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Thornton, Colorado

Thornton Truck Bill of Sale Requirements

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Reviewed against state DMV requirementsLast reviewed: April 20266 min readEditorial policy

Complete requirements checklist for a truck bill of sale in Thornton, Colorado (Form DR 2173). Includes exact fees, notarization rules, and where to file at the Adams County Motor Vehicle.

Fees, notarization rules, and filing addresses on this page are reviewed against 49 CFR Part 580 — Odometer Disclosure Requirements and the Adams County Motor Vehicle. Source documents are cross-checked each quarter so Thornton buyers and sellers always see the current Colorado truck bill of sale standard, not stale third-party summaries.

Title Transfer Fee

$7.20

Sales Tax Rate

8.75%

Notarization

Not Required

Required Fields — Thornton Truck Bill of Sale

All of the following must appear on a valid truck bill of sale in Thornton, Colorado per Form DR 2173:

  • Full legal name and current address of seller
  • Full legal name and current address of buyer
  • Agreed sale price (in numerals and words)
  • Date of sale
  • Truck year, make, model, and body style
  • 17-character VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)
  • Odometer reading at time of sale (federal disclosure required for most motor vehicles under 10 years old)
  • Signature of seller
  • Signature of buyer

Notarization in Thornton: Not Required

Colorado does not require notarization for a truck bill of sale. Colorado does not require notarization for private vehicle sales. Both parties simply sign and date the completed form in the presence of each other.

Colorado Truck transfer fees and requirements

In Colorado, the title transfer fee is $7.2 and registration costs $50 - $100+ based on vehicle weight and age. Truck sales are subject to 2.9% state plus local taxes; ownership tax based on age. Colorado does not require notarization for private-party truck transfers. Emission testing is required in Colorado — verify the truck passes before completing the sale.

  • Emissions testing required in Denver metro and northern Front Range
  • Ownership tax calculated based on vehicle taxable value
  • VIN verification required for out-of-state vehicles

Official Colorado bill of sale form

The official Colorado bill of sale form is DR 2173 (Bill of Sale for a Motor Vehicle). BillOfSaleNow generates a document that meets all Colorado requirements and can be used in place of the official form.

Colorado sales tax on truck purchases

Colorado has a 2.9% state sales tax rate. 2.9% state plus county/city taxes (total 3–10%). Private-party truck sales in Colorado are subject to sales tax. Sales tax applies; ownership tax also assessed based on vehicle age. The title transfer fee is $7.

Truck market data and safety information

The most common truck makes in private-party sales are Ford, Chevrolet, RAM, Toyota, GMC. Average private-party truck prices range from $8,000–$55,000. The average NCAP safety rating for recent truck models is 4 out of 5 stars. Trucks average 3.8 NHTSA recalls per model across categories including Power Train, Fuel System, Steering.

Safety checkpoints for buying a used truck

Before completing a truck bill of sale in Colorado, verify these safety items:

  • Inspect frame for rust — trucks used in salt-belt states often have hidden corrosion
  • Check 4WD/AWD transfer case engagement and operation
  • Verify towing package wiring and hitch receiver condition
  • Test tailgate mechanism and bed liner condition
  • Confirm trailer brake controller integration if equipped
  • Verify backup camera and parking sensors function correctly
  • Test tow/haul mode and check transmission cooler condition
  • Inspect cab corners and rocker panels for hidden rust

Truck insurance and depreciation in Colorado

Full-size trucks cost 10–20% more to insure than sedans. Lifted trucks or diesel modifications may increase premiums further. Trucks hold value better than cars — full-size pickups retain 60–70% of value after 5 years. Diesel models retain the most. Peak season for private truck sales is late spring through summer when construction and outdoor activity demand rises, with an average of 18 days on market.

Truck registration and titling

Trucks are classified as "Light truck (under 8,500 lbs) or Medium truck (8,500–26,000 lbs)" for registration purposes. Trucks under 16,000 lbs GVWR follow passenger rules. Over 16,000 lbs GVWR triggers commercial vehicle requirements and federal odometer exemption. Federal odometer disclosure is required for trucks under 20 years old.

Truck title transfer rules

Truck title transfer requirements depend on weight class. Light-duty trucks (under 8,500 lbs GVWR) follow standard passenger vehicle rules. Medium-duty and heavy-duty trucks may require additional commercial documentation. The title lists the GVWR or weight class. Buyers should confirm the truck weight class matches the title to avoid registration surprises. Some states issue separate commercial titles for trucks over 10,000 lbs.

Odometer disclosure for truck sales

Trucks with a GVWR of 16,000 lbs or more are exempt from federal odometer disclosure under 49 CFR 580.17(a). Light-duty pickup trucks under that threshold require standard odometer disclosure if less than 20 years old.

  • Applicable law: 49 CFR 580.17(a) — Odometer exemption for vehicles over 16,000 lbs GVWR

Required disclosures for truck sales in Colorado

When selling a truck in Colorado, the following disclosures apply:

  • GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) should be documented — it determines odometer, registration, and licensing requirements.
  • Trucks over 8,500 lbs GVWR may require commercial plates in some states.
  • Diesel emission system (DEF/DPF) delete modifications are illegal under the Clean Air Act and should be disclosed.

Colorado bill of sale statistics

BillOfSaleNow has generated 1,683 bill of sale documents for Colorado transactions, with 45 generated this month alone. The most popular vehicle type is car.

Where to File — Thornton Title Office

Office

Adams County Motor Vehicle

Address

4430 S Adams County Pkwy, Brighton, CO 80601

Phone

(720) 523-6010

Hours

Mon–Fri 7:30 AM–5:00 PM

Additional requirements in Adams County:

  • Title must be transferred at the Adams County Motor Vehicle office within 60 days
  • Emissions testing required in the Denver metro area
  • Buyer pays sales/use tax at time of title transfer
  • Vehicle specific ownership tax assessed annually

What to Bring to the CO DMV

  • 1Completed, signed truck bill of sale
  • 2Truck title signed over by seller on the back
  • 3Valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license or passport)
  • 4Payment for title transfer fee: $7.20
  • 5Payment for sales tax (8.75% of sale price)
  • 6Odometer disclosure statement (if not included on title)

FAQ — Truck Bill of Sale Requirements in Thornton

What are the required fields on a truck bill of sale in Thornton?
A valid truck bill of sale in Thornton, Colorado must include both parties' full legal names and addresses, sale date, agreed sale price, VIN, year, make, model, and signatures of buyer and seller.
What is the title transfer fee for a truck in Thornton?
The title transfer fee in Adams County is $7.20. The truck sales tax rate is 8.75%. Colorado state rate 2.9% + Adams County 0.75% + Thornton city 3.75% + RTD 1.0% + cultural 0.1%
Is notarization required for a truck bill of sale in Thornton?
No. Colorado does not require notarization for private vehicle sales.
Where do I file a truck title transfer in Thornton?
File the title transfer at the Adams County Motor Vehicle, 4430 S Adams County Pkwy, Brighton, CO 80601. Hours: Mon–Fri 7:30 AM–5:00 PM. Phone: (720) 523-6010.

Trusted by private vehicle sellers nationwide

45% faster sale

Vehicles whose listings include a history report spend ~45% less time on site before selling, and report-viewers are 5x more likely to become a lead.

Source: Experian / AutoCheck

$4,000 avg loss

NHTSA estimates 450,000+ vehicles per year are sold with rolled-back odometers — the average victim loses about $4,000 in downstream repair costs.

Source: NHTSA

17.5M private sales/yr

About 17.5 million private-party vehicle transactions happen in the U.S. each year — roughly 47% of the used market.

Source: Cox Automotive 2024

1 in 3 buyers

Roughly 1 in 3 used-car buyers say they suspect private sellers are hiding mechanical problems — documentation closes that trust gap.

Source: JW Surety Bonds (n=3,000)

$60–$85 mobile notary

Mobile notary visit minimums run $60–$85 — higher on weekends, plus per-mile travel fees. State-formatted documents skip the trip.

Source: Thumbtack / NNA