Registering and titling a vehicle in Colorado: new residents, purchases and renewals

How to title and register a vehicle at your Colorado county office after buying it or moving from another state, plus renewal options, emissions and insurance rules, and license plates, from the Colorado DMV.

Guide · Colorado · Vehicle registration · Titles · updated October 29, 2026

In Colorado, vehicle titles and registrations are handled by county motor vehicle offices, run by each county's elected clerk and recorder, under rules set by the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) of the Colorado Department of Revenue. The DMV runs the myDMV online services, and self-service kiosks handle simple renewals. This guide covers where to go, what to do after buying a vehicle or moving to Colorado, how to renew, and what to know about emissions, insurance and plates.

Where to go

The DMV says all regular personal vehicle registrations are handled by the clerk and recorder's office in the county where you live. Business vehicles are registered where the business is located. Unless you use an online service or a kiosk, you must go to your own county's office. Other counties, the state driver license offices and the State DMV Vehicle Services office cannot do these transactions.

Counties set their own hours and their local taxes and fees, so costs vary. County appointments cannot be booked on the state appointment site; contact your county office directly. The DMV says some county offices accept walk-ins. Some vehicle services can be booked by appointment at the State DMV Westgate office.

Buying from a private seller

The DMV says buyer and seller share responsibility for the transfer. As the buyer, you must title and register the vehicle within 60 days. After that, the DMV lists late fees of $25 for each month or part of a month, up to $100. Take these to your county office:

• The title, signed by the seller, with the odometer reading and sale price
• A bill of sale. The DMV says this is required if the sale price is not on the title; Form DR 2173 is the Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale
• Secure and verifiable ID (the accepted types are listed on Form DR 2841)
• Proof of Colorado-compliant insurance, which you must have before driving the vehicle
• An emissions certificate, if you live in an emissions area and the vehicle needs testing (see below)

You pay sales tax at the county office and get temporary or permanent plates there. The DMV's title page lists a $7.20 title fee and a $40 lien filing fee when a lien is added; other fees and taxes depend on your county. You may drive the vehicle without plates or a temporary permit for up to 36 hours, but only if you bought it in a private sale on a weekend, a holiday or when your county office is closed, and only from the seller's location to where you will store it or to a registration office. Carry the signed bill of sale. If you cannot title and register the vehicle right away, you need a temporary permit to drive it.

As the seller, sign the title and record the odometer reading and price. Remove your plates, because in Colorado they belong to the owner, not the vehicle. Report the sale within 5 days with a Release of Liability, online through myDMV or at a county office.

Buying from a dealer

The DMV's buying page points dealer buyers to its registration information. Colorado dealers can issue temporary permits. The DMV says a dealer must provide a passing emissions test, or a voucher for one test, at the time of sale. If your plates are registered through the dealer and are slow to arrive, you can ask the dealer or your county for a temporary permit.

Moving to Colorado with a vehicle

The DMV says new residents must title and register their vehicle within 90 days of becoming a resident. The DMV counts you as a resident if you own or operate a business in Colorado or have lived there for 90 consecutive days. Your driver license has a shorter deadline, covered in the Colorado driver license guide. Gather:

1. Your out-of-state title. If a lienholder holds it, bring your recent registration (current or expired less than 6 months) and the lienholder's name and address.
2. Proof of Colorado insurance meeting the state minimums. The DMV lists $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $15,000 for property damage.
3. Approved ID, as listed on Form DR 2841.
4. Form DR 2504 (Colorado Residency Establishment) and a proof of residency, such as a utility bill, lease or mortgage statement.
5. A VIN verification on Form DR 2698, unless the vehicle is new with a manufacturer's statement of origin.
6. An emissions test, if the vehicle needs one and you live in an emissions county.

At the county office you fill in Form DR 2395 (Application for Title and/or Registration) and pay the title, registration and tax amounts. Standard green and white plates are issued the same day. Turn in your old plates at the county office or to your former state. If there is no lien, your Colorado title is mailed to you.

Renewing your registration

Registration must be renewed every year. The DMV lists four ways:

• Online through myDMV
• At a kiosk (MV Express) in participating counties, often in grocery stores
• By mail to your county clerk and recorder
• In person at your county office

You need current Colorado insurance and, where it applies, a passed emissions test. The DMV gives a one-month grace period after expiration. After that, the late fee is $25 for each month or part of a month ($10 for trailers), up to $100. If your registration expired more than 13 months ago, you must renew at your county office. Fees depend on your county, the vehicle's age, weight and taxable value, and your plate type. The DMV offers an online fee estimator.

Emissions testing

The DMV says the emissions program covers most vehicles in the Denver metro area and the North Front Range. Its registration page names Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas and Jefferson counties and parts of Adams, Arapahoe, Larimer and Weld counties. Gasoline vehicles are exempt for their first seven model years and are then tested every two years. Diesel vehicles are exempt for their first four model years. All-electric vehicles, motorcycles and some other types are exempt. If you have an out-of-state testing extension, the vehicle must also be tested within 15 days of returning to Colorado.

License plates

Personalized plates can be ordered online or at a county office. The DMV lists a one-time $60 personalization fee and $25 more at each renewal. Plates ordered online or through a county are generally printed and mailed 3 business days after payment, and delivery by USPS can take 2 to 6 weeks. You can order replacement plates through myDMV. For lost, stolen or damaged plates, the DMV points to affidavit Form DR2283, which you take to your county office.

For driver license visits and documents, see the Colorado DMV visit guide.