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Titles & Registration
- Registration Requirements
- Insurance Requirements
- Purchasing
- License Plates
- Persons with Disabilities
- Manufactured Homes
Registration Requirements
All motor vehicles and trailers owned and operated by a Colorado resident must be registered. A named owner's secure and verifiable identification information is required to be presented for all new registration transactions. View a checklist of items required by clicking here (PDF).
Establishing Residency
- Obtain employment in Colorado
- Own or operate a business in Colorado
- Reside in Colorado continuously for 90 days
Additional Requirements and Information
- A Colorado based business, with branch offices in other states, may NOT title and register the business vehicle in Colorado unless the vehicles are physically located in the state.
- A Letter of Authorization or a Corporate Resolution to Borrow / Grant Collateral Letter granting permission for the agent to act on behalf of a company is required to complete a new registration transaction.
- Motor Vehicle registration must be completed within 90 days after becoming a resident of Colorado.
- Motor Vehicle registrations must be completed within 60 days after purchase of a vehicle to avoid late fees of $25.00 per month, with a $100.00 max late fee.
- Vehicle must be physically located in Colorado to register a vehicle. Colorado address is mandatory as the legal address.
- A Post Office Box (PO Box) is not acceptable as a legal address but may be used as a mailing address.
Application Requirements
All applications for vehicle registrations must be made in the County Motor Vehicle Office in the county of residence. Criteria used to establish residency in the county is:
- Business Address: Used when registering a business vehicle that is in the business name and where the vehicle is primarily operated and maintained.
- Primary Place of Residence: Used when registering a personal vehicle.
- Proof of Insurance.
- When the place of residence or business address does not apply, the address where the vehicle is primarily domiciled and maintained may be used.
Vehicle Already Registered? Try MyDMV Online
Insurance Requirements
Colorado Law requires that if you drive a motorized vehicle on public roads, it must be insured. Insurance companies are required to be licensed or authorized to sell insurance in Colorado.
C.R.S. 42-7-604 requires the State of Colorado to contract with a provider to develop and maintain a database of insured vehicles. Any insurance company that writes vehicle liability policies in Colorado is required to report new policyholders and canceled policies at least monthly to the provider.
C.R.S. 42-3-105(1)(d)(I), effective July 1999, states that County Clerk & Recorder office shall not register a motor vehicle unless the applicant has a complying motor vehicle policy pursuant to Part 6 of Article 4 of Title 10 C.R.S. or a certificate of self-insurance in full force.
Documents for Proof of Insurance
- Current Insurance Card.
- Copy of Insurance Policy.
- Letter on insurance company letterhead.
- Faxed copy of the insurance card, binder, or policy.
- E-mail sent from insurer
- Any of the above visible on your smartphone in the office at the time of registration.
Types of Acceptable Insurance Policies
- Vehicle specific insurance that lists the year, make, VIN, and indicated coverage dates.
- Self insurance for the owner of 25 or more vehicles that is issued by the State Commissioner.
- Blanket or Operator insurance which covers a driver of any vehicle they operate.
- Broad form insurance or Owner insurance that covers all vehicles owned by a person or business.
Affidavit of Non-Use
Colorado residents with a vehicle which is not operational, or is not in use for an extended period of time, should complete Form DR2303 (Affidavit of Non-Use) by clicking here (PDF), and submit it with the registration request. The "non-use" status would remain in effect for one renewal cycle or upon re-insuring the vehicle. Vehicle registration must be kept current, even if using a non-use form, to avoid late fees.
Visit the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies for further information regarding automobile insurance requirements, additional coverage, recent news, and other helpful insurance topics.
For additional registration requirements visit the Colorado Department of Revenue site.
Information on this page:
- Purchasing from an Individual
- Purchasing from a Colorado Dealership with Financing
- Purchasing from a Dealership (In Colorado or Out-of-State) without Financing
REMINDER: Registration of a vehicle must be obtained within 60 days from purchase [C.R.S. 42-3-103(1)(a)] or within 90 days of becoming a resident of Colorado.
Purchase from an Individual
If you purchased your vehicle from an individual, you must submit the following documents:
- A current title properly endorsed by the previous owner(s) to the purchaser.
- If the vehicle has an out-of-state title, a completed VIN Verification Form - DR2698 (PDF).
- If the title doesn't have a space on the title assignment for a purchase price, a bill of sale is recommended.
- Proof of current insurance; must reflect year, make, and VIN of vehicle being registered.
- Insurance CANNOT be in the prior owners name.
- Secure and Verifiable Identification - click here (PDF) for acceptable types of Identification.
- If the vehicle is being financed, a copy of the loan document (Security Agreement or Chattel Mortgage).
- If there is more than one owner of the vehicle, all owners are required to declare their intent to have the Certificate of Title issued in Joint Tenancy with Rights of Survivorship. Click here for Form DR2395 (PDF).
NOTE: This list includes the basic forms which are required. Additional documentation may be required after paperwork is reviewed.
Purchase from a Colorado Dealership with Financing
If the vehicle was purchased from a Colorado dealership with financing, the dealership sends the documentation to the Motor Vehicle Office for processing. Once processed, a Title Complete Notice will be mailed to you.
Purchase from a Colorado or Out-of-State Dealership without Financing
If you purchased your vehicle from a dealership with NO financing, the dealership will usually send you the required documents (see list below). In some instances, the dealership will have you pick up the documents or they will submit them to the Motor Vehicle Office. If the paperwork is submitted to the Motor Vehicle Office, you will receive a Title Complete Notice once it has been processed.
- A current title properly endorsed by the previous owner(s) to the purchaser.
- If the vehicle has an out-of-state title, a completed VIN Verification Form - DR2698 (PDF). If the vehicle was purchased from an out-of-state dealership, you will need to have this form completed.
- A Dealer Bill of Sale (Form DR2407) if purchased from a Colorado dealership.
- Sales tax receipt if purchased from a Colorado dealership or a purchase order/bill of sale if purchased from an out-of-state dealership.
- Proof of current insurance; must reflect year, make, and VIN of vehicle being registered.
- Insurance CANNOT be in the prior owners name.
- Secure and Verifiable Identification - click here (PDF) for acceptable types of Identification.
- If the vehicle is being financed, a copy of the loan document (Security Agreement or Chattel Mortgage).
- A completed Application for Colorado Title (download form DR2395 (PDF) here). If there is more than one owner on the vehicle, all owners are required to declare their intent to have the Certificate of Title issued in Joint Tenancy with Rights of Survivorship. If purchased from an out-of-state dealership, this form can be completed by the Motor Vehicle Office at the time of Title/Registration.
NOTE: This list includes the basic forms which are required. Additional documentation may be required after paperwork is reviewed.
Title Complete Notice
After the dealership or financial organization submits the title work to the Motor Vehicle Office, a Title Complete Notice (white postcard) will be mailed to notify the vehicle owner(s) that the title work has been processed. Plates can then be purchased.
If you have not received a Title Complete Notice and your temporary tag is nearing expiration, contact the title clerk at the dealership and ask for the date when the Motor Vehicle Office signed for the paperwork. Visit our office and provide the date, the dealership name, proof of Colorado insurance, and Secure and Verifiable Identification (PDF) to register your vehicle.
License Plates
REMINDER: As of January 1st, 2022, Colorado Law (SB21-069) states Type-C vehicle owners (passenger cars, non-commercial light trucks and motorcycles) may not transfer license plates from one vehicle to another, or keep their current license plate sequence, on newly purchased vehicles without paying an additional fee. For more information you can call (303) 205-5608. Full text of the new law can be viewed on the Colorado General Assembly site here.
Basic Types of Colorado License Plates
Most vehicles in Colorado must have license plates, including;
- Passenger vehicles, Trucks, and Motorcycles.
- Trailers & Boat Trailers (Boats are registered with the Colorado Division of Wildlife or the Park Service).
- Motorhomes.
All license plates must also have registration validation tabs which you will receive when you register your vehicle or renew your registration.
NOTE: In Colorado, depending on the type of vehicle you have, plates may be required on both the Front and Back of your vehicle, or just the rear.
Special Types of Colorado License Plates
The Colorado Department of Revenue issues both standard and specialty plates including;
- Personalized
- Organizational
- Military Honors
- Alumni
The Colorado Department of Revenue also issues license plates and placards for disabled parking. Click the Disabilities tab at the top for more information.
For a full list of available plates, visit the Colorado Department of Revenue website here.
Temporary Tags or Permit
If you purchase a vehicle from a licensed dealer, they can issue you temporary tags so you can drive until you get your Colorado license plates. The temporary tag can be extended by the dealership, if your dealer paperwork is delayed.
If you purchased a vehicle privately and will be registering the vehicle in another County or outside the State of Colorado, you can possibly get a short term “Trip Permit” so you will be able to legally drive the vehicle. Trip Permits are issued for the length of time it will take the buyer to return to your destination only.
Any other Temporary Permits will be issued, where permissible, at the discretion of the Gunnison County Clerk’s office
You will need the following documents:
- The Title Certificate.
- Any other documents the seller provided such as an odometer disclosure.
- Proof of insurance.
- Secure and Verifiable Identification - click here (PDF) for acceptable types of Identification.
- Payment.
Contact the Gunnison County Motor Vehicle Office at (970) 641-1602 for additional information. Note that this information is County specific. If you have questions regarding another County, contact that counties Motor Vehicle Office.
Persons with Disabilities
The State of Colorado issues license plates and placards to qualified persons with disabilities to park in reserved spaces. Disability parking is provided to assure that individuals requiring additional space to enter or exit their vehicles have the needed space and provide parking as close to the main entrance of a facility. The disability privilege allows a qualifying individual to park in any space marked with the International Symbol of Access.
A person with a disability may apply for:
- An identifying placard to be prominently displayed on a motor vehicle used to transport such person with a disability.
- A distinguishing license plate to be displayed on a motor vehicle owned by such a person.
- If the person with a disability is also a Disabled Veteran as determined by C.R.S. 42-3-213(5), that person may elect to display the Handicap Disabled Veteran license plate. All forms are listed under Disabled Veteran Handicapped button.
- A Persons with Disabilities Personalized (DR 2497) (PDF) license plate.
Identifying license plates or placards shall be issued to such a person by submitting a completed DR2219 - Persons with Disabilities Parking Privileges Application (PDF) to the County Motor Vehicle Office. The application must be signed by the applicant or representative and a medical professional's validation.
To be considered "disabled" and eligible for Persons with Disabilities license plates and/or placards, the applicant must meet one of the criteria below and have it verified in writing by a Professional*.
- Mobility: Persons who cannot walk two-hundred feet without stopping to rest.
- Assisted Mobility: Persons who cannot walk without the use of, or assistance from, a brace, cane, crutch, another person, prosthetic device, wheelchair, or other assistive device.
- Respiratory: Persons who are restricted by lung disease to such an extent that the person's forced (respiratory) expiratory volume for one second when measured by spirometry is less than one liter, or the arterial oxygen tension is less that sixty mm/hg on room air or at rest.
- Oxygen: Persons who use portable oxygen.
- Cardiac: Persons who have a cardiac condition to the extent that the person's functional limitations are classified in severity as Class III or IV according to the standards of the American Heart Association.
- Other: Persons who are severely limited in their ability to walk due to arthritic, neurological, or orthopedic condition.
Replacement Placards
Persons with Disabilities Placards may be replaced to the original applicant with the same expiration date as the originally issued placard without a new verification from a medical professional. If the placard has been lost, stolen, mutilated, or otherwise damaged and a replacement placard is being requested prior to the expiration date, the damaged or mutilated placards should be surrendered to the Authorized Agent for replacement. Provide a copy of the DR2574 Registration Receipt for the placard being replaced as proof for replacement validation.
Customer may elect to be issued a new placard, re-setting their three (3) year certification date by completing a DR2219 Persons with Disabilities Parking Privileges Application (PDF) with a medical professional's validation.
Manufactured Homes
A manufactured home is considered to be any wheeled pre-constructed building equipped with living quarters and not licensed. Must show length and width.
Effective July 1st, 2008, due to passage of HB08-1260, documents required on manufactured home transactions will be recorded with the Clerk & Recorder's office and will become public record. Additional forms and fees may be applicable.
Buying or Selling a Manufactured Home
The below process has been outlined to help make sure you have the proper documentation and have followed the correct order to complete this process.
Title a USED Manufactured Home:
- Obtain from the County Treasurer's office:
- Tax Authentication Document: You must obtain a Tax Authentication form from the county's Treasurer's Office showing no past due taxes. All outstanding taxes must be pad at this time.
- Fees: $10.00
- Submit to the county Motor vehicle department within 30 days of purchase:
- Tax Authentication from the Treasurer's Office.
- Manufactured Home Transfer Declaration (Picked up from the Motor Vehicle Department, to be completed for Recording).
- Loan Documents, if applicable.
- Manufactured Home Bill of Sale (Picked up from the Motor Vehicle Department, to be completed for Recording).
- Ownership Documents (Title, Court Order, etc.)
- Fees: $7.20 Title Transfer Fee
If you are Purging the Manufactured Home to the property you will also need:
- Form DR 2180 (Owner's Request to Purge) located on this page. The form must be signed by the Assessor's Office prior to submitting to the County Clerk's Office.
- Form DR 2171 (Lender's Request to Purge) located on this page. The form must be signed by the lender prior to submitting to the Motor Vehicle department.
- Submit to Recording Office:
- Manufactured Home Transfer Declaration (MHTD) (if applicable).
- This form must be completed and signed by the buyer or seller if there is a transfer of ownership.
- Manufactured Home Title
- Copy of Front & Back plus Application for Title provided by the Motor Vehicle Department.
- Fees: $13.00 first page, $5.00 each additional page.
- Manufactured Home Transfer Declaration (MHTD) (if applicable).
If you are Purging the Manufactured Home to the Property, you will also need:
- Letter of Purged Ad Valorem (Note: IT can take several business days for the Owner to receive the Letter of Purge Ad Valorem from the Colorado Department of Revenue after forms DR 2180 and/or DR 2171 are submitted).
- Certificate of Permanent Location: This form must be completed, signed, and notarized.
NOTES: Manufactured Home permanently affixed to a land located in incorporated cities and towns must have a signature of the authorized city or town building inspector or designated official on the Certificate of Permanent Location (when this form is required). In unincorporated areas of Gunnison County, the County Assessor's office is responsible for determining if the manufactured home is on a permanent foundation. The Assessor's Office IS NOT responsible for determining if either the home or the foundation does or will meet any building, plumbing, or electrical codes.
To Move your Manufactured Home
Follow the below steps and have available the below forms when moving your manufactured home.
- Notify the Assessor and Treasurer's Office in the county where the manufactured home is located.
- If the manufactured home is permanently affixed, a Certificate of Removal (PDF) and a new title will be required (C.R.S. 38-29-203).
- The County Assessor/Treasurer will issue an authentication form and a transportable manufactured home permit. The permit is an orange placard that must be prominently displayed on the rear of the manufactured home during transit.
- NOTE: If the move is along state highways you must also get a moving permit from the Colorado Department of Transportation.
- If a person has titled a manufactured home properly in the county where it is located, and then moves the manufactured home to another location or county, there is no need for a title change as long as the owner remains the same.
- The owner shall file a notice of any change of location with the county Assessor and Treasurer's office where the manufactured home is located, within 20 days after such a change of location occurs. If such a notice is NOT filed, a penalty of fifty ($50.00) dollars shall be assessed and collected at the time of discovery of the change of location (C.R.S. 38-29-143).
Real Property (Permanent Dwelling) - Not Titled
All transactions related to a manufactured home placed on a permanent location will require a visit to the Department of Motor Vehicle's for the county where the manufactured home is located. The office will process the request from the owner (with the lien holder's approval, if applicable) that a manufactured home is now real property, State records will be marked "Purged Ad Valorem", and a letter of verification will be sent to the requester of the purge. This letter of verification and a completed Certificate of Permanent Location (PDF) (C.R.S. 38-29-202), a copy of the purged title or MSO, and Bill of Sale will be required to be submitted to the Department of Motor Vehicle's office for processing. Recording fees will be required to complete the process as listed.
- The Certificate of Permanent Location (PDF) - $13.00
- Photo-copy of the ownership document - $5.00 per page
- Bill of Sale (if a new home) - $5.00 per page
The County Clerk shall forward information to the County Assessor (C.R.S. 38-29-207). If the home was considered affixed and taxed as real property through the Assessor's Office prior to July 1st, 2008, an Affidavit of Real Property (PDF) may be used to identify the correct status of the home for further financing or property transfers. The Affidavit of Real Property is not required to be recorded by statute unless the home is removed by the property.
Destruction of a Manufactured Home
Follow the below steps and have available the below forms when moving your manufactured home.
- A completed Certificate of Destruction (PDF) is required (C.R.S. 38-29-204)
- Receive consent and lien release from the lien holder or secured party if applicable on the Certificate of Destruction.
- Notify the Department of Motor Vehicle's Office of the destruction. Verification of titled owner or previous Purge Ad Valorem will be completed.
- Notify the Assessor and Treasurer's Office in the county where the home is located.
- The County Assessor/Treasurer will issue an authentication form and a transportable manufactured home permit. The permit is an orange placard that must be prominently displayed on the rear of the manufactured home during transit.
- NOTE: If the move is along state highways you must also get a moving permit from the Colorado Department of Transportation.
- Receive verification signatures from the authorized agent verifying destruction of the manufactured home.
- Submit the Certificate of Destruction and Certificate of Removal (if previously affixed) to the Department of Motor Vehicle Office. Recording fees will be collected at that time.
- The County Clerk shall forward information to the County Assessor and the Colorado Department of Revenue - Title Department (C.R.S. 38-29-207).