A newly purchased vehicle is subject to vehicle registration late fees 61 days after the purchase date.

If you own or operate a business in Colorado or, are gainfully employed in Colorado, or reside in Colorado for 90 consecutive days you are a resident of Colorado.  After becoming a resident of Colorado you must register your vehicle within 90 days or you will be imposed vehicle registration late fees.

Vehicle registration late fees are imposed when a timely payment for renewing your vehicle is not received.  Owners will continue to receive a one-month grace period after their registration expires.  Then, the $25-per-month late fee applies to any portion of the subsequent months for up to four months.

Example:                        Vehicle registration expired in April

                                       Grace period expired in May

If you register the vehicle in:

                                        Jun.         Late fee:                 $ 25.00

                                        Jul.          Late fee:                 $ 50.00

                                        Aug.        Late fee:                 $ 75.00

                                        Sept.       Late fee:                 $100.00

                                        Oct.         Late fee:                 $100.00

Vehicles that have a temporary registration (permit) are subject to late fees 61 days after the purchase date, there is no grace period.  The $25-per-month late fee applies to any portion of the subsequent months for up to four months.

  Example:                         Temporary Permit expiration date is June 3, 2009

  If you register the vehicle between:

                                                Jun. 4-30                 Late fee:                $ 25.00

                                                Jul. 1-31                  Late fee:                $ 50.00

                                                Aug. 1-31                Late fee:                $ 75.00

                                                Sep. 1-30                Late fee:                $100.00

                                                Oct. 1-31                 Late fee:                $100.00

There are three instances when the registration late fees are exempt.

If the owner of a vehicle who is active in the military serving outside Colorado when the registration grace period expires and the vehicle has not been operated on any public highway in Colorado between the time the registration period expired, including the grace period and the time the vehicle is registered. 

If a vehicle is used to operate a commercial business as part of the normal operation of the business is exempt late fees if the vehicle has not been operated on any public highway in Colorado for one full registration period.

If a vehicle was reported as stolen and then recovered.

Yes, you would need to re-qualify in Colorado. The requirements of this type of plate are different in each state. Colorado statutes require the applicant to provide verification from the Veteran's Administration that they meet one of the following requirements:

• Permanent disability, service connected, rated at 50% or more.
• Loss or permanent loss of use of one or both feet.
• Loss or permanent loss of use of one or both hands.
• Loss of sight in both eyes.
  And physical impairment verified in writing by a physician licensed to practice medicine in Colorado.
  
  AND,
  
  form DR 2219, a written verification of the applicant's mobility restrictions must be confirmed by one of the following individuals:
• Colorado physician (must be licensed to practice medicine in this state).
• The Director of the Division of Rehabilitation.
• Commissioned Medical Officers of the U. S. Armed Forces, the U.S. Public Health Service and/or the U.S. Veterans Administration.

The applicant must present to the Registration Section or an authorized moped agent:

• Form DR 2579
  and
• Manufacturers Statement of Origin - MSO
  or
• Bill of Sale
  or
• An affidavit stating legal ownership and date of purchase signed under penalty of perjury or notarized and the appropriate registration fee to:
  • Authorized motorized bicycle dealer
  • State Registration Section
    Department of Revenue
    Registration Section
    Denver CO 80261-0016
  • The Affidavit of Cylinder Capacity is required when the motorized bicycle DOES NOT have operable pedals.

Yes, an operator of a motorized bicycle shall possess a valid driver's license or minor driver's license.

No, you do not per CRS 10-4-601(6) Automobile Insurance Policy - Regulations. This definition states ". . . motor vehicle does not include mini-bikes, snowmobiles, bicycles with motor or engine attached"." Also, CRS 42-3-105(1)(d)(I) specifically states that "The Department .. shall not register a motor vehicle unless the applicant has a complying motor vehicle insurance policy". This applies to motor vehicles classified as Class C or Class B trucks that do not exceed sixteen thousand pounds empty weight. Motorized Bicycles do not fall into either category.

Your application will be submitted for approval, if approved you will receive a notification for payment. Upon receipt of payment your plate will be placed on order to be made.  Generally it takes 6 to 8 weeks for plates to be sent to your county motor vehicle office. Your county office will in turn notify you by mail upon receipt of your plate. If your choice(s) are rejected you will receive a notice stating the reason(s) why.

Please provide a copy of either your military discharge DD Form 214, copy of formal orders showing award of the Purple Heart medal, or a copy of the certificate for the award of the Purple Heart medal. Also a copy of, either your Colorado title, Colorado registration, Colorado title complete notices, or Colorado title receipt. Proof of insurance on your vehicle. And if applicable, a copy of your current emissions report.

Unfortunately, no. The spouse of the veteran must obtain regular license plates and pay all appropriate fees at their county motor vehicle office.

An original plate shall meet the following criteria in order to qualify for use of the plate:

• The plates were made at least thirty years prior to registration,
• The plates are embossed with the year of original issue,
• The plates are legible,
• The plates were issued contemporaneously with the year of manufacture of the vehicle upon which they are displayed and,
• The plates do not exceed seven characters.

Your vehicle must have been manufactured at least thirty years prior to registration. It will first be required to have a regular registration issued, such as a Horseless Carriage, Collector, or Street Rod series license plate. The vehicle must be insured. The applicant must sign and date the declaration statement in form DR 2818. Also, please submit a photocopy of the license plate when applying.

Fees to title and register vehicles in the State of Colorado are based on age of the vehicle, weight, taxable value, purchase date, and type of plate requested.  Estimates for registration fees are not provided over the phone. 

Some counties provide information on their website and can be accessed by going to Colorado Counties Inc. and selecting the appropriate county. Once you have accessed the appropriate county, click on Motor Vehicle and then click on fees. Counties use this equation to estimate your registration fees. Otherwise, you will need to go to your local county motor vehicle office to obtain this information.

The change of address for your vehicle record must be completed within 30 days of the new address becoming effective.  You will need to go to your county motor vehicle office to have the change of address made on your vehicle record.  Identification documents will be required. 

• New Titles
• Duplicate Titles
• New Registrations
• New Temporary Registration Permits
• New Placards

Yes, the transfer of license plates from one vehicle to another meets the following criteria:

• One owner must be consistent on both vehicle registrations.
• Vehicle must be eligible for the plate configuration being transferred.

Refunds are issued at the discretion of each county clerk and recorder. The Colorado Motor Vehicle Statutes and the State Division of Motor Vehicles DO NOT establish refund procedures.

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

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

1.  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

2.  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.

Currently the counties of Alamosa, Arapahoe, Archuleta, Boulder, Broomfield, Chaffee, Cheyenne, Custer, Delta, Denver, Dolores, Douglas, Gilpin, Grand, Huerfano, Jefferson, Lake, Larimer, Las Animas, Logan, Montezuma, Montrose, Otero, Ouray, Park, Pitkin, Pueblo, Routt, Saguache, San Miguel, Summit, Teller, Washington, Weld and Yuma accept Master Card, Visa and American Express as a payment option when titling and registering a vehicle.  Additional counties may be added at later dates.  Please contact your County Motor Vehicle office for updated information.   

No, Colorado law does not allow for the provision of sample plates for sale.