Trailers

The State of Colorado titles and registers ALL trailers. Title applications for trailers have the same requirements as application for other vehicles (see Applying for Title).

MSOs for trailers that are not on secure paper are not acceptable with the following two exceptions:

• Trailer MSOs from any person who only manufactures trailers that weigh less than two thousand pounds and does not manufacture any other type of motor vehicle; and/or

• Trailer MSOs from any person, other than a manufacturer operating a dealership (or as a dealer) pursuant to section 12-6-120.5, who is a licensed dealer selling motor vehicles that such person has manufactured.

Beginning with the 1981 model year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Department of Transportation requires manufacturers selling over-the-road vehicles in the United States to produce vehicles with a 17-character fixed format VIN. This applies to passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, buses, trailers, incomplete vehicles and motorcycles.

49 CFR 565 requires manufacturers that sell over the road vehicles to have a 17-digit conforming VIN. This Certified Federal Regulation does not exempt a manufacturer of trailers 2,000 pounds or less from providing a 17-digit conforming VIN.

See CRS 42-3-102(1)(b)(I) in reference to registering trailers less than 2000 lbs for up to 5 years.

Issuance of Trailer Identification Numbers

(Issued by The County Motor Vehicle Office)

Homemade

The owner of a trailer which is self-assembled and does not have an identification number, must apply for a Colorado Trailer Assigned Identification Number to title and register the trailer. The owner must submit the following:

• DR 2697 Certificate of Equipment Compliance for Homemade and In Lieu of Bond Trailers.

• DR 2704 Colorado Certified VIN Inspection.

• Colorado Roadworthy Trailer Checklist completed and signed by a Certified VIN Inspector.

• Certified Weight Slip (as determined by the inspector on the DR 2697).

• DR 2409 Statement of Assembly of Homemade Trailer and Assignment of Trailer I.D. Number.

• The county motor vehicle office may require bills of sale for essential parts.

Identification numbers are to be issued in numerical sequence and will show the letters “IDTL”, followed by the sequential number issued, followed by two characters, unless using the serialized metal ID tags (see samples below). The owner is required to affix the number on the frame of the trailer and complete the DR 2409 Statement of Assembly of Homemade Trailer and Assignment of Trailer I.D. Number.

Make — Homemade (HMDE).

Year — Is the year of application for title.

Sample(s): Trailer identification plate(s) issued by the county motor vehicle offices (for non-motorized vehicles).

Note: Homemade trailers do not have to bond, regardless of weight.

Trailer Vehicle Identification Number Lost or Removed

If a vehicle identification number is lost or removed from a manufactured trailer a DR 2704 Colorado Certified VIN Inspection is required.

• If the manufacturer’s name is still on the trailer.

  • • The county motor vehicle office issues a trailer assigned identification number to the trailer. A DR 2409 Statement of Assembly of Homemade Trailer and Assignment of Trailer I.D. Number must be completed.

    • The make and year remain the same.

• If the manufacturer’s name does not appear on the trailer’.

  • • The county motor vehicle office issues a trailer assigned identification number to the trailer. A DR 2409 Statement of Assembly of Homemade Trailer and Assignment of Trailer I.D. Number must be completed.

    • The make will be shown as homemade (HMDE) on the new application (see homemade trailers in this section.)

One of the following procedures are required:

• If the trailer meets the requirements in the procedure for trailers 2000 Pounds or less, the “In Lieu of Bonding” procedure should be followed (see In Lieu of Bonding for trailers 2000 Pounds or less.)

• If the trailer does not meet the requirements of the procedure as defined above, a bond is required (see Bonds).

If a vehicle identification number is lost or removed from a manufactured home:

• A DR 2698 Verification of Vehicle Identification Number is required to verify there is no identification number. DR 2698 must indicate the make and year.

  • • The county motor vehicle office issues a manufactured home assigned identification number to the manufactured home. A DR 2503 Assignment of Manufactured Home I.D. number must be completed.

    • The make and year remain the same.

    • Follow bond requirements (see Bonds).

Note: Homemade trailers do not require bond regardless of weight.

Kit Trailers

A kit type trailer that was purchased either assembled or unassembled from a retail sales business, which is not a licensed Colorado Motor Vehicle Dealer will be titled as a kit trailer. Although the manufacturer may have included an identification number, a trailer assigned identification number is required for all kit trailers.

The applicant surrenders:

• The MSO, which must indicate kit.

• Invoices, written bill of sale, or a cash register receipt related to the purchase.

• DR 2697 Certificate of Equipment Compliance for Homemade and In Lieu of Bond Trailer.

• DR 2704 Colorado Certified VIN Inspection.

• Colorado Roadworthy Trailer Checklist completed and signed by a Certified VIN Inspector.

• Certified Weight Slip (as determined by the inspector on the DR 2697).

• A DR 2409 Statement of Assembly of Homemade Trailer and Assignment of Trailer I.D. Number

  • • The make will be “HMDE” and the year will be the year of application.

Procedure to be used in lieu of Bonding for Trailers 2000 Lbs Or less without proper ownership documents

This procedure includes all steps for bonding (see Bonds), but no surety bond is required. For the titling of utility trailers, boat trailers, etc. that are 2000 lbs., or less, which are unable to comply with the standard procedure for titling of small trailers the following steps must be completed:

• DR 2697 Certificate of Equipment Compliance for Homemade and In Lieu of Bond Trailers.

• Colorado Roadworthy Trailer Checklist completed and signed by a Certified VIN Inspector.

• Certified Weight Slip (as determined by the inspector on the DR 2697).

• DR 2704 Colorado Certified VIN Inspection.

• A DR 2489A Motor Vehicle Requestor Release Affidavit of Intended Use form. A record search is required in Colorado.

When the trailer is coming from another state, a search is also required from that state in addition to the Colorado search. This is to verify any owner of record and the existence of liens on the trailer. If the search indicates an owner and a lienholder, each must be notified. If the search indicates “No Record Found”, continue with the remaining steps.

• DR 2444 Statement of Fact from the applicant should include the following information:

• Why there is no title for the trailer or what is wrong with the title.

• What attempts have been made to contact the owner of record to ensure they have no interest in the trailer.

• From whom the trailer was purchased, when it was purchased, and the amount paid.

• Description of the trailer by year, make, and VIN.

• Whether or not there are no liens against the trailer.

• Whether or not the trailer is roadworthy.

Note: A search that is over one year old will not be accepted.

Note: A VIN verification that is over one year old will not be accepted.

Trailers from Non-Title States

Small trailers that come into Colorado from states that do not title trailers but require only registration of trailers must follow this procedure. First, it must be determined by verifying from reference books (R.L. Polk, NADA or Peck’s) that the specific state does not title trailers but only requires registration of small trailers.

Documents required for titling:

• Current registration (original required).

• If the registration is transferred to a new owner, the assignment on the registration must be completed, or a bill of sale is acceptable if there is no assignment area. Application acceptance date must be prior to expiration of the registration. No grace period.

• DR 2697 Certificate of Equipment Compliance for Homemade and In Lieu of Bond Trailers (If applicable)

  • • Completed Colorado Roadworthy Trailer Checklist completed and signed by a Certified VIN Inspector.

• Certified Weight Slip (as determined by the inspector on the DR 2697).

• A DR 2704 Colorado Certified VIN Inspection.

• If a trailer title is available from a non-titling state, the code should be the state code.

Note: If the applicant has an expired registration for the trailer in their name, a written DR 2444 Statement of Fact along with the expired registration is acceptable for the applicant to apply for a title in their name. Name(s) must remain the same as on the registration. The DR 2444 Statement of Fact must state the trailer has not been registered or titled in any other state since the expiration. Transfer not acceptable on expired registration.

Trailers from States that do not Title and do not Register Trailers

Before beginning with this procedure, you must determine by verifying from the reference books (R. L. Polk, N.A.D.A. or Peck’s) that the specific state does not title or register small trailers.

When a trailer is brought into Colorado from a state that does not title or register small trailers, the following documents for titling are required:

• DR 2697 Certificate of Equipment Compliance for Homemade and In Lieu of Bond Trailers

  • • Completed Colorado Roadworthy Trailer Checklist completed and signed by a Certified VIN Inspector.

• Certified Weight Slip (as determined by the inspector on the DR 2697).

• A DR 2704 Colorado Certified VIN Inspection.

• DR 2374 Statement of Trailer Ownership completed and signed by the applicant.

Trailer Coaches

Trailer Coach: Equipped as living quarters, having an overall length of 26’ long, excluding towing gear and bumpers. C.R.S. 42-1-102(106) (a) Must show (WIDTH) X (LENGTH) on the system.

The manufacturer’s name must be shown as the Make on the Colorado title and the Model must show what the Make field reads on the MSO. Example: The MSO shows Fleetwood Prowler. On the Colorado title, Fleetwood is the Make and Prowler is the Model.

Multipurpose Trailers

Multipurpose Trailers: Designed to carry cargo and provide temporary living or sleeping accommodations for passengers, Example: race car carriers with temporary living or sleeping accommodations similar to camping trailers and trailer coaches. The new vehicle body style abbreviation will be MP for multipurpose trailer.

Note: For Manufactured Home requirements (see Manufactured Homes).

Office Trailers/Classrooms

Applications for office trailers will be processed as regular titles. We do not issue a manufactured home title, because these trailers are not used for occupancy by persons for residential purposes. C.R.S. 42-1-102(106) (b). Must show weight on the system. SMM ownership decal, (Z-tabs) will be issued (see SMM).

Trailer Titling and/or Registration Requirements by State

(For SMM Trailers, see the Special Mobile Machinery (SMM) page)