Motor Vehicle
LOCATE IT!
Find city services near your home or business.
 New Colorado Resident Minimize
Motor Vehicle
New Colorado Resident

If you have recently moved to Colorado, you must apply for a Colorado title and registration for your vehicle within 30 days from establishing Colorado residency. Colorado residency is established when one of the following criteria is met:

  • You have obtained employment in Colorado.
  • You own or operate a business in Colorado.
  • You have resided in Colorado continuously for 90 days.

REQUIREMENTS AND STATUTES

You must apply at a Motor Vehicle office in the county where you reside. The following documents will be required:

  1. A Secure and Verifiable Identification is required. Anyone other than a named owner must have a DR2175, Non-secure power of attorney to obtain license plates on behalf of a named owner and present his/her secure and verifiable identification.
  2. Title (if available) and/or current registration. If the registration is more than six months expired at the time of application, you must provide the title or a copy of the title. If a lien exists on an out of state title, the lienholder's name and address must be provided if not shown on the out of state title or registration.
  3. If you live in Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Denver, Douglas, El Paso, Jefferson, Larimer, Pitkin or Weld counties, you must show proof of a Colorado vehicle emissions test. Click the following link for a map of emissions testing stations in the Denver Metro area.
  4. A vehicle identification form, DR 2395, completed by one of the following:
    • County Clerk or Motor Vehicle Agent (at their discretion) 
    • Law enforcement officer. You must contact the local law enforcement agency to ensure that you may be serviced by that agency before you proceed to that office.
    • Licensed Colorado motor vehicle dealer.
    • Licensed Colorado emissions testing station.
  5. A current and accurate odometer reading.
  6. Proof of vehicle insurance coverage (insurance card, copy of insurance policy or letter from your insurance company on the company's letterhead paper).

Once you arrive at the county Motor Vehicle office, you will be required to pay the title and registration fees. Click here for information regarding fees and sales tax.

Your Colorado title will be mailed to you if there are no liens filed against the vehicle. If there is a lien, the title will be mailed to the lienholder. Please allow 4 to 6 weeks for delivery.

Once you have completed the above requirements and have purchased your license plates you are responsible for them. Click here for more information Did You Know?
 Print   
3-1-1 Home