Registration Requirements 

C.R.S 42-1-102(81), C.R.S 42-3-103 & 42-6-140

• All vehicles owned or operated by a Colorado resident must be registered.

• A named owner’s secure and verifiable identification information is required to be presented for all new registration transactions. (See SVID Section for acceptable identification)

• A named owner will provide a non-secure power of attorney to their agent to include the grantor’s (named owner’s) secure and verifiable identification information. The agents secure and verifiable identification information is required to be presented for all new registration transactions to someone other than a named owner (see SVID Section for acceptable identification).

• Colorado residency is established when one of the following criteria is met:

  • Own or operate a business in Colorado.

  • Reside in Colorado continuously for 90 days.

  • Obtain employment in Colorado.

• Motor vehicle registration must be completed within 60 days after purchase of a vehicle.

• Vehicles must be physically located in Colorado to register the vehicle (see Applying for Title, Exceptions). A Colorado address is mandatory as the legal address. A Post Office Box is not acceptable as a legal address, but may be used for the mailing address.

• A Colorado based business, with branch offices in other states, may not title and register the business vehicles in Colorado unless the vehicles are physically located in this state.

• A Letter of Authorization or a Corporate Resolution to Borrow/Grant Collateral Letter granting permission for the agent to act on behalf of the company and the agent’s secure and verifiable identification information are required for any business to complete a new registration transaction (see Secure and Verifiable Identification).

• All applications for vehicle registrations must be made at the County Motor Vehicle Office in the county of residence. Criteria used to establish residency in the county is: C.R.S 42-6-139.

• Primary place of residence; used when registering a personal vehicle; utilizes the same laws and regulations that apply to voter registration.

• Business address; used when registering a business vehicle that is in the business name and where the vehicle is primarily operated and maintained.

• When the place of residence or business address does not apply, the address where the vehicle is primarily domiciled and maintained may be used.

• Proof of Emissions where applicable.

• Proof of Insurance.

• The primary color of the vehicle is required on all new or renewal vehicle registrations. Any change in the vehicle color requires written notification to the County Motor Vehicle office within 30 days of the change in color. Car color may be bypassed on Mobile Homes, SMM, Dealer plates, and Trailers. Following are the standard colors and corresponding abbreviations:

Registration Information

• C.R.S 42-3-115(2)(b) allows a vehicle buyer to operate the vehicle prior to registering the vehicle if it was purchased within the last 36 hours  from a person who is not a motor vehicle dealer, purchased either on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, or between 5:00 P.M. and 8:00 A.M. or the vehicle is being driven from the place of purchase to the place where it will be stored until it is registered. The buyer must possess a bill of sale that shows the time and date of the sale, is signed by the buyer and the seller, and possess proof of insurance.

• All vehicles are registered for a 12-month period and have a one-month grace period from the date of expiration to renew.

• C.R.S 42-3-114 Every vehicle registration under this article shall expire on the last day of the month at the end of each twelve-month registration period and shall be renewed, upon application by the owner, the payment of the fees required by law, and in accordance with section 42-3-113 (3), not later than the last day of the month following the date of expiration. No license plates other than those of the registration period to which they pertain shall be displayed on a motor vehicle operated on the highways of Colorado.

• When renewed within the grace period, the vehicle will retain the original month of expiration.

• Registration renewals do not require secure and verifiable identification information. The presentation of identification is recommended, secure and verifiable identification is preferred.

  • Vehicles renewed past the one-month grace period  do not get placed into a new cycle and will remain in their current cycle, unless 12 months expired, then they will be processed as a new registration.

• Prior Specific Ownership Tax will be collected from the month following the month of expiration through the month of application for renewal.

• Colorado Motor Vehicle law allows for a penalty to be assessed if a vehicle is not registered at the time required by law (see C.R.S. 42-3-112 Failure to Pay-Tax-Penalty-Rules).

Registration Exceptions 

 Registration Is Not Required On: C.R.S 42-3-103 & 42-3-104

• Vehicles owned or leased by the Federal Government or any agency thereof.

• Fire fighting vehicles.

• Police ambulances and patrol wagons (government owned).

• Farm tractors and implements of husbandry designed primarily for use and used in agriculture operations

• Special Mobile Machinery (SMM) used solely on property owned or leased by the owner of such machinery and equipment and not operated on the public highways of the state, if the owner lists all of the machinery or equipment for assessment and taxation through the County Assessor.

• Colorado has reciprocity with all states regarding the validity of out-of- state plates for students. The out-of-state registration must be kept valid. Students may obtain part-time or full-time employment in Colorado as long as the primary purpose to be in this state is to further his/her education. An out-of-state student is one who does not claim Colorado as their state of residence and is residing temporarily in Colorado for the primary purpose of attending a college, university or other accredited school or educational institution or training in a hospital.

• Non-residents employed in Colorado and who use their personal vehicle to commute daily from their home state to their place of employment in Colorado, may retain valid out-of-state plates when the same privileges are extended to Colorado residents working in the same border state.

  • Reciprocity agreements have been signed with the following states: Kansas, Utah, Nebraska, Wyoming and New Mexico

• Off Road/All-Terrain Vehicles-

  • Vehicles which are designed and manufactured as all-terrain, are intended for OFF ROAD USE ONLY! These vehicles will not be registered as motor vehicles, issued license plates or registrations.

  • Examples of all-terrain vehicles:

Registration for these type vehicles can be obtained from:

Colorado State Parks and Wildlife - Registration Unit 

13787 S Highway 85

Littleton CO 80125

(303) 791-1920

• Toy Vehicles

  • 42-1-102-(103.5) (a) “Toy vehicle” means any vehicle that has wheels and is not designed for use on public highways or for off-road use. (b) “Toy vehicle” includes, but is not limited to, gas-powered or electric-powered vehicles commonly known as mini bikes, “pocket” bikes, kamikaze boards, go-peds, and stand-up scooters. (c) “Toy vehicle” does not include off-highway vehicles or snowmobiles.

  • Examples of Toy vehicles:

• Tow Dollies and converter gears are not required to be registered in Colorado.

• Boats

  • Boat Registration can be obtained from:

Colorado State Parks and Wildlife - Registration Unit

13787 S Highway 85 

Littleton CO 80125  

(303) 791-1920