plus a $200 reinstatement fee.
Can I still file on paper instead of online?
Yes. You can print the Compliance Statements PDF and mail it with a check to the Office of Attorney Registration in Denver, though the portal is faster.
Do newly admitted attorneys pay the full $395 fee?
No. Attorneys within their first three years of admission to practice in any state pay a reduced active fee of $190, based on their first admission date.
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