Registration Purposes Only — No Colorado Title Will Be Issued

A suspense application is processed when an applicant moves into Colorado from out-of-state and cannot surrender the title for various reasons, for example the title is being held by a lienholder. No Colorado Certificate of Title is printed. The out-of-state title is the negotiable document.

Applicant shall surrender the current out-of-state registration. The application must be made in the name(s) exactly as shown on the out-of-state registration. If there is any indication that there is a lien, it must be added into DRIVES. 

Registration Requirements C.R.S 42-3-103(4)(a), C.R.S 42-6-140 & C.R.S 42- 1-102(81)

All motor vehicles and trailers owned or operated by a Colorado resident must be registered.

Motor Vehicle Registration must be completed within 90 days after becoming a resident of Colorado. Applicants must complete a DR 2504 Colorado Residency Establishment form when registering their vehicle with a suspense application and provide an acceptable proof document for verification.  

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).

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

A DR 2698 Verification of Vehicle Identification Number is required with the application for a suspense title. It is not required if previous title is listed as MSO/MCO.

Note: Secure and Verifiable ID will be required.

Note: Some states issue registration only for older vehicles (see Applying for Title).

Acceptable Supporting Documents

• An original or copy of out-of-state registration. If the registration is not available, the renewal notice may be accepted.

• A COPY of the out-of-state title. This is acceptable if registration or original title is not available. The words “Copy” must be written or stamped on the document being submitted.

• Computer printout showing current vehicle registration and ownership. Printout must show it was issued by the appropriate State Motor Vehicle Department.

• Accepting ELT documents for SUS/registration purposes. The customer must provide a document from the lender containing the below listed information:

  • • VIN

    • Year

    • Make

    • Owner Name

    • Lienholder name

    • Lienholder address

    • ELT issue date

    • Title number (except CA, they don’t have title numbers)

Unacceptable Supporting Documents

• Cab Card

• Registration of the vehicle is in more than one state. The state in which the vehicle is titled is not known.

• Dual registration is allowed only if there is a title from another state. If that state gives a registration only, we cannot dual register the vehicle.

• Registration is expired more than six months from the acceptance date of application.

• Out of country titles and registrations.

Procedure for Issuing a Title in Suspense

1. Suspense records do not issue a title or a title number, but DRIVES still generates an ownership application for the customer to sign.

• From the New Vehicle activity, in the Identification section of the New Vehicle activity, select Title in Suspense from the Special Ownership

• Type dropdown menu.

2. Select a jurisdiction from the Title Jurisdiction dropdown.

3. Enter Yes in the Register Vehicle field.

4. Continue through the activity as usual. (Reference New Registration for help with other sections.)

5. After submitting the activity, notice that the customer’s ownership account has a Title in Suspense indicator banner across the top.

6. Continue by accepting payment to complete the registration.

Release From Suspense

To issue a title from an existing suspense record, the original out-of-state title must be surrendered to the county motor vehicle office.

• Title number is generated.

• Owner’s name(s) remain the same as the suspense record.

  • • Name(s) can be added or deleted.

• The vehicle description remains the same as the suspense record.

• Any discrepancy in the vehicle description would require a DR 2698 Verification of Vehicle Identification Number, and a new application for title.