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

Vehicle registration late fees are imposed when payment for renewing your vehicle is not received timely. With the exception of temporary permits, owners 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. The total amount assessed will not exceed the $100 late fee limit.

Effective July 1, 2010, the late fee will be $10 for vehicles without motive power that weigh 16,000 pounds or less, that are subject to taxation, and that are not registered when required by law. The weight of a trailer of any kind is the empty weight. C.R.S. 42-3-112(1.7)

Vehicles without motive power include trailers, camper trailers, trailer coaches, multipurpose trailers and special mobile machinery without motive power.
Late fees accrued prior to July 1, 2010 will be included in the late fee assessed on or after July 1, 2010, however the total amount assessed will not exceed the $100 late fee limit.

Example: Transaction date is July 15, 2010. Customer’s registration for a 14,000 pound trailer expired January 2010 with a one month grace of February 2010. The late fee due is $100. This includes $25 each month for the months of March, April, May and June and $10 for July, but the late fee is still limited to $100.

Example: Transaction date is July 15, 2010. Customer’s registration for a camper trailer expired February 2010 with a one month grace of March 2010. The late fee due is $85. This includes $25 each month for the months of April, May and June and $10 for July.

There are instances when the registration late fees may be waived.

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.

The $10 late fee is not eligible for the late fee waiver or reduction authorized pursuant to HB10-1212, except for commercial vehicle trailers and farm vehicle trailers. See commercial definitions, example below and C.R.S. 42-3-112(1,5)(b) for additional details.

C.R.S. 42-1-102(17.5) “Commercial Vehicle” means a vehicle used to transport cargo or passengers for profit, hire, or otherwise to further the purposes of a business or commercial enterprise.

Example: Transaction date is July 20, 2010. Registration of a commercial trailer expired February 2010 with a one month grace of March 2010. The late fee due is $85. This includes $25 each month for the months of April, May and June and $10 for the month of July.

The $10 late fee may be reduced or waived on this commercial trailer independently if it has not been operated on the roads for one full registration period.

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.

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.

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.

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.

If the Disabled Veteran license plate was issued by your County Motor Vehicle office please visit that office with one of the following ownership documents.

• The Certificate of Title for the new vehicle
• Title complete notice for the new vehicle.

If the Disabled Veteran license plate was issued by the Division of Motor Vehicles, Registration Section as an exempt license plate please submit the following ownership documents.

• The Certificate of Title in the name of the disabled veteran for the new vehicle (if applying in person); or
•  A photocopy of the title for the new vehicle; or
• Copy of the DR 2574, computer generated title application for the new vehicle; or
• Copy of the registration/title receipt providing the title information has previously been submitted to the State Title Section.
•  A copy of the current registration for the vehicle for which the D/V plates are being transferred from.
• Proof of insurance and Secure and Verifiable Identification Document (SVID) are required. Please do not fax or mail a copy of your SVID. Complete the DR 2842 Supplemental Secure and Verifiable Identification Information and Attestation Clause form.
• Proof of emission may be required depending on the county of residence and the vehicles’ year of manufacture. For information regarding emission counties please visit www.colorado.gov/revenue/dmv

Documents may be submitted:

In Person
Division of Motor Vehicles
Department of Revenue
1881 Pierce Street
Lakewood, CO

By Mail
Department of Revenue
Registration Section
Denver, CO 80261-0016

By Fax
(303)205-5978
 

The qualifying Disabled Veterans name must appear as owner or co-owner on the Certificate of Title to the vehicle that the plates are being transferred to.

The applicant must present to the Division of Motor Vehicles, Registration Section or an authorized Low-Power Scooter Dealer the following:

• DR 2579 Application for Low-Power Scooter Registration.
• Manufacturer's Statement of Origin (MSO), Bill of Sale, or an affidavit stating legal ownership and date of purchase signed under penalty of perjury or notarized.
• Registration fee as listed on the DR 2579 Application for Low-Power Scooter Registration.

Applications not completed by an authorized Low-Power Scooter Dealer may either be mailed or presented in person at the addresses below.

Mail In:  Division of Motor Vehicles

             State Registration Section

             Denver, CO 80261-0016

Walk In:  Colorado Department of Revenue

              Division of Motor Vehicles

              Registration Section

              1881 Pierce St

              Lakewood, CO 80214

Yes, an operator of a Low-Power Scooter shall possess a valid driver's license or minor driver's license.

Effective July 1, 2010 all Low-Power Scooters shall have a complying motor vehicle insurance policy pursuant to part 6 of article 4 of title 10, C.R.S., or a certificate of self-insurance in full force and effect as required by section 10-4-619 and 10-4-624 C.R.S.

Low-Power Scooters shall not be registered on or after July 1, 2010 without proof of complying motor vehicle insurance policy and payment of the Motorist Insurance Identification Fee.  Non-compliance is a misdemeanor traffic offense with a minimum penalty for such offense is a $500.00 fine and that the maximum penalty for such offense is one year's imprisonment and a $1,000.00 fine.

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.

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.

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

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.

You will need to go to the County Motor Vehicle Office in the county where the vehicle is to be registered to change the address on your vehicle record within 30 days of the new address becoming effective.  Identification documents will be required. 

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.

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 C.R.S. who is a licensed dealer selling motor vehicles that such person has manufactured.

Currently the counties of Adams, Alamosa, Arapahoe, Archuleta, Baca, Boulder, Broomfield, Chaffee, Cheyenne, Clear Creek, Conejos, Costilla, Custer, Delta, Denver, Dolores, Douglas, Eagle, El Paso, Fremont, Garfield, Gilpin, Grand, Gunnison, Huerfano, Jackson, Jefferson, Kiowa, Kit Carson, Lake, Larimer, Las Animas, Lincoln, Logan, Mesa, Moffat, Montezuma, Montrose, Morgan, Otero, Ouray, Park, Phillips, Pitkin, Prowers, Pueblo, Rio Blanco, Rio Grande, Routt, Saguache, San Miguel, Summit, Teller, Washington, Weld and Yuma accept Master Card, Visa, Discover 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.