Last Updated on October 29, 2025 by Michelle Garcia
The inventor sat across from me, a prototype of a new solar panel mounting bracket for Colorado’s highwind roofs sitting between us on the conference room table. He’d spent two years perfecting it in his garage out near Southlands, but a company in California had just sent him a ceaseanddesist letter. “I thought my notebook was enough,” he said, the frustration clear in his voice. I leaned back in my chair, the afternoon sun hitting the windows of our office in the Aurora Municipal Center area. That conversation, and hundreds like it, is why I do this work.
In my twelve years practicing patent law here in Aurora, I’ve seen a real shift. We’re not just a Denver suburb anymore. With the Anschutz Medical Campus, the Buckley Space Force Base, and a growing tech scene, this city is buzzing with inventors and entrepreneurs. But what most people don’t realize is that a great idea born in a garage in Aurora is competing in a global market the second it leaves that garage. Protecting it isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity for staying in business.
Why a Local Patent Attorney in Aurora Makes a Difference
Honestly, you could file a patent with an attorney from anywhere. But there’s a distinct advantage to working with someone who has their boots on the ground here. I’ve had clients from the conservative, established neighborhoods of southeast Aurora and others from the more eclectic, startupheavy areas near the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. Their needs are different, but their local challenges are often the same.
You know what’s funny? The weather. It sounds trivial, but Colorado’s wild temperature swings and intense hail storms create unique engineering problems. I’ve reviewed patent applications for everything from hailresistant roofing materials to specialized coatings for outdoor electronics. An attorney in Florida isn’t thinking about hail damage. An attorney in Aurora is. We understand the local industries, the supply chains, and even the specific grant opportunities sometimes available through the City of Aurora’s economic development office.
The Three Big Mistakes Aurora Inventors Make
I’ve made this mistake myself early in my career, so I know how easy it is to fall into these traps.
1. The “Public Disclosure” Trap
Back in 2019, I had a client who developed a new water filtration system. He was so proud of it, he demoed it at a local sustainability fair at Stanley Marketplace. It was a huge hit. But that public demonstration started a oneyear clock for filing a US patent application. Wait—actually, let me rephrase that more clearly: In most of the world, showing your invention publicly before you file a patent application destroys your right to patent it entirely. In the US, you get a oneyear grace period. But that grace period is a trap. It lulls you into a false sense of security, and it makes getting foreign patents nearly impossible. If you’re from Aurora, you know how collaborative our business community is. That collaboration can accidentally sink your patent rights if you’re not careful.
2. Thinking a “Poor Man’s Patent” is Enough
This one still stings. A brilliant engineer from the Painted Prairie area mailed himself a sealed envelope with his designs inside, thinking the postmark would serve as proof. It doesn’t. The US patent system is a “firsttofile” system, not “firsttoinvent.” That mailed envelope is worthless in a legal dispute. The only thing that matters is who gets a properly drafted application to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) first.
3. Underestimating the “NonObvious” Hurdle
The truth is, the USPTO doesn’t just grant patents for new things. They grant them for new, useful, and nonobvious things. Combining two existing products isn’t automatically patentable. I see this a lot with tech gadgets. “It’s a phone charger with a bottle opener!” Okay, but why is that combination not obvious to someone else skilled in that field? This is where the legal argument comes in, and it’s the core of what a good patent attorney does. We build that argument for you.
What the Patent Process Actually Looks Like Here
So, let’s say you’ve invented the next great thing in your Aurora workshop. What happens next?
- Step 1: The Strategy Session. This isn’t just a sales call. We sit down, look at your invention, your market, and your business goals. We discuss whether a patent is even the right tool, or if a trademark or copyright makes more sense. This is where we map out a plan.
- Step 2: The Patent Search. We commission a professional search to see what’s already out there. This saves you thousands of dollars down the line by avoiding a doomed application. I can’t tell you how many times this search has helped an inventor refine their idea into something truly patentable.
- Step 3: Drafting the Application. This is the heavy lifting. A patent isn’t just a description; it’s a legal document with very specific sections—the background, summary, detailed description, and most importantly, the claims. The claims define the literal boundaries of your legal protection. A single word can change everything.
- Step 4: Prosecution. This is the backandforth with the patent examiner. They will almost always reject your claims initially. This is normal. We then argue your case, amending the claims and presenting legal reasoning. This can take a year or two. It requires patience.
The Cost of Protecting Your Idea in Aurora
To be completely honest, this is the part that makes most people gulp. It’s a significant investment. For a utility patent—which covers how an invention works—you’re looking at total costs, including USPTO fees and legal fees, typically ranging from $10,000 to $20,000 from start to finish. Sometimes more for complex tech or medical devices.
Most Aurora inventors I work with spend in the $12,000–$16,000 range for a solid utility patent. The bulk of that is legal work for drafting and prosecution. Design patents (which protect how something looks) are less, usually $2,000 to $4,000. And there’s no sugarcoating it—it’s a multiyear financial commitment. But you have to weigh it against the cost of someone stealing your idea and building a business on your hard work.
Some Established Local Options for Patent Help
Based on actual local presence, here are some established providers in Aurora and the surrounding area:
Dorsey & Whitney LLP — Has a strong intellectual property practice with attorneys serving the Denver metro area, including Aurora.
Sherman & Associates LLC — A boutique IP firm located in the Denver area, serving inventors and businesses in Aurora.
Holland & Hart LLP — Another large firm with a robust IP department that serves clients throughout Colorado, including Aurora.
Anyway, the key is to find someone you trust, who communicates clearly, and who understands your specific industry.
Navigating Local and State Resources
It’s not all about private attorneys. There are fantastic resources here in Colorado to help innovators. The Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) is where you can verify an attorney’s license to practice in the state. It’s a good first step.
For broader information on the patent process itself, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) website is the definitive source. And for local business support, the City of Aurora’s official website has information on economic development programs that can sometimes connect you with resources.
Frequently Asked Questions by Aurora Inventors
How long does a patent last?
A utility patent lasts 20 years from the filing date, but you have to pay maintenance fees at 3.5, 7.5, and 11.5 years to keep it in force. A design patent lasts 15 years from the grant date with no maintenance fees.
Can I patent software developed in Aurora?
Yes, but it’s tricky. The software has to do more than just a generic computer process; it needs to offer a “technical improvement.” The rules have been changing for years, so this is an area where expert guidance is absolutely critical.
What’s the difference between a provisional and nonprovisional application?
A provisional is a placeholder. It’s cheaper, simpler, and gives you a “patent pending” status for one year, but it never becomes a patent. You must file a formal nonprovisional application within that year to actually pursue the patent. It’s a good first step for testing the waters.
What if someone infringes my patent?
That’s when the real work begins, unfortunately. Patent enforcement means litigation, which is expensive and timeconsuming. Having a welldrafted patent from the start is your best defense, as it makes your legal position stronger and can sometimes deter infringers before a lawsuit is even needed.
Funny thing is, after all the legal jargon and complex process, it always comes back to that person with an idea. The solar bracket inventor? We conducted a search, found a path forward, and secured his patent. Last I heard, he’d licensed the technology to a company in Centennial. He’s doing well. That’s the goal, really. It’s not just about filing paperwork; it’s about building a fence around the hard work of the people right here in Aurora, so they can reap the rewards. If you’re sitting on an idea, start by having a candid conversation with a professional about what it would take to protect it. It’s the first, and most important, step in building something lasting.