Colorado
Vehicle Resource Center
Known for its beautiful desert and mountain landscapes and stunning natural experiences, Colorado is a state to be explored. Residents understand the best way to explore the state is by vehicle, but owning and using vehicles comes with costs and responsibilities. Each owner must understand annual maintenance requirements, common paperwork, and the legal challenges that come with owning a vehicle in Colorado.
Ownership and Maintenance
As a vehicle owner in Colorado or a regular driver, it's essential to maintain the proper paperwork to remain legal. This is easy to do when you know what to do, but without a guide, things can be tricky. This hub explains common renewal requirements and gives details on the important paperwork that must be updated regularly.
While Colorado does not require its residents to have their vehicles inspected for safety, they must be inspected for emissions at least every two years.
The state demands that any vehicle that's older than seven years get an inspection every two years or sooner. The duration vehicles can go without emissions testing depends on how old they are. Vehicles newer than 1982 require an emissions check every other year, while anything older than 1982 must be tested annually.
Drivers can determine when they need an emissions check by looking at their registration renewal reminder. The reminder will state that an "Emissions Test is Required" if an updated test must be completed.
To get an emissions test, drivers must visit one of the emissions test stations and have things tested. Inspections are approximately $25 per vehicle for newer vehicles getting a two-year inspection and $15 per vehicle for older vehicles having a one-year inspection.
When it comes to automotive accidents, Colorado is an at-fault state. This means fault for the accident is determined, and the person who is at fault is liable to pay for any damages that occur during the accident. This means if vehicles or other property is damaged, the person responsible must pay for it. Any injuries that occur during the accident are also the responsibility of the individual held responsible.
For this reason, liability insurance must be held by all Colorado vehicle owners throughout the state. This insurance covers that liability so the driver does not get stuck paying all the costs themselves. Without enough insurance coverage, drivers will face serious fines and potential legal charges.
The minimum Colorado liability insurance should have the following:
These minimum figures are what's required by the law, but it's ideal to have higher coverage figures for additional protection. If an accident results in more significant costs, the at-fault driver is still liable to pay them and can be sued.
Self-Insurance Coverage Instead
Drivers with more than 25 cars registered in their name are eligible to self-insure their vehicles. The vehicle owner must prove they have enough assets to cover the minimum liability costs that would be protected by liability insurance. This is often proven by showing bank statements or other forms of monetary wealth.
For all the details about Colorado Insurance requirements, see the state's official page.
Every 12 months or sooner, Colorado residents must renew their vehicle registrations. Colorado natives can renew their registration by visiting an MV Express Kiosk location, going to a County Motor Vehicle Office, or using the online renewal tool. They must supply their renewal notice, proof their vehicle has undergone an emissions inspection if required, and any fees required to renew the vehicle's registration. The process is fast and simple, and it's necessary to continue driving legally within the state. Get more specifics about vehicle registration requirements at the Colorado Registration page.
In Colorado, driver's licenses must be renewed once every five years after turning 21. The renewal process is simple, but drivers must have some information on file with the Motor Vehicle office to streamline the process.
Driver's license renewal can be completed at an MV Express Kiosk, online, or by visiting a County Motor Vehicle office.
It's important to note that to use one of the rapid renewal options, drivers must meet these conditions:
Drivers who meet all the above requirements can renew their licenses rapidly at a kiosk location or online; otherwise, they will have to visit an office. Either way, there is a small renewal fee, and the final license will be mailed out after the renewal process is complete.
Registration
It's impossible to say exactly how much a registration renewal will cost. The costs are based on the year of the vehicle, the original purchase price, and taxes. Each registration renewal comes with a price listed on it that the buyer must pay for renewal.
Emission Testing
When having emissions testing at one of the state's many centers, vehicles newer than 1982 should cost $25, while older vehicles will cost about $15.
Driver License
Residents must pay $30.87 for a standard driver's license renewal. They can also get a duplicate of their license for $12.00 the first time and $16.00 the next. See more license fees on the state's fee page.
Buying & Selling
Buying or selling a vehicle in Colorado is simple to do, but there is paperwork to be completed either way. It's essential to understand the paperwork process to avoid any legal issues involved with a vehicle sale. Drivers who understand the process can protect themselves during any transaction.
Supply the Original Title
The seller must supply the vehicle's original title and fill out the required information on the rear of the title. The time and date of the sale, as well as the VIN, must all be present on the final title. The seller should also include the odometer reading on the title, or they can submit form DR2173 during the sale to give an odometer reading.
Have Their License Plates Reissued
When selling a vehicle, the seller must remove the license plate and return it to the state. Drivers must have their license plates reissued between vehicles. This is in an effort to keep license plates fresh. The driver has the preferred option to keep the same number on their new plate ahead of some other driver, but they will have to pay personalized plate costs to retain the plate number. They will receive a new randomized number if they opt to pay standard plate fees for the new vehicle. This is all explained on the Colorado Department of Revenue website.
Every buyer must complete these tasks when purchasing a vehicle in Colorado. When buying through a dealership, much of this work is handled by the dealership, but buyers should still have a vehicle history check done before purchasing any vehicle.
Run a Vehicle History Check
Before purchasing any vehicle, it's essential to know about its history. Using either the VIN check or the License Plate Check from GoodCar helps ensure there are no issues, such as theft or an unsavory title brand on the vehicle. These checks look at the vehicle history, past accidents, vehicle specifications, and features, as well as odometer readings and ownership history. This is all good information to have when thinking of purchasing a vehicle.
Gather Verifiable ID
The buyer must have a verifiable ID available when titling and registering the vehicle. Accepted forms of ID are listed on the Colorado Secure ID information page.
Fill out the Original Title
With help from the seller, it's essential to get the title fully filled out during the purchase of the vehicle. The back of the title has inputs for useful information that will help during titling and registration.
Insure the Vehicle
The new vehicle must be insured to protect it before it is registered in Colorado. Buyers must show proof of insurance when registering the vehicle.
Title and Register the Vehicle
Buyers can title and register a vehicle at a participating dealership location when buying from a dealer or via one of the County Motor Vehicle offices with the proper title and documentation from the purchase. The buyer must pay titling fees and registration costs, including a 2.9% sales tax on the vehicle's purchase price.
Title and Registration
To title a vehicle, the buyer must pay a $7.20 titling fee as well as a lien filing fee of $5 per page if there is a lien involved. Buyers also pay a small registration fee and purchase taxes on the vehicle's purchase price.
Sales Tax
When a vehicle is purchased in Colorado, a 2.9% sales tax cost is added to the registration price of the vehicle. It's important to note that additional county taxes could be added to that figure as well, but 2.9% will cover the majority of the taxes collected.
License Plate Reissue
If the seller chooses to get a random license plate, they only have to pay $4.73 to get the updated plate for a new vehicle. The seller may instead opt to retain their old plate number, but this counts as a personalized plate and comes at a much steeper cost. Personalized plates are $68.06 in material costs and $25 for the personalized renewal. Learn more at Colorado's license plate reissuance page.
Laws and Regulations
There are essential laws that must be followed by all residents who own vehicles in Colorado or who drive on the roads.
The driver, as well as the passengers of a vehicle over the age of 15, must be properly restrained while in the front seat of the vehicle. Riders under 15 must be restrained no matter where they sit in the vehicle. The state charges a $65 fine and a $6 surcharge whenever a rider or driver is found without their belt on. More details about this law are available from the Colorado General Assembly.
Child Passenger Safety Law
Along with basic seat belt requirements, the state has specific car seat regulations in place as well. Children under eight years of age must be properly seated in a car seat or booster seat following the below guidelines.
Under 20 Lbs.
The child must be positioned in a rear-facing car seat. If the child is under one year old, they must be positioned in a rear seat and may not be in a front seat position.
Between 20 and 40 lbs.
The child must remain in the rear-facing seat until they outgrow the upper weight limit. The child is moved to a forward-facing seat. They remain in a forward-facing seat with a 5-point harness until they outgrow the seat's weight limit.
40 lbs or more
Children under eight who are over 40 lbs. may remain in a forward-facing car seat that's designed to support that much weight. A child that weighs above 40 lbs. may be seated in a booster seat as long as they are at least four years of age.
These car seat laws are covered in-depth on the Colorado Government website.
Many Colorado vehicle owners tint their windows to reduce light while driving, to reduce interior fade, and to make their vehicles more private. There are some restrictions on tinted windows in the state, though they are relaxed.
Vehicle owners must follow these restrictions:
The tint laws are fully explained on the Colorado Government's tint page.
Some consumers have purchased new vehicles with serious defects in the past, only to be stuck with issues that are not being repaired. Colorado's Lemon law is meant to protect against that possibility. Under the Lemon law, citizens who are within their first year of vehicle ownership have the right to demand any significant defects covered under the manufacturer's warranty be repaired.
The vehicle's owner must send certified mail to the manufacturer explaining the defect, and once the manufacturer is aware of the problem, the company is required to repair the issue. If the problem is not addressed within four repair attempts, or if the repairs take the vehicle off the road for 30 or more days, the vehicle is a lemon, and the automaker must replace it or refund the value of the vehicle.
Colorado has several different drunk driving and drugged driving laws in place to help ensure drivers don't operate vehicles while impaired. These laws state that drivers must not have a BAC of 0.08 or higher while operating a vehicle, or they will be classified as driving under the influence of alcohol. Drivers also cannot show five nanograms of THC in their blood during a test, or they will be classified as driving while under the influence of drugs.
When a driver is pulled over and found to have a BAC between 0.02 and 0.05, they are specified as being impaired but not officially committing a DUI. Stricter fines and penalties are given to drivers with a BAC of 1.5 or greater.
Drivers under 21 years old cannot be found with a BAC of more than 0.02, or they are marked with underage drinking and driving.
Drivers found guilty of driving impaired or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol face serious fines, potential jail time, public service time, and potentially a criminal record in some instances. Fines start at between $200 and $500 and quickly grow more serious, as demonstrated by the state's fine table here.
Useful Things to Know
Most of the essential information has already been covered in this hub, but there are some extras that are good to know:
See Colorado Emissions Testing Centers and Wait Times
Find a local emissions testing center and see its estimated wait times before going to have tests performed: Colorado Emissions Testing Center Locator and Wait Times
Find an EV Charge Spot
Locate a public EV charging station to top up your electric vehicle throughout the state: EV Charging Station Locator
Colorado Crash Trend Information
Colorado suffered approximately 98,117 car accidents in 2023, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation. While this figure is significantly less than accident data between 2015 and 2019, there are still far too many accidents occurring to ignore. Drivers who are more aware of the causes of these accidents and the different accident types can better protect themselves. Get a complete understanding by reviewing Colorado car crash statistics on GoodCar.
Find a Nearby Colorado Motor Vehicle Office
When online or kiosk services are not available, it's time to visit a local Motor Vehicle office. Use this locator to find an office nearby: Colorado Motor Vehicle Office Locator
Locate an MV Express Kiosk
Select automotive services can be completed at Express Kiosk locations. Use this quick locator tool to find nearby kiosks quickly: MV Express Kiosk Locator
Access Colorado Vehicle Forms
Most official vehicle requirements can be completed more easily with the right forms. Get access to all the official Colorado forms in one neat place: Colorado Vehicle Form Directory
Get the Latest Colorado Vehicle Information with GoodCar
Colorado vehicle owners owe it to themselves to have the most up-to-date information about state laws, maintenance requirements, recalls, and more. Refer to this useful resource for residents looking for help and GoodCar's VIN Check and license plate lookup tools for help getting additional information about specific vehicles.