Create Colorado Side by Side Bill of Sale Online

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

Use this Colorado side by side bill of sale for private-party transfers. The document records the transfer of ownership, sale price, signatures, and the information both parties need for title records.

1,683Colorado bill of sale documents generated on BillOfSaleNow45 this month
Free downloadGet the free Colorado side by side bill of sale template

How to complete a side by side bill of sale in Colorado

⏱ Total time: 3–5 minutes

  1. 1

    Confirm the title is clean

    Before anything else, verify the side by side title is free of liens. Run a VIN history report (NMVTIS, CARFAX) to confirm there are no outstanding loans, theft flags, or salvage brands on the side by side.

    ~5 minutes

  2. 2

    Agree on the price and terms

    Negotiate the sale price, decide whether the sale is as-is or with conditions, and confirm payment method. Get verbal agreement before completing paperwork.

    ~10 minutes

  3. 3

    Enter side by side and party details

    Input both parties' full legal names and addresses, the VIN, year, make, model, color, odometer reading (if applicable), and the agreed sale price.

    ~2 minutes

  4. 4

    Sign the bill of sale — both parties

    Both buyer and seller must sign and date the bill of sale. Colorado may require notarization — confirm your state's rules before signing. Make two copies: one for each party.

    ~1 minute

  5. 5

    Complete the title transfer

    The seller signs the title over to the buyer on the back. The buyer takes the signed title, bill of sale, and any other required documents to the Colorado DMV to complete registration in their name.

    ~30 minutes at DMV

Required information

In Colorado, a bill of sale is a strong seller protection record for private side by side transactions. Include accurate party details, VIN, sale terms, and signatures before the vehicle changes hands.

  • Buyer legal name
  • Seller legal name
  • VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)
  • Sale price
  • Date of sale

Colorado fees, taxes, and transfer rules

In Colorado, vehicle sales are subject to 2.9% state plus local taxes; ownership tax based on age. The title transfer fee is $7.2. Colorado does not require notarization for most private-party vehicle transfers.

  • 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

Does Colorado require a bill of sale?

Colorado sellers should keep a signed bill of sale for private transfers and title records.

Keep a signed bill of sale, complete title transfer promptly, and retain seller records in case of post-sale disputes.

Official DMV guidance: Colorado DMV title transfer information

Official Colorado bill of sale form

The official Colorado bill of sale form is DR 2173 (Bill of Sale for a Motor Vehicle). This is the state-designated form used to document private-party vehicle transfers.

BillOfSaleNow generates a document that meets Colorado requirements and can be used in place of DR 2173. Our form includes all fields required by Colorado law and produces a printable PDF you can submit to your local DMV or keep for your records.

State requirements for Colorado

In Colorado, a vehicle bill of sale is required for private-party transfers. The state charges 2.9% sales tax on vehicle sales, calculated on the sale price. Complete the title transfer at your local DMV promptly after the sale.

Additional Colorado requirements:

  • 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

Common mistakes to avoid

Private-party side by side sales in Colorado go wrong when paperwork is rushed or incomplete. Avoid these costly errors:

  • Incorrect or missing VIN. A VIN is exactly 17 characters with no letters I, O, or Q. Transcribing it wrong is the most common reason Colorado DMV offices reject title paperwork.
  • Forgetting the odometer disclosure. Federal law requires an odometer disclosure on the title for vehicles under 20 years old. Leaving it blank — or writing "exempt" when the vehicle qualifies — can void the sale or trigger fines in Colorado.
  • Missing or incomplete signatures. Both the buyer and seller must sign the bill of sale. In Colorado, an unsigned document has no legal weight. If there are co-owners, every owner listed on the title must sign.
  • Not obtaining a lien release. If there is an outstanding loan on the side by side, the seller must obtain a lien release from the lender before the title can transfer. Buyers should verify the title is clear before handing over payment.
  • Not notifying the Colorado DMV of the sale. Sellers who skip the DMV sale notification remain liable for parking tickets, tolls, and even accidents involving the side by side after it changes hands. File a release-of-liability form with Colorado as soon as the sale closes.
  • Accepting personal checks or informal payment. Personal checks can bounce days after the sale. Use a cashier's check, money order, or verified electronic transfer for the full amount. Document the payment method on the bill of sale.

What happens after the sale

After the sale is complete, the seller should notify the Colorado DMV of the transfer to release liability for the side by side. The buyer must register the side by side and transfer the title within the deadline set by Colorado — failure to do so can result in late fees or penalties. Both parties should keep signed copies of the bill of sale and any supporting documents (odometer disclosure, lien release, etc.) for at least five years. The seller should cancel or transfer their insurance policy on the sold side by side, and the buyer must obtain valid insurance before driving or operating the side by side.

Buyer and seller responsibilities

Buyer responsibilities

  • Verify the VIN on the side by side matches the title and bill of sale before paying.
  • Pay any applicable Colorado sales tax at the time of title transfer.
  • Register the side by side and transfer the title at your local Colorado DMV within the required deadline.
  • Obtain auto insurance before operating the side by side.
  • Keep a signed copy of the bill of sale for your records.
  • Complete an emissions or safety inspection if Colorado requires one for newly transferred vehicles.

Seller responsibilities

  • Sign the title over to the buyer and provide an odometer disclosure.
  • Fill out and sign the bill of sale with accurate sale price, date, and VIN.
  • Provide a lien release if the side by side had an outstanding loan.
  • Notify the Colorado DMV of the sale to release liability.
  • Remove license plates from the side by side if Colorado requires it.
  • Cancel or transfer your insurance policy on the sold side by side.
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Vehicle Sales Tax Calculator

Estimate taxes and fees for your vehicle purchase.

$

Estimated Sales Tax

$232.00

2.9% state rate

Sale price$8,000.00
Sales tax (2.9%)$232.00
Title transfer fee$7.00
Total fees$239.00
Estimated total cost$8,239.00

Sales tax applies; ownership tax also assessed based on vehicle age

2.9% state plus county/city taxes (total 3–10%)

Colorado DMV — verify official rates

Estimate only. Rates vary by county and municipality. Some states tax based on book value rather than purchase price. Verify with your state DMV before completing your transaction.

Frequently Asked Questions

About side by side bills of sale in Colorado

Do I need a bill of sale for a side by side in Colorado?

Yes. Colorado requires a signed bill of sale for private-party side by side transfers. It is needed to complete title transfer at the DMV and to release the seller from future liability. Keep a signed bill of sale, complete title transfer promptly, and retain seller records in case of post-sale disputes.

Does Colorado require notarization on a side by side bill of sale?

Colorado does not require notarization for most private-party side by side bill of sale transactions. However, if the side by side has a lien release or the sale involves a power of attorney, notarization is strongly recommended.

What information is required on a Colorado side by side bill of sale?

A valid Colorado side by side bill of sale must include: full legal names and addresses of both buyer and seller; the vehicle identification number (VIN), year, make, model, color, and odometer reading; the agreed sale price (or a statement of gift); the date of sale; and signatures from both parties. Including the odometer reading is required for most road vehicles under 10 years old under federal law.

What is the sales tax on a side by side sale in Colorado?

Colorado charges 2.9% sales tax on private vehicle sales, calculated on the purchase price and collected at title transfer. The title transfer fee is $7.2. The buyer typically pays sales or use tax at the DMV when registering the side by side in their name. Private-party sales between immediate family members may qualify for a gift exemption — confirm eligibility with the Colorado DMV before the transaction.

How long do I have to transfer the side by side title in Colorado?

Complete the title transfer at your local Colorado DMV promptly after the sale — most states impose a 15–30 day deadline. Failing to transfer the title on time can result in late fees and may leave the seller liable for tickets or incidents involving the side by side. The seller should also notify the Colorado DMV of the sale to release liability.

Can a handwritten side by side bill of sale be used in Colorado?

Yes. A handwritten bill of sale is generally valid in Colorado as long as it includes all required information — both parties' names and addresses, VIN, sale price, date of sale, and signatures. However, a typed or generated document reduces the risk of errors, omissions, and disputes, and is easier to present at the DMV.

Who pays sales tax when selling a side by side privately in Colorado?

In Colorado, the buyer pays sales or use tax on the side by side purchase price at the time of registration and title transfer — not the seller. The bill of sale establishes the taxable purchase price. If the side by side is gifted, a $0 sale price or gift affidavit may be used, but the buyer should verify the Colorado DMV's exemption requirements before the transaction.

What should I do if the side by side still has a lien in Colorado?

If the side by side has an outstanding lien, the lienholder must release the lien before or at the time of sale. The seller should obtain a lien release letter from the lender and include it with the title. The bill of sale should note the payoff amount and the lien release. Never complete a private sale without confirming the title is clear of all liens — buying a side by side with an undisclosed lien can result in repossession.

Is a side by side bill of sale legally binding in Colorado?

A properly signed Colorado side by side bill of sale is a legally binding contract of sale under UCC Article 2 and Colorado motor vehicle transfer law. It documents the agreed purchase price, the parties involved, and the date of transfer. Both buyer and seller should retain a signed original.

Do I need a bill of sale to register a side by side I bought privately in Colorado?

Colorado DMV requires proof of ownership to register a side by side. For a private purchase, this typically means a signed title transfer plus a bill of sale showing the purchase price (for sales tax calculation). Even if the Colorado DMV does not explicitly require a bill of sale, presenting one speeds up the process and avoids disputes about the sale price or transfer date. Colorado DMV registration requirements →

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