How Much Does It Cost To Register a Car in Colorado From Out of State
Cost of Registering Out-of-State Vehicles in Colorado
Registering a vehicle imported into Colorado from another state involves several mandatory fees payable to the Colorado Department of Revenue and your local county motor vehicle office. Understanding these costs is essential for new residents and anyone bringing a vehicle into the state.
Title Application Fee
When applying for a Colorado title, you must pay a title application fee of $7.20 at your county motor vehicle office. This fee applies to all title transactions processed through county offices across the state.
Motor Vehicle Sales Tax or Use Tax
Colorado imposes a motor vehicle sales and use tax on vehicles brought into the state. The state sales tax rate is 2.9% of the vehicle's purchase price, as established under the Colorado Sales and Use Tax statutes. State-administered local sales and use taxes also apply based on the jurisdiction where the vehicle will be registered.
For vehicles purchased outside of Colorado and registered in the state, the purchaser must pay Colorado use tax and any applicable local use tax at the time of registration. If the purchaser paid any sales, use, or other similar tax legally imposed by another state, the purchaser is allowed a credit for the taxes paid to that state. Tax credits may reduce the amount owed, but do not eliminate the requirement to pay any remaining use tax due to Colorado.
New Resident Tax
Not applicable in Colorado. New residents bringing vehicles from out of state must pay the standard motor vehicle use tax rather than a separate new resident tax. However, if a nonresident moves into Colorado and acquires Colorado residency, no use tax applies to any motor vehicle they acquired outside of Colorado and brought into the state when acquiring residency.
Registration Fee
The base registration fee, as prescribed by C.R.S. 42-3-306, varies by vehicle weight.
Contact your county motor vehicle office for exact fee calculations based on your vehicle's weight and classification.
Insurance Verification Fee
Colorado utilizes the Motorist Insurance Identification Database (MIIDB) program, with a fee of $0.10 collected for Class A, B, and C vehicles. An additional insurance fee of $0.50 is charged to vehicles that are not exempt from insurance requirements.
Processing and Handling Fee
A clerk hire fee of $4.00 applies to all registration transactions. This fee is distributed to the county clerk and recorder and covers the costs of processing vehicle registration, including county services and administrative functions.
Emissions Inspection Fee
Vehicles registered in designated areas of the following counties must undergo emissions testing: Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, Jefferson, and Larimer.
Several emissions-related fees are collected at the time of registration:
- Emissions-Area Air Account Fee: $1.50 for vehicles required to be registered in the emissions program area
- Emissions Program County Area Fee: $0.70 for all vehicles required to be registered, regardless of emissions testing requirements
- Emissions Statewide Air Account Fee: $0.50 for all vehicles required to be registered
The actual emissions inspection test, which is paid separately when obtaining the inspection, must be completed at an authorized testing facility before registration.
Local County Fees
Counties may assess various local fees that vary by jurisdiction:
- County Road and Bridge Fee: $0.94 for motor vehicles and trailers greater than 2,000 pounds, or $2.50 for motorcycles, trailers less than 2,000 pounds, and trailer coaches
- Peace Officer Standardized Training (POST) Fee: $1.00 for all Tax Class A, B, and C vehicles
- Emergency Medical Services Fee: $2.00 for all vehicles except trailers and low-power scooters
Additional local sales and use taxes apply based on the city, county, and special district where the vehicle will be registered.
Electric Vehicle Fee
Fully electric vehicles are subject to an annual Plug-In Electric Vehicle Registration Fee collected at the time of registration. For fiscal year 2025-26, this fee is $60.05 for standard electric vehicles.
Battery electric vehicles are also subject to the Electric Motor Vehicle Road Usage Fee, which increases annually according to a predetermined schedule. For 2025, this fee is $12.00 for battery electric vehicles. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles pay $8.00 for the same period.
Commercial electric vehicles weighing more than 10,000 pounds are subject to additional commercial electric road usage fees based on weight class.
FASTER Fees
Colorado collects Funding Advancement for Surface Transportation Economic Recovery (FASTER) fees to support road and bridge infrastructure:
Road Safety Surcharge (September 1, 2025 - August 31, 2027):
| Vehicle Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Motorcycle | $12.30 |
| Autocycle | $12.30 |
| Trailer Coach | $12.30 |
| 2,000 lbs or less | $12.30 |
| 2,001 - 5,000 lbs | $19.30 |
| 5,001 - 10,000 lbs | $24.30 |
| 10,001 - 16,000 lbs (Passenger Bus) | $33.30 |
| 16,001 lbs or more (Passenger Bus) | $35.30 |
Bridge Safety Surcharge:
| Vehicle Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Motorcycle | $13.00 |
| Motor Scooter | $13.00 |
| Motor Bicycle | $13.00 |
| 2,000 lbs or less | $13.00 |
| 2,001 - 5,000 lbs | $18.00 |
| 5,001 - 10,000 lbs | $23.00 |
| Passenger Bus | $29.00 |
| 10,001 - 16,000 lbs | $29.00 |
| 16,001 lbs or more | $32.00 |
Specific Ownership Tax
The specific ownership tax is based on the vehicle's year of manufacture and original taxable value. This tax is in lieu of personal property tax and is distributed to the county general fund. The taxable value is determined when the vehicle is new and does not change throughout the life of the vehicle.
Tax Class C (passenger vehicles and most motor vehicles):
| Vehicle Model Year | Tax Assessment |
|---|---|
| First Year | 2.10% of taxable value |
| Second Year | 1.50% of taxable value |
| Third Year | 1.20% of taxable value |
| Fourth Year | 0.90% of taxable value |
| Fifth through ninth years | 0.45% of taxable value, or $10.00, whichever is greater |
| Tenth and later years | $3.00 |
The taxable value for Class C vehicles is 85% of the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP).
Vehicle Age Fee
An additional age-based fee is assessed based on the vehicle's age:
| Age of Vehicle | Fee |
|---|---|
| Less than 7 years old | $9.00 |
| 7-9 years old | $7.00 |
| 10 years or older | $5.00 |
Keep Colorado Wild Pass Fee
Beginning in 2023, Colorado residents are charged a $29 Keep Colorado Wild Pass during annual vehicle registration. This optional pass provides access to Colorado state parks and can be declined during the registration process. Residents can opt out of this fee if they do not wish to purchase the pass.
Lien Filing Fee
Effective July 1, 2025, the lien filing fee is $40.00 regardless of the number or size of pages. This flat fee applies to all lien applications received on or after July 1, 2025, in addition to the title fee of $7.20.
County Motor Vehicle Offices
The following offices process vehicle title and registration transactions in major Colorado counties:
Denver Motor Vehicle
3698 W. 44th Avenue, Denver, CO 80211
Phone: (720) 865-4600
Official Website: Denver Motor Vehicle
El Paso County Motor Vehicle Department
1675 West Garden of the Gods Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80907
Phone: (719) 520-6240
Official Website: El Paso County Motor Vehicle
Arapahoe County Clerk and Recorder Motor Vehicle
5334 S. Prince Street, Littleton, CO 80120
Phone: (303) 795-4500
Official Website: Arapahoe County Motor Vehicle
Jefferson County Motor Vehicle
2099 Wadsworth Boulevard, Suite K, Lakewood, CO 80214
Phone: (303) 271-8100
Official Website: Jefferson County Motor Vehicle
Adams County Motor Vehicle
4430 S. Adams County Parkway, Suite E2001, Brighton, CO 80601
Phone: (720) 523-6010
Official Website: Adams County Motor Vehicle
Boulder County Clerk and Recorder Motor Vehicle
1750 33rd Street, Boulder, CO 80301
Phone: (303) 413-7710
Official Website: Boulder County Motor Vehicle
Larimer County Vehicle Licensing
200 W. Oak Street, First Floor, Fort Collins, CO 80521
Phone: (970) 498-7878
Official Website: Larimer County Vehicle Licensing
Douglas County Motor Vehicle
301 Wilcox Street, Castle Rock, CO 80104
Phone: (303) 660-7440
Official Website: Douglas County Motor Vehicle
Weld County Motor Vehicle Department
1250 H Street, Greeley, CO 80631
Phone: (970) 304-6520
Official Website: Weld County Motor Vehicle
Pueblo County Motor Vehicle
215 W. 10th Street, Pueblo, CO 81003
Phone: (719) 583-6507
Official Website: Pueblo County Motor Vehicle
