Vehicle Registration Requirements

The following information is important when registering your vehicle in Colorado, including fees, insurance, identification and proof of residency. If you are renewing a vehicle registration, refer to this page. Please also refer to the tabs on the Motor Vehicle main page “Individual & Dealer” and “Titles” for additional information.

Taxes & Fees

The county provides information about the basic guidelines regarding the collection of sales and use tax, ownership tax, and license fees. You can view that information here. The State Department of Motor Vehicles website also provides comprehensive information on taxes and fees, along with a Registration Fees fact sheet. When registering your vehicle in Colorado, you will have to pay certain fees and taxes. It is recommended to use the state’s calculator to estimate these costs.

Registration Fee Calculator

Late Fees

Late fees may apply when a registration renewal is not completed within the designated time period. Visit the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles website for more information.

Motor Vehicles
Registration of a newly purchased vehicle is due within 60 days of purchase. Late fees will be applicable if the vehicle is not registered 61 days after purchase. Late fees are $25 per month, with the total amount not exceeding $100 (four months). Renewal of your motor vehicle registration is due in the month of expiration. A grace period of one month after the expiration is allowed. This grace period does not apply to temporary permits. A late fee will be imposed on a registration renewal transacted after the one-month grace period. The late fee is $25.00 per month, with the total amount not exceeding $100 (four months).

Non-Motive Power Vehicles
Included in this category are trailers, camper trailers, multipurpose trailers, trailer coaches and special mobile machinery, that weigh up to 16,000 pounds and are taxable. For any type of trailer, this is the empty weight.

The late fee on non-motive power vehicles is $10 total, effective July 1, 2010. When there are late fees accrued prior to that date, those fees are added to the late fees incurred after July 1, 2010. These late fees, however, may not exceed the limit of $100 total. Late fees on commercial vehicle trailers and farm vehicle trailers could be reduced or waived if these trailers have been idled for a full registration period.

Insurance

When registering a vehicle for the first time or renewing the registration on a vehicle, you must provide proof that the vehicle is covered by Colorado insurance. All motor vehicle types must have insurance to be driven on Colorado highways.

Documents used for proof of Colorado insurance must reference Colorado coverage on the document provided and may include:

  1. Current insurance card
  2. Copy of policy
  3. Letter on insurance company letterhead
  4. Faxed copy of the insurance card, binder or policy
  5. E-mail sent from the insurer
  6. Any of the above visible on your smartphone in the office at the time of registration

Types of insurance policies that are acceptable are:

  1. Vehicle specific insurance that would list the year, make, VIN and indicated coverage dates
  2. Commercial or Fleet insurance which covers all vehicles and drivers, listing the commercial entity and coverage dates
  3. Self insurance for the owner of 25 or more vehicles, that is issued by the State Commissioner
  4. Blanket or Operator insurance which covers a driver of any vehicle they operate
  5. Broad Form insurance or Owner insurance that covers all vehicles owned by a person or business. The policy is not specific to a vehicle; however, it must include one of the vehicle owner’s name/business name.

Colorado residents with a vehicle which is not operational, or is not in use for an extended period of time, should complete form DR2303, Non-Use of Vehicle. Submit the document with the registration request. The “non-use” status would remain in effect for one renewal cycle or upon re-insuring the vehicle.

Colorado residents who are temporarily out of state should complete form MV056 Out of State Insurance Affidavit. Submit the document with the registration request. The MV056 form is ONLY available through El Paso County and cannot be accessed through the State website. The status would remain in effect for one renewal cycle or upon returning to Colorado.

For more information regarding Colorado insurance requirements, please visit the Colorado Department of Revenue.

Identification

All new and duplicate title applications are required to include a SECURE AND VERIFIABLE IDENTIFICATION to complete the transaction. Secure and Verifiable Identification is required for new registrations, placards, and temporary permit transactions.

Please click this link for acceptable identification documents for a Certificate of Title and/or Registration application.

Also, refer to the State Division of Motor Vehicles Frequently Asked Questions for additional information on Secure and Verifiable Identification.

Proof of Residency

Residency is established when one of the following occur (whichever shall occur first):

  • Any person who owns or operates any business in this state.
  • Any person who has resided within this state continuously for a period of ninety days.
  • Any person who has obtained gainful employment within this state.

Within ninety days after becoming a resident of Colorado, an owner of a motor vehicle shall register such vehicle with the department, irrespective of the vehicle being registered with another state or country. Please bring this filled out form to establish Colorado residency.