New Colorado residents are required to register a vehicle within 90 days of establishing residency. Vehicles must be registered in the county where you reside. If vehicles are not registered within 90 days of establishing residency, late fees accumulate at $25 per month up to $100.
Once you have gathered all of the items on the checklist below, you will need to make an appointment at one of our offices.
Definition of Colorado Resident
- Any person who owns or operates any business in the State of Colorado
- Any person who has resided within the State of Colorado continuously for 90 days
- Any person who has obtained gainful employment within the State of Colorado
Registration Checklist
Provide the following to register a vehicle with an out-of-state title (you can also download this checklist):
- Secure and Verifiable ID
- Out-of-state title or current registration:
- A copy of the title is acceptable if held by a lien holder
- Out-of-state registrations less than six months expired are accepted
- Proof of Insurance
- Proof of Residency
- Can be a Colorado ID, student ID, paystub, copy of lease or utility bill.
- If you do not have any of these, give us a call at 303-413-7710 and we can talk through your options.
- Verification of Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- Security agreement if the lender requires you to file the lien
- Certified weight slip, if required
- Proof of emissions test, if required
Estimated Fees
- Registration fees and ownership taxes are assessed beginning the day the vehicle moves into the State (C.R.S 42-3-103.C). As an example, if the vehicle comes into Colorado on July 1 and you come into our office for an appointment on September 1, you will be charged registration and ownership tax based on the July 1 date.
- Registration fees cannot be estimated over the phone or by email. You can estimate your fees online.
License Plate Information
Colorado issues license plates for a 12-month period. Renew your registration during either the:
- One month prior to expiration month, or
- Month indicated on the registration, or
- Following month, known as the one month grace period
Late Fees
Colorado law requires new residents to pay late fees if they fail to register their vehicle within 90 days of the residency date. Late fees are assessed at $25/month and not to exceed $100. Temporary permits are not subject to a one-month grace period (C.R.S. 42-3-112, 42-3-114).