Registration Requirements

What do I need to register my vehicle?

If the vehicle was titled in another state a VIN verification must be completed. Please see Titling a Vehicle.
Title assigned in owner's name or current out of state registration.
Secure and Verifiable Identification Information (DR 2841)
Proof of Colorado Vehicle Emissions (if applicable)
- For gasoline/hybrid vehicles:
  https://dmv.colorado.gov/gas-vehicles
- For diesel vehicles:
  https://dmv.colorado.gov/diesel-vehicles
Proof Of Insurance:
- Registration of your vehicle(s) may be denied or delayed if the Colorado Motor Vehicle Registration file does not show insurance coverage for the vehicle(s). You must provide any of these forms of proof to your county motor vehicle office before you can register your vehicle(s). For more information, please view Rule 46. Application for Registration- Proof of Insurance.
- Forms of Proof:
  - Colorado Insurance card
  - Copy of your Colorado insurance policy
  - A letter from your insurance company (on company letterhead)
  - Computer printout from insurer.
  - Facsimile of the proof of insurance.
  - Electronic proof of insurance that is not otherwise available to the department. This may be, but is not limited to, insurer provided electronic image/proof on applicant’s cellular phone, lap top, or other portable type of electronic device.
  - If web-based services are available, the department may use applicant’s insurer provided web-based services for proof of insurance.
  - Electronic mail sent from the applicant’s insurer.
Acceptable types of insurance polices:
- Vehicle Specific – Identifies the vehicle by VIN, year, make, and specifies the term of coverage.
- Commercial – Covers a fleet of vehicles and drivers, identifies the commercial entity and specifies the term of coverage.
- Self insurance – Certificate of self insurance issued by the State Commissioner of Insurance to an owner of twenty-five or more vehicles
- Blanket/Operator – Covers the insured driver for any vehicle driven by them, specific vehicles are not listed. Specifies the term of coverage
- Owner/Operator Broad Form – The policy insures any or all vehicles owned by a person or business. The person or business name must show as one of the owners of the vehicle. This policy is not vehicle specific.
Affidavit of Non-Use of Vehicle
- Colorado residents who wish to register vehicles that will not be operated for a period of time or are temporarily residing out of state with valid out of state insurance, may complete the Affidavit of Non-Use (DR 2303) and submit it to their county motor vehicle office.

How are vehicles defined in Colorado?

C.R.S. 42-1-102(112) "Vehicle" means a device that is capable of moving itself, or of being moved, from place to place upon wheels or endless tracks. "Vehicle" includes, without limitation, a bicycle, electrical assisted bicycle, or EPAMD, but does not include a wheelchair, off-highway vehicle, snowmobile, farm tractor, or implement of husbandry designed primarily or exclusively for use and used in agricultural operations or any device moved exclusively over stationary rails or tracks or designed to move primarily through the air.

Registration Required

Within sixty days after purchase (42-3-103(1)(a) C.R.S.)
Within ninety days after becoming a resident of Colorado
An owner of a foreign vehicle operated within this state (42-3-103(2) C.R.S.)
Every nonresident person who operates a business within this state and owns and operates in such business any motor vehicle trailer, semi-trailer, or trailer coach (42-3-103(3) C.R.S.)
Within forty-five days after the owner has returned to the United States (42-3-103(4)(b) C.R.S.
If a vehicle is subject to taxation and is not registered when required by law, the vehicle owner shall pay a late fee of $25 for each month ($10 for trailers), or portion of a month, that it was not registered.
CRS 42-3-112

Payment of Taxes and Fees

Registration Fees:
Fees are based on the empty weight and type of vehicle being registered.

Additional fees may be collected based on county of residence and license plate selected.

Specific Ownership Taxes

These taxes are based on the year of manufacture of the vehicle and the original taxable value which is determined when the vehicle is new and does not change throughout the life of the vehicle.
Ownership tax is in lieu of personal property tax. Vehicles do not need to be operated in order to be assessed this tax.
The ownership tax rate is assessed on the original taxable value and year of service
- Original taxable value is 85% of manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP).
- The annual specific ownership tax is based on the year of service.

Payment Accepted

Cash
Checks
Credit Card Payment
- The following Counties accept MasterCard, Visa, Discover as payment options when titling and registering a vehicle
  - Adams
  - Alamosa
  - Arapahoe
  - Archuleta
  - Baca
  - Boulder
  - Broomfield
  - Chaffee
  - Cheyenne
  - Clear Creek
  - Conejos
  - Costilla
  - Custer
  - Delta
  - Denver
  - Dolores
  - Douglas
  - Eagle
  - El Paso
  - Fremont
  - Garfield
  - Gilpin
  - Grand
  - Gunnison
  - Huerfano
  - Jackson
  - Jefferson
  - Kiowa
  - Kit Carson
  - Lake
  - Larimer
  - Las Animas
  - Lincoln
  - Logan
  - Mesa
  - Moffat
  - Montezuma
  - Montrose
  - Morgan
  - Otero
  - Ouray
  - Park
  - Phillips
  - Pitkin
  - Prowers
  - Pueblo
  - Rio Blanco
  - Rio Grande
  - Routt
  - Saguache
  - San Miguel
  - Summit
  - Teller
  - Washington
The following Counties accept Master Card, Visa, Discover and American Express as a payment option when titling and registering a vehicle.
- Weld
- Yuma

Additional counties may be added at later dates. Please contact your County Motor Vehicle office for updated information.

*NOTE: Registration exemptions may apply. Contact your county motor vehicle office for details or to register your vehicle.

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