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Purchasing a Vehicle

Purchasing from a Dealer

Secure and Verifiable Identification is required on all New Titles, Duplicate Titles, New Registrations, New Temporary Registration Permits and New Placards. The identification must be provided by the owner of record or a power of attorney presented by the agent. The agent must have Secure and Verifiable Identification to complete the transaction. Commercially owned or lien holder transactions require a letter of authorization.

If you are purchasing a new or used vehicle from a Colorado dealer, the dealer will provide the sales tax receipts, title or manufacturer's statement of origin, and an application for Colorado title DR2411. Please bring in all paperwork received from the dealer, proof of insurance, and emissions if required. See Insurance Requirements.

EMISSIONS TESTS are required on diesel vehicles. Effective January 1, 2007, gasoline vehicles are no longer required to have a basic emissions test to be used in Larimer, Weld, or El Paso counties. Effective July 1, 2010, Larimer County residents will be required to obtain a certificate of emissions control for all vehicles within a designated area of Larimer County. If the vehicle is used over 90 days a year in the Enhanced areas, (Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, and Jefferson county) an Enhanced emissions test is required. Please see the Air Care Colorado website at www.aircarecolorado.com for information.

The Colorado title should be presented to the County Clerk of the county in which you reside for transfer to your name within thirty days of purchase. With the passage of new legislation, a late fee of $25 per month up to $100 is required on expired registrations and new purchases not registered after 60 days of purchase date or currently registered with a current temporary permit.

Purchasing from a Private Party

Colorado is a title issuing state; therefore, a title is required to transfer ownership on all motor vehicles, including trailers.

When a vehicle is purchased from a private party who has a Colorado title the following is required from the seller:

The title which has been properly signed by all selling parties with notarization of the signatures; (see example of signatures below) if required. New Colorado titles do not require notary. Older titles may require a notary; however, a statement of transfer (DR 2445) will be accepted in lieu of notarization. If a selling party's name has been signed off by a power of attorney, that document is also required.
A bill of sale to verify purchase price. (The bill of sale must either be notarized or contain the perjury statement.)
EMISSIONS TESTS are required on diesel vehicles over 2 years old. Effective January 1, 2007, gasoline vehicles are no longer required to have a basic emissions test to be used in Larimer, Weld, or El Paso counties. Effective July 1, 2020, Larimer county residents will be required to obtain a certificate of emissions control for all vehicles within a designated area of Larimer County. If the vehicle is used over 90 days a year in the Enhanced areas, (Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, and Jefferson county) an Enhanced emissions test is required. Please see the Air Care Colorado website at www.aircarecolorado.com for information.
If the vehicle is less than 10 years old and weighs 10,000lbs or less, an odometer reading must be completed on the title or on a separate form available in our office.
Collection of sales tax is a prerequisite to titling and is based on the purchase price of the vehicle. A bill of sale is required and it must either be notarized or include a perjury clause. See Sales Tax Information.
Vehicle Identification Verification is required on out of state title transfers. Form DR 2407 must be completed by a Colorado Dealer, Emission Station, or Law Enforcement Officer.
To receive a temporary permit or registration, please bring in all paperwork listed above with proof of insurance and emissions if required. See Insurance Requirements.

Financed Vehicles

Effective July 1, 2006, Secure and Verifiable Identification is required on all New Titles, Duplicate Titles, New Registrations, New Temporary Registration Permits and New Placards. The identification must be provided by the owner of record or a power of attorney presented by the agent. The agent must have Secure and Verifiable Identification to complete the transaction. Commercially owned or lien holder transactions require a letter of authorization.

If you have purchased a vehicle and it is being financed by a dealer, financial institution, or the seller please verify where the paperwork is being sent or refer to Filing a Lien for further information. If the documents are being sent to our department, we will notify you via post card when the paperwork has been received you may come down to finalize your transaction.

Please bring in the post card, proof of emission if you are located within the emission area (or commute 90 days out of the year), proof of insurance, and plates and current registration from a previously owned vehicle to apply any credit that may be transferable. Proof of insurance is required before our office can register any passenger car, motor home, bus or motorcycle. See Insurance Requirements.

EMISSIONS TESTS are required on diesel vehicles over 2 years old. Effective January 1, 2007, gasoline vehicles are no longer required to have a basic emissions test to be used in Larimer, Weld, or El Paso counties. If the vehicle is used over 90 days a year in the Enhanced areas, (Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, and Jefferson county) an Enhanced emissions test is required. Please see the Air Care Colorado website at www.aircarecolorado.com for information.

There will be a fee collected at that time to register your vehicle for next year.

Weight tickets are required on all pickups, vans, and trucks if the vehicle weighs between 4500 and 6500 pounds. This applies to vehicles registered in Colorado for the first time or vehicles that have had a change in the body style.

Purchasing From An Owner With Out Of State Title

To title and register a vehicle purchased from someone who has an out of state title, the following is required:

If you have purchased a vehicle from a previous owner that has an out of state title, bring it with you to our office and we will issue a Colorado title. If the title become lost or destroyed, the seller will need to contact the state in which is was issued in order to replace the title. Some states issue a document that is the title and registration combined. This document is acceptable if it is submitted to our office BEFORE the expiration date.
An odometer disclosure statement is required on the title or a separate odometer disclosure will be required. Please contact our office at (970)498-7878 to speak with a technician if a separate form is required.
Collection of sales tax is a prerequisite to titling and is based on the purchase price of the vehicle. A bill of sale is required and it must either be notarized or include a perjury clause. See Sales Tax Information.
EMISSIONS TESTS are required on diesel vehicles over 2 years old. Effective January 1, 2007, gasoline vehicles are no longer required to have a basic emissions test to be used in Larimer, Weld, or El Paso counties. If the vehicle is used over 90 days a year in the Enhanced areas, (Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, and Jefferson county) an Enhanced emissions test is required. Please see the Air Care Colorado website at www.aircarecolorado.com for information.
In addition to the title, the state requires a verification of the serial number on the vehicle, to match the number on the title or registration. This inspection can be made by a licensed dealer, a licensed inspection station or a law enforcement officer. The inspection is annotated on form DR 2395 - Verification of Vehicle Identification . This form is also available at all motor vehicle locations and emission stations. If the vehicle comes from a non-title state, your vehicle may require a certified vehicle identification number inspection or other documents. This procedure may require you to speak with one of our technicians for complete details. Please call our office at (970)498-7878 to speak with a technician.
Weight slips will be required on all motor homes and trucks with an empty weight or more than 4500 pounds. (If the weight is not displayed on the out-of-state title or registration.)
Proof of insurance is required before our office can register any passenger car, motor home, bus, or motorcycle. See Insurance Requirements.