Stage 1 Fire Restrictions, effective Aug. 12, 2025, for unincorporated western Boulder County.

Visit the Boulder County Ballot Measures website for information about possible 2025 ballot measures.

Motor Vehicle Fraud Prevention

Boulder County Motor Vehicle offices are open Monday – Thursday, 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Closed Fridays. Appointments are required for in-person services. Registration renewals need to be completed online, by mail or drop box, or at a self-service kiosk and are not an in-person service.

Colorado Department of Revenue DMV warns of impersonating scam messages!
The Colorado DMV does not send unsolicited texts demanding payment or requesting personal information. Read more about the scams on the Colorado DMV website.

Motor Vehicle Fraud Prevention

Motor vehicle fraud is becoming increasingly common and takes many different forms. As scammers become more sophisticated, it becomes more difficult to avoid falling victim to a scam. We want to help you become a savvy consumer and hopefully protect yourself and protect some of your biggest assets: your vehicles.

Here are some of the most common types of motor vehicle fraud we see, how to look out for these types of fraud, and what to do if you think you might be a fraud victim.

Title Fraud

Title fraud occurs when someone changes a title or vehicle to misrepresent or obscure facts about the car or who owns it. They might change the mileage on a title, change the VIN to a different number that what was originally purchased on the title, or changed the branding of a title (e.g. removing a salvage branding). Purchasing a vehicle from an individual can mean you get a good deal, but you should take extra steps to make sure the deal isn’t too good to be true.

Avoiding Title Fraud

  1. Perform a VINCheck look up – This free service from the National Insurance Crime Bureau will check the vehicle identification number (VIN) to determine if a vehicle has been stolen or has been branded as a salvage vehicle.
  2. Purchase a Vehicle History Report – This report from the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) will provides information including the current state of a title, last title date, salvage and total loss history, odometer reading, and brand history.
  3. Make sure the VIN on the title matches the VIN on the vehicle – Look in multiple places. The VIN can usually be found stamped into a plate mounted on the driver’s side of the dashboard near the corner where the windshield and dash meet, on the driver-side door jamb, or stamped on the engine.
  4. Trust your instincts – If a used vehicle deal sounds too good to be true, don’t be afraid to walk away.

What to do if You are a Victim of Title Fraud

  • Contact Colorado’s Motor Vehicle Investigation Unit to determine if your case meets the requirements for an investigation by calling 303-205-2983 or emailing dor_investigationsunit@state.co.us.
  • Schedule an appointment with CO State Patrol to begin the Bond for Title process.

Odometer Fraud

Odometer fraud is the disconnection, resetting, or alteration of a vehicle’s odometer with the intent to change the number of miles indicated. NHTSA estimates that more than 450,000 vehicles are sold each year with false odometer readings.

Avoiding Odometer Fraud

  • Carefully examine the mileage notation on the title – If the mileage notation seems obscured or is not easy to read, it could have been erased or altered, which means the title is no longer valid and will not be accepted by Motor Vehicle.
  • Compare the mileage on the title with the vehicle’s odometer – Compare the mileage on the odometer with mileage from maintenance or inspection records. Search for oil change and maintenance stickers on windows or door frames, in the glove box, or under the hood. Look for discrepancies that might raise red flags.
  • Request a vehicle history report to check for odometer discrepancies – If the seller does not have a vehicle history report, use the VIN to order a vehicle history report online.

If it seems unusual, ask questions!

What to do if You are a Victim of Title Fraud

  • Contact local law enforcement
  • Contact the Colorado Department of Revenue’s Auto Industry Division at 303-866-2532
  • Bring the seller to Small Claims Court
  • Call NHTSA’s Safety Hotline: (888) 327-4236

Motor Vehicle Division

DMV Scam Texts

Our office and the Colorado Department of Revenue DMV have seen an uptick in the number of scam texts being reported by members of the public. The Colorado DMV does not send unsolicited texts demanding payment or requesting personal information. Read more about the scams on the Colorado DMV website.

Fraudulent Dealership Websites

Recent reports from Kansas and Iowa have revealed instances of fraud where customers seeking to purchase vehicles online fall victim to fake dealership websites. These fraudulent sites either mimic legitimate dealerships or operate exclusively online, luring buyers with deals that appear too good to be true. In one case, a buyer discovered a “great deal” on a vehicle, wired money to the so-called and travelled to another state to pick up the vehicle, only to discover they had been scammed.

Avoiding Fraudulent Dealerships

  • Verify a dealer license through the state’s Motor Vehicle licensing board
  • Complete internet searches for duplicated sites and ensure you are accessing the real one

Fraudulent Emissions Testing and Emissions Tampering

Emissions fraud can include using an override device to beat an emissions test or falsifying an emissions certificate. A new emissions inspection is required when a vehicle that is 7 years old or older changes ownership. If you are buying a vehicle that requires emissions testing, an unused passing emissions certificate is required to register the vehicle.

One way to protect yourself against fraudulent emissions tests is to check the emissions test history of a vehicle online. If you received a test from a fraudulent emissions service report it to your local motor vehicle office.

Tampering with emissions systems is prohibited by state and federal law. The emissions tampering laws apply to all vehicles, even those registered in an area that does not require emissions inspections. A trusted mechanic can inspect used vehicles for damage and check the emissions control system.

Avoiding Stolen Vehicle Documents

You should never store your title in the vehicle. Keep it with other important documents in your house or another safe location.

What to do if your title or license plates are stolen

  • File a police report with law enforcement
  • Immediately schedule an appointment with our office to request replacement license plates
  • Replacements for stolen titles, registration, stickers, or disability placards can be requested online

Contact Us

Motor Vehicle Division

7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Monday - Thursday
Closed Fridays

Motor Vehicle Homepage
Contact Us Form
Contáctenos - Formulario en línea

Phone: 303-413-7710
Fax: 303-413-7706

Office / 24-Hour Drop Box Locations

If submitting paperwork via drop box, please place documents in a folder or envelope marked “Motor Vehicle” and include your contact information.

1750 33rd St., Boulder
24-Hour Drop Box: Stand-alone box outside doors on parking lot side (Directions)

1755 S. Public Road, Lafayette
24-Hour Drop Box: Slot on exterior wall to the right of the main doors (Directions)

529 Coffman St., Longmont
24-Hour Drop Box: Stand-alone box outside entrance doors (Directions)

Mailing Address

1750 33rd St., Suite 100
Boulder, CO 80301

Connect With Us