How To Claim an Abandoned Vehicle in Colorado

Claiming an abandoned vehicle in Colorado is a structured legal process governed by the Colorado Department of Revenue Division of Motor Vehicles and the Colorado Public Utilities Commission. The procedure distinguishes between vehicles abandoned on private property, public property, and repair facilities.

What Qualifies as an Abandoned Vehicle in Colorado

Colorado defines abandoned vehicles through three statutory categories. Under Colorado Revised Statutes Section 42-4-2101, a motor vehicle is abandoned on private property when left unattended for twenty-four hours or longer (or per local ordinance) without the owner's or lessee's consent; stored in an impound lot per the owner's request but not removed per the storage agreement; left on private property without consent, towed at the owner's request, and not removed within forty-eight hours; or fitted with an immobilization device.

Under Colorado Revised Statutes Section 42-4-1802, a vehicle is abandoned on public property when left unattended for forty-eight hours or longer; left unattended longer than local ordinance limits (or forty-eight hours if no ordinance exists); stored in an impound lot per law enforcement and not removed within seventy-two hours of release notification; fitted with an immobilization device; or left at a regional transportation district parking facility.

Under Colorado Revised Statutes Section 38-20-116, a vehicle is abandoned at a repair shop when the owner or agent has refused to authorize repairs, pay for repairs, or remove the vehicle. The owner is deemed to have refused five working days after the shop's documented good-faith contact attempt.

Process To Claim an Abandoned Vehicle in Colorado

Understanding the Abandoned Vehicle Process

Colorado law does not permit automatic title transfer by mere possession; legal title passes only upon completion of the statutory procedures. The sale process requires that vehicles be sold in a commercially reasonable manner—either to licensed dealers or wholesalers, or through public newspaper advertisement—depending on the vehicle's value and the intended purchaser.

Report the Unclaimed Vehicle

For Private Property Tows: The tow operator must contact law enforcement within thirty minutes of pickup to verify the vehicle is not stolen and obtain a tow report number. Within ten days, the operator submits form DR 2008A to the Colorado Department of Revenue Vehicle Services Section for a record search, which remains valid for one year.

For Public Property Tows: Law enforcement completes form DR 2008, documenting the vehicle description, reason for the tow, and storage location. If the vehicle is evidence in an active investigation, the abandoned date begins after the evidence hold is released and the owner has not claimed it.

For Repair Shop Tows: The repair shop arranges a Colorado Certified VIN Inspection by a post-certified inspector (valid one year) and submits form DR 2489A with a photocopy of the inspection to request a title record search.

Verify Title Records and Owner Information

For Private and Public Tows: The operator or law enforcement requests a certified motor vehicle record search from the Colorado Department of Revenue (within 10 business days for public tows; within 2-10 calendar days for private tows). If a Colorado record is found, the results include the owner's and lienholder's contact information. If no Colorado record is found, a national search is required via form DR 2489A.

For Repair Shop Procedures: The repair shop obtains Colorado and out-of-state title record searches and then attempts to contact the owner of record via certified or registered mail with return receipt requested.

Send Required Notices

For Private Tows: Within five calendar days of receiving the record search, the operator sends written notice via certified mail (return receipt requested) to all registered owners, titled owners, and lienholders. The notice must include the operator's name, PUC permit number, address, storage location, phone number, date of tow, location, tow report number, law enforcement agency verification, vehicle information, and a statement that vehicles not claimed within thirty calendar days of postmark will be disposed of. Proof of notification must be retained for three years.

For Public Tows: Law enforcement or the tow operator sends notice by certified mail within three calendar days (operator) or ten business days (law enforcement) of the record search. The notice must include the above information plus notification of the right to a hearing to determine the legality of the towing, with requests submitted to the law enforcement agency within ten days of the notice postmark. Proof of notification must be retained for three years.

For Repair Shop Procedures: The repair shop sends notice via certified or registered mail to all owners and lienholders. The letter must include the vehicle year, make, VIN, the shop's intent to title the vehicle, contact information, and notice that the vehicle is subject to sale if not claimed within thirty days after postmark. Copies of the letter and postal return receipt (PS 3811) or undeliverable envelope must be retained.

Allow the Statutory Waiting Period

For Private and Public Tows: At least thirty calendar days must elapse from the postmark date before sale. The vehicle must be sold no later than sixty calendar days from postmark, or if no Colorado record was found, within sixty calendar days of the record search completion date. During this period, if the owner or lienholder claims the vehicle, it must be released and redemption recorded in the vehicle portal system.

For Repair Shop Procedures: At least fifteen days must elapse from the date the vehicle is deemed abandoned before establishing retail fair market value. The shop may not apply for title until at least thirty days after the notice postmark date.

File Notice of Sale or Authorized Transfer

For Private and Public Tows: No advance filing is required, but vehicles sold to the general public must be advertised in a Colorado newspaper at least once before sale. The operator completes form DR 2173 (Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale) at the time of sale with accurate appraisal and sale method designation.

For Repair Shop Procedures: No advance filing is required. The repair shop establishes retail fair market value at least fifteen days after abandonment using price guides, computerized valuation services, a licensed Colorado automotive dealer, or a certified appraisal. For vehicles valued below $200, no title may be issued; these must be sold for junking, scrapping, or dismantling only using form DR 2173 marked "NO TITLE."

Publish Auction Notice

For Sales to the General Public: Notice must be published in a Colorado classified newspaper before the sale date. The advertisement must identify the operator or agency, include vehicle year, make, model, and last six VIN characters, and indicate the sale date or bidding instructions. Proof of publication must include a copy of the advertisement, publication date(s), newspaper name, and may include electronic certification. Proof must be retained and submitted with title application documents.

Conduct the Sale

For Private and Public Tows: Sales must be conducted commercially reasonably and may be made to licensed dealers, wholesalers, or wholesale auction dealers or through a classified newspaper advertisement for general public sales. Vehicles cannot be sold to anyone with a proprietary interest in the tow operation or to the person who authorized the tow. Vehicles appraised at $350 or less must be sold as junk with no Colorado title issued.

The sale is memorialized on form DR 2173, documenting sale price, towing charges, storage charges, and other authorized deductions under PUC regulations. The form is signed by the seller (operator or agency) and the purchaser and includes the date of sale, complete vehicle information, and the odometer reading.

For Repair Shop Sales: The repair shop may sell the vehicle or retain it and apply for title in its name only, following the procedures outlined below.

Complete the Bill of Sale and Title Documents

All abandoned vehicle sales require form DR 2173 (Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale - Secure Form), including the sale price, itemized deductions for towing and storage fees, and other PUC-authorized costs, vehicle odometer reading, and appraisal amount.

For private and public tows, appraisals must exceed $350 for title issuance; if appraised at $350 or less, mark as "JUNK" or "NO TITLE" and send a copy to the Department of Revenue. For a repair shop to abandon vehicles, the retail fair market value must exceed $200 for title issuance; if valued at $200 or less, mark as "NO TITLE" and sell only for junking, scrapping, or dismantling.

If the vehicle carries a current or previous salvage brand, it must be disclosed to the purchaser on the DR 2173. If roadworthy following a DR 2704 Certified VIN Inspection, the purchaser receives a DR 2424 (Rebuilt from Salvage Title Statement of Facts). If previous salvage status requires investigation, complete form DR 2710 (Branded Title Disclosure Statement), marking "Other" and noting "Purchased as an abandoned vehicle, unable to obtain salvage history, reason for salvage unknown."

Apply For Title

The purchaser must apply for an Application for Title and/or Registration (form DR 2395) at the county motor vehicle office. Secure and Verifiable Identification is required (see form DR 2841 for acceptable forms).

Supporting documentation includes the original DR 2173, DR 2698 Verification of Vehicle Identification Number (valid one year), original record search results if no Colorado record was found, proof of publication if advertised, and applicable salvage forms. The title fee is $7.20 per Colorado Revised Statutes Section 42-6-137.

For Vehicles with Previous Salvage Brand: If the record search indicates a salvage brand, a DR 2704 Certified VIN Inspection (valid for one year) is required to determine if roadworthy. If roadworthy, follow form DR 2415 (Title Established by Salvage Title Checklist). If not roadworthy, apply for a salvage title using form DR 2410 or repair the vehicle, have it re-inspected, and then apply per DR 2415.

Bonded Title or Surety Bond Requirements

When no Colorado or national title record is found, the purchaser must obtain a surety bond before title issuance. The bond amount must be twice the appraised value shown on the DR 2173, with a minimum of $700. Surety bond companies are typically listed under "Surety Bonds" in local directories. The bond must indicate vehicle year, make, and VIN (assigned ID) and be completed by both the applicant and the issuing insurance company. The Colorado title is issued in the exact name noted on the surety bond. When a bond is required, the DR 2173 appraisal remains valid for forty-five days.

Special Rules for Salvage, Rebuilt, or Inoperable Vehicles

Vehicles bearing "salvage" or "title brand" status (such as "Rebuilt From Salvage") must have brands disclosed to the purchaser and carry forward to subsequent transfers. Roadworthy vehicles following DR 2704 Certified VIN Inspection may be issued with a title branded "Rebuilt From Salvage" with proper documentation. Non-roadworthy vehicles must be issued a salvage title or repaired and re-inspected before title issuance.

Subsequent titles for repaired abandoned vehicles will indicate "Other—purchased as an abandoned vehicle" on form DR 2710, protecting future purchasers by providing notice of prior abandoned status.

Maintain Records

Tow operators, law enforcement agencies, and repair shops must retain all records for 3 years from the date of sale or title issuance. Records include copies of notices to owners and lienholders, certified mail receipts with return receipt confirmations, DR 2008A or DR 2008 forms, record search results, proof of publication if applicable, DR 2173 bills of sale and disclosure forms. Personal information identifying vehicle owners and lienholders must not be disclosed to purchasers and must be retained separately under the Driver's Privacy Protection Act.

Colorado Storage Fees and Financial Considerations

Storage Fee Rules

Storage fees accrue from the date a vehicle is placed in storage. Towing carriers may charge storage fees in accordance with Colorado Public Utilities Commission-approved rates. For abandoned vehicles, storage fees continue only until a commercially reasonable sale is conducted. If a vehicle does not sell following a publicly advertised sale, storage fees may continue for up to 120 days from the publication date.

Storage fees charged in violation of PUC regulations or state statute cannot be collected or retained. Disputes regarding improper charges must result in refunds to the vehicle owner from the carrier.

Towing and Recovery Charges

The Colorado Public Utilities Commission establishes reasonable maximum rates for nonconsensual and law enforcement tows, subject to annual review and adjustment based on vehicle type and weight. Towing fees must comply with PUC regulations and are itemized on the DR 2173. Charges exceeding statutory limits cannot be collected.

Disputes Over Charges

Disputes over towing, storage, or recovery fees may be filed with the Colorado Public Utilities Commission Consumer Affairs Unit, which investigates complaints and may require carriers to cease accruing storage charges during review. The PUC may determine violations and require the release of vehicles at no charge or the refund of amounts paid. Administrative enforcement includes warning letters or civil penalties.

Sale Proceeds and Excess Funds

When the sale price exceeds the total allowable deductions (towing charges, storage, enforcement expenditures, processing fees, and other PUC-authorized costs), any remaining balance must be remitted by the operator to the Colorado Department of Revenue within 30 days of the sale. No remittance is required if the sale price does not exceed deductions.

When remitting funds, the operator must submit two copies of the DR 2173 Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale and mail the balance to:

Colorado Department of Revenue
P.O. Box 173350
Denver, CO 80217-3350

Contact Information

Colorado Department of Revenue Division of Motor Vehicles
1351 5th St., Suite 100, Denver, Colorado 80204
Phone: (303) 205-5600
Official Website: Colorado Department of Revenue - Abandoned Vehicles