How Much Does It Cost To Register a Car in Colorado in 2025
Vehicle registration fees in Colorado are established by the Colorado Legislature under Colorado Revised Statutes § 42-3-306 and vary based on vehicle weight, type, and age. Colorado operates a complex fee system that includes base registration fees, specific ownership taxes, and various infrastructure surcharges.
Base Registration Fees
Passenger Vehicle Registration
Colorado registration fees are based on vehicle weight and type:
| Vehicle Weight | Registration Fee |
|---|---|
| 2,000 lbs or less | $6.00 |
| 2,001 - 4,500 lbs | $6.00 + $0.20 per 100 lbs over 2,000 lbs |
| Over 4,500 lbs | $12.50 + $0.60 per 100 lbs over 4,500 lbs |
| Motor homes over 6,500 lbs | $24.50 + $0.30 per 100 lbs over 6,500 lbs |
Motorcycle and Special Vehicle Fees
| Vehicle Type | Registration Fee |
|---|---|
| Motorcycles | $3.00 |
| Autocycles | $3.00 |
| Trailer coaches | $3.00 |
| Small trailers (≤2,000 lbs) | $3.00 |
| Large trailers (>2,000 lbs) | $7.50 |
| Semitrailers | $7.50 |
Additional Age-Based Fees
All passenger vehicles pay additional fees based on age:
| Vehicle Age | Additional Fee |
|---|---|
| Less than 7 years | $9.00 |
| 7-9 years old | $7.00 |
| 10 years or older | $5.00 |
Current fee schedules are available through the Colorado DMV fee information.
Commercial Vehicle Registration
Commercial vehicle fees are based on empty weight:
Farm Vehicles (Used Exclusively for Agricultural Purposes)
| Empty Weight | Registration Fee |
|---|---|
| Up to 5,000 lbs | $6.20 - $15.50 (weight-based scale) |
| 5,001 - 10,000 lbs | $15.50 + $0.45 per 100 lbs over 5,000 lbs |
| 10,001 - 16,000 lbs | $38.00 + $1.20 per 100 lbs over 10,000 lbs |
| Over 16,000 lbs | $110.00 + $1.50 per 100 lbs over 16,000 lbs |
Commercial Trucks and Truck Tractors
| Empty Weight | Registration Fee |
|---|---|
| Up to 16,000 lbs | $7.60 - $233.00 (detailed weight scale) |
| Over 16,000 lbs | Gross vehicle weight-based fees: $330 - $1,400+ |
Complete commercial vehicle fee schedules are detailed in C.R.S. § 42-3-306.
Local and County Fees
Colorado vehicle registration includes uniform statewide processing fees with no county-specific registration fees. All counties follow the same fee structure established by state law.
Universal County Processing Fees
| Fee Type | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Clerk Hire Fee | $4.00 | County administrative costs |
| County Road and Bridge | $0.94 (vehicles >2,000 lbs) / $2.50 (motorcycles, small trailers) | Local road maintenance |
The remaining 64 Colorado counties do not charge additional local registration fees beyond these standardized amounts.
Mandatory Processing Fees
All vehicle registrations include several mandatory fees established by state statute:
Required Processing Fees
| Fee Type | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Services | $2.00 | EMS funding (all vehicles except trailers) |
| Peace Officer Standards Training (POST) | $1.00 | Police training |
| Insurance Fee | $0.50 | Insurance database maintenance |
| Material Fees | $0.93 - $11.27 | License plates and tabs |
FASTER Infrastructure Fees
Funding Advancement for Surface Transportation Economic Recovery (FASTER) fees support road and bridge infrastructure:
Road Safety Surcharge (Effective September 1, 2025)
| Vehicle Type/Weight | Fee |
|---|---|
| Motorcycles, autocycles | $12.30 |
| Vehicles ≤2,000 lbs | $12.30 |
| Vehicles 2,001-5,000 lbs | $19.30 |
| Vehicles 5,001-10,000 lbs | $24.30 |
| Vehicles 10,001-16,000 lbs | $33.30 |
| Vehicles >16,000 lbs | $35.30 |
Bridge Safety Surcharge
| Vehicle Type/Weight | Fee |
|---|---|
| Motorcycles, small vehicles | $13.00 |
| Vehicles 2,001-5,000 lbs | $18.00 |
| Vehicles 5,001-10,000 lbs | $23.00 |
| Vehicles 10,001-16,000 lbs | $29.00 |
| Vehicles >16,000 lbs | $32.00 |
Special Requirements by Region
Emissions Testing Areas
Colorado requires emissions testing in specific metropolitan areas for vehicles 7 years old or older (4 years for diesel):
Counties requiring emissions testing:
- Adams County
- Arapahoe County
- Boulder County
- Broomfield County (City and County)
- Denver County
- Douglas County
- Jefferson County
- Larimer County (Fort Collins area)
- Weld County (Greeley area)
Emissions testing fees:
- Emissions-Area Air Account Fee: $1.50
- Emissions Program County Area Fee: $0.70
- Statewide Air Account Fee: $0.50
Electric Vehicle Fees
Colorado assesses additional fees on electric and hybrid vehicles:
Plug-In Electric Vehicle Registration Fee
- FY 2024-25: $57.19
- FY 2025-26: $60.05
Electric Motor Vehicle Road Usage Fees (Graduated Scale)
- Battery Electric Vehicles: $12 (2025) to $96 (2032)
- Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles: $8 (2025) to $27 (2032)
Specific Ownership Taxes
Colorado assesses Specific Ownership Taxes (SOT) in lieu of personal property tax based on vehicle age and original taxable value:
Tax Assessment Schedule
| Vehicle Age | Tax Rate (% of taxable value) |
|---|---|
| 1st year | 2.10% |
| 2nd year | 1.50% |
| 3rd year | 1.20% |
| 4th year | 0.90% |
| 5th-9th years | 0.45% |
| 10+ years | $3.00 flat fee |
Taxable Value Calculation:
- Passenger vehicles: 85% of MSRP
- Light trucks (<16,000 lbs): 75% of MSRP
- Heavy trucks (≥16,000 lbs): Actual purchase price
Title Fees
Vehicle title services are administered separately from registration:
| Title Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Original Title | $7.20 |
| Duplicate Title | $8.20 |
| Lien Filing | $40.00 |
Additional Fees for Emissions Areas
Vehicles in emissions testing areas pay additional fees:
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Emissions-Area Air Account | $1.50 |
| Emissions Program County | $0.70 |
| Statewide Air Account | $0.50 |
| Total Additional | $2.70 |
These totals exclude sales tax, late penalties, and optional fees such as the Keep Colorado Wild Pass ($29).
All fees are distributed according to Colorado statutes with portions supporting the Highway Users Tax Fund, county road maintenance, emergency services, and various transportation infrastructure programs as detailed in the Colorado DMV fee distribution information.
Current fee calculations and vehicle-specific estimates are available through individual county motor vehicle offices as fees may vary based on specific vehicle characteristics and registration timing.
