Not all vehicle types are eligible for on-highway title and registration in Colorado, even if they were previously titled in another state. Vehicles other than motor vehicles, motorcycles, most low-speed electric vehicles, and trailers, which follow the typical title and registration processes, are listed below with their title and registration eligibility.
In Colorado, the issuance of most personal motor vehicle titles and registrations is handled by local County Clerk & Recorders in the county where you reside.
Low-Power Scooter
A Low-Power Scooter (LPS) is a self-propelled vehicle designed primarily for use on the roadways with not more than three wheels in contact with the ground, no manual clutch, and either a cylinder capacity not exceeding fifty cubic centimeters (50cc), if powered by internal combustion, or a wattage not exceeding four thousand four hundred seventy-six (4,476), if powered by electricity.
A Low-Power Scooter does not include a toy vehicle, bicycle, electric-assisted bicycle, wheelchair, or any device designed to assist mobility-impaired people who use pedestrian right-of-ways. Click here to learn more about e-bikes.
Colorado Revised Statute 42-1-102(48.5), 42-2-103, 42-3-105(1)(d)(l), 42-3-105(2), 42-3-104(4)(a), 42-3-311, 42-4-109, 10-4-619 and 10-4-624 and 1 CCR 204-10-40 Low-Power Scooter Rule.
The registration period for a LPS is 3 years. A LPS decal is provided upon registration. Effective July 1, 2025 the registration fee is $5.88 for the 3 year period.
Low-Power Scooters may only be registered or renewed when the applicant has a complying motor vehicle insurance policy or a certificate of self-insurance in full force and effect. Secure and verifiable identification (DR 2841 available on the forms page here) is also required.
Applications for new first-time registrations must be submitted via one of the following options:
- Directly to the state Vehicle Services office via the DR 2701 (available on the forms page here).
- By mail to the address listed on form DR 2701.
- By appointment for the Westgate Vehicle Services location (3265 S. Wadsworth Blvd #3, Lakewood).
- Select “Other Non-County Title & Reg Services” appointment type.
- Click here to schedule an appointment.
- By drop-off to the Westgate Vehicle Services location (3265 S. Wadsworth Blvd #3, Lakewood), you will be contacted when it is ready for pickup.
- To the State Authorized Low-Power Scooter Agent from whom the Low-Power Scooter was purchased. The agent will be responsible for providing the required documentation to the State Vehicle Services Section.
Renewal applications can be submitted via one of the options that are directly to the state Vehicle Services office, as seen above via form DR 2701.
At this time, this service is not available at county motor vehicle offices or through myDMV.
You will need to complete the DR 2228 Low Power Scooter Registration Agent Application (available on the forms page here) and submit it to the address listed on the form.
Low-Speed Electric Vehicles
Low-speed electric vehicles (LSEV) are defined as a vehicle that:
- Is self-propelled, utilizing electricity as its primary propulsion method.
- Has at least three (3) wheels in contact with the ground.
- Does not use handlebars to steer.
- Exhibits the manufacturer’s compliance with 49 CFR 565 or displays a seventeen (17) character vehicle identification number as provided in 49 CFR 565.
LSEVs are defined in statute as a motor vehicle and are approved for limited on-road use. Most LSEV’s are titled and registered as Tax Class C vehicles. They are plated with passenger plates and must display current validating year and month tabs. This is completed at your county motor vehicle office.
Class B LSEVs are not eligible for title and/or registration until after the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT), through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), has adopted Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) for LSEVs that authorize operation at greater than 25 miles per hour but less than 45 miles per hour.
Additional information can be found in CRS 42-1-102(58), 42-4-109.5, 42-4-109.6(5)(a) and Senate Bill 09-075.
Kei Vehicles
Kei vehicles are defined as a vehicle:
- Powered by an internal combustion engine with a displacement of a one thousand cubic centimeters or less, or an electrical motor of fifty-six thousand watts or less;
- Is sixty-seven inches or less in width;
- Is one hundred forty inches or less in length;
- Travels on four or more tires in contact with the ground;
- Has a top speed of at least fifty miles per hour;
- Has an enclosed passenger cab;
- Was imported into the United States; and
- Was 25 years old or older when imported into the US; or is 25 years old or older and was previously issued a title in the US. (CRS 42-1-102 (42.3))
These are not legal to title or register for on-highway use in Colorado until January 1, 2028. After that date, they will only be allowed on roads with a speed limit of 55 mph or less. For more information, see House Bill 25-1281.
Additional information on the registration process will be provided closer to January 1, 2028.
Kit Vehicles
A Kit vehicle is a passenger-type motor vehicle assembled, by other than a licensed manufacturer, from a manufactured kit that includes a prefabricated body and chassis and is accompanied by a manufacturer's statement of origin (CRS 42-1-102(45.5)). A kit vehicle must meet the definition of a motor vehicle and not an off-highway vehicle to be allowed an on-highway title and registration. Kit vehicles will need to follow the DR 2709 State of Colorado Checklist: CO Assigned Vehicle Identification Number form available on the Forms webpage here.
Check with your county motor vehicle office or Colorado State Patrol to see if your vehicle qualifies as a kit vehicle.
Military Vehicles
Personally owned military vehicles (historical, surplus, or foreign) are not allowed on-highway title or registration in Colorado as they do not meet the definition of a motor vehicle.
Vehicles defined by statute as a Surplus Military Vehicle, which is a self-propelled vehicle that was purchased for nonmilitary use and built for the US Armed Forces, may receive an Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) title, as surplus military vehicles are defined in statute as being off-highway vehicles.
Vehicles defined by statute as a Historical Military Vehicle, which is a vehicle of any size or weight that is valued for historical purposes, that was manufactured for use by any nation’s armed forces, and that is maintained in a condition that represents its military design and markings, are not eligible for any sort of title in Colorado as they do not meet the definition of a motor vehicle and are strictly excluded in statute from being an OHV.
As no personally owned military vehicle is allowed to be driven on the highway, this means they are not eligible for special event license plates or as a collector vehicle. Any inquiries about use in a parade or other event should be addressed to local law enforcement or event organizers.
It does not matter if your military vehicle was titled and registered for on-highway use in another state; Colorado does not allow them on our highways. Any vehicles found to be erroneously titled and registered will have them revoked.
Please see Senate Bills 19-054 and 20-056, as well as CRS 42-6-102(20.5), 42-6-102(11.5)(b), 42-6-102(6.3) for additional information.
Off-Highway Vehicles
Off-highway vehicles (OHV) can be titled for off-highway use in Colorado with your county motor vehicle office. However, they can only be registered through Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
An OHV:
- Is a self-propelled vehicle that is designed to travel on wheels or tracks in contact with the ground,
- Is designed primarily for use off public highways
- Is generally and commonly used to transport persons for recreational purposes.
- Includes all-terrain vehicles, snowmobiles, and surplus military vehicles.
OHVs do not include:
- Toy vehicles
- Vehicles designed and used primarily for travel on, over, or in the water
- Historical military vehicles
- Golf carts/cars
- Vehicles designed and used to carry persons with disabilities
- Vehicles designed and used specifically for agricultural, logging, or mining purposes
- Motor vehicles
A completed DR 2395 Title Application (available on the forms page here), plus one of the following “proof of ownership” is required:
- Manufacturer Certificate of Origin (MCO)/Manufacturer Statement of Origin (MSO)
- Certificate of Title
- Current Colorado Parks & Wildlife OHV registration
If none of the above-listed “proof of ownership” is available, the bonding process must be followed as outlined on the DR 2922 Surety Bond Checklist.
The Bonding Process (DR 2922) without the purchase of the surety bond is to be followed only when:
- The OHV was moved to Colorado from a state not issuing certificates of title for off-highway vehicles;
- The OHV is used and held as inventory by a powersports dealer.
- The OHV was owned by an agency of the United States or another state or a political subdivision thereof;
- The OHV was owned by an agricultural producer and used strictly for agricultural purposes;
- The OHV was owned exclusively for the purpose of being operated in an organized competitive or noncompetitive event on publicly or privately owned or leased land; except that this exemption does not apply unless the agency exercising jurisdiction over the land specifically authorizes the organized competitive or noncompetitive event;
- The OHV was used by a dealer, manufacturer, or authorized designee for an OHV operator education or safety program.
If the OHV is 25+ years old, follow the DR 2462 Checklist. Additional information on bonding can be found on the title page here.
All current titling laws, processes, and procedures apply. Dealers have 30 days to deliver title documents to customers. The owner's address of residence is used unless the OHV is permanently maintained at a different address. OHVs may not be issued salvage titles. Dealer purchases/trades from an individual requires an individual to obtain title before selling an OHV to a dealer; obtaining title is optional for private party to private party sales.
Liens may be filed on OHVs at your county motor vehicle office in the same manner as a motor vehicle. Liens are valid for ten years, but may be extended for successive three-year periods. The title will be mailed to the lienholder or kept electronically if they participate in the ELT program.
- Duplicate title: $8.20
- Lien release and transfer of ownership title: $7.20
- Dealer Titles (dealers only): $25
- Dealer titles can be completed by dealers at their county motor vehicle offices or at the state’s Westgate location (3265 S. Wadsworth Blvd #3, Lakewood). You can make an appointment with the Appointment Scheduler here. Select the Westgate location and the “3 dealer title” service (only one allowed per day) or via the drop-off/pick-up option.
For more information, visit the title page here.
Sales Tax is collected by the seller at the time of purchase on most goods sold in the state.
Use Tax is a companion tax that must be paid directly to the CO Department of Revenue by the purchaser if the seller did not collect the applicable CO sales tax.
Visit the Sales & Use Tax page here for more information.
Please see Senate Bills 13-280 and 19-054 and CRS 42-6-102(11.5), 42-6-10217(a)(II) and 42-6-148 for additional information.
Special Mobile Machinery
This includes vehicles like construction equipment (tractors, cranes, etc.) that are not designed for road travel. They have their own SMM registration. For more information on Special Mobile Machinery, click here.
Autonomous Vehicles
Senate Bill 17-213 authorized the use of highly autonomous driving systems in Colorado under certain conditions, which established Colorado as one of the most forward-leaning states in the country. The legislation established the following policy environment to support the continued advancement and deployment of Automated Driving Systems (ADS) in Colorado:
- Levels of automation 0-3 (according to SAE International Standards) are legal under Colorado law with a human driver in the vehicle.
- Defined “Automated Driving System”, or ADS, as Society of Automotive Engineers levels 4-5. Highly autonomous driving systems (Level 4-5), with or without a human driver, are authorized to operate in Colorado if they can meet all applicable state and federal laws.
- If the ADS cannot meet all state and federal laws, the Colorado Department of Transportation and Colorado State Patrol are responsible for approving their operation in the State.
- No state agency or local jurisdiction may set policy or regulations for an ADS that are different from the standards set for a human driver.
Unconventional Vehicles
Vehicles that are not clearly defined in statute and do not have an NHTSA conforming VIN, can go through the Unconventional Motor Vehicle Review process through their county motor vehicle office to see if they are eligible for on-highway title/registration. Owners will need to submit to their county:
- Photocopy of the Federal Certification Label (NADER)
- Vehicle/motorcycle description (specs) sheet
- Buyers' invoice (if available)
- Photos of the vehicle
- Motorcycles 2006 and newer must be EPA certified for highway use
- Certified VIN Inspection