Colorado Title Transfer Guide (2026)
| Titling agency | Colorado DMV ↗ |
| Transfer deadline | 60 days from sale |
| Sales / use tax | 2.9% · Sales tax applies; ownership tax also assessed based on vehicle age |
| Bill of sale notary | Not required |
| VIN inspection (out-of-state) | Required · CO requires a VIN inspection (DR 2698) for vehicles titled out-of-state. Inspection can be done at a county motor vehicle office or by law enforcement. |
| Lien release form | DR 2444A |
Colorado title transfer in 8 steps
- 1Gather documents — original title (or duplicate if lost), valid government ID, current registration, lien release (DR 2444A) if applicable, and odometer disclosure for vehicles under 20 years old.
- 2Complete the bill of sale — record buyer + seller full legal names and addresses, vehicle VIN, year, make, model, odometer reading, sale price, and sale date.
- 3Sign the title — seller endorses the title assignment section on the back, fills in buyer info, odometer reading, and sale date. Colorado requires odometer disclosure for vehicles under 15 years old.
- 4Complete VIN inspection — Colorado requires VIN inspection for out-of-state vehicles. Schedule with Colorado DMV or a licensed inspector. CO requires a VIN inspection (DR 2698) for vehicles titled out-of-state. Inspection can be done at a county motor vehicle office or by law enforcement.
- 5Buyer files at Colorado DMV — within 60 days of the sale, the buyer brings the signed title, bill of sale, and ID to Colorado DMV.
- 6Pay tax and fees — 2.9% sales/use tax on the sale price plus any local surtax, plus the title fee ($15-$50).
- 7Receive new title — Colorado DMV issues a new title in the buyer's name (typically by mail within 2-4 weeks).
- 8Seller files release of liability — to remove future ticket/toll responsibility from the seller's record, file a notice of transfer with Colorado DMV the same day as the sale.
Colorado lien release procedure
- Obtain Form DR 2444A from the Colorado DMV or the lienholder.
- Lienholder completes and signs DR 2444A releasing the lien.
- Submit DR 2444A with the existing title and title application at your county motor vehicle office.
- Pay the title fee and receive a clean title.
Inherited vehicle title transfer
Colorado estate transfers require either a small-estate affidavit (for estates below the state threshold, typically $50,000-$150,000) or letters of administration from probate court. The successor presents probate paperwork plus the original title to Colorado DMV.
Need a Colorado bill of sale to complete the transfer?
Compliant with Colorado DMV requirements. From $9 — instant DMV-ready PDF, no signup.
Create Colorado Bill of Sale →Frequently Asked Questions — Colorado
How long do I have to transfer a car title in Colorado?▾
Colorado requires the buyer to file the title transfer within 60 days of the sale date. Missing the deadline triggers late penalties (typically $25-$50) and accrued use tax.
What does a Colorado title transfer cost?▾
Colorado charges 2.9% state sales/use tax on the transfer price plus any local surtax. Sales tax applies; ownership tax also assessed based on vehicle age The title fee itself is typically $15-$50 depending on vehicle class.
Do I need a bill of sale to transfer a title in Colorado?▾
Yes — Colorado requires a written bill of sale documenting the buyer, seller, vehicle (VIN, year, make, model), odometer reading, and sale price. Colorado DMV uses the bill of sale to calculate sales tax and confirm transfer terms.
What if there's a lien on the title in Colorado?▾
In Colorado, the lender must complete DR 2444A confirming lien satisfaction before title transfer. Some lenders provide an electronic release directly to Colorado DMV. The buyer cannot register the vehicle until the lien is cleared.
How do I transfer a title for an inherited vehicle in Colorado?▾
Colorado inherited-vehicle transfers require either a small-estate affidavit or letters of administration depending on estate value. The successor presents probate paperwork plus the original title (or duplicate) to Colorado DMV, along with a bill of sale for any sale to a third party.
Source: Colorado DMV ↗ · Last verified 2026-05-07