Colorado Vehicle Bill of Sale

Is a bill of sale required to sell a car in Colorado?

A bill of sale is not required in Colorado if the purchase price and date are recorded directly on the back of the title. However, the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles recommends providing a bill of sale in every transaction and publishes an official Secure Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale form (DR 2173). If the sale price is not listed on the title, a bill of sale is required. The DR 2173 form can also carry the federally required odometer disclosure, making it useful when the title does not have space for the odometer reading.

Does a Colorado bill of sale need to be notarized?

No. Colorado does not require notarization of a vehicle bill of sale or the title assignment for standard private-party transfers. Older Colorado title formats include a notary block, but this can be satisfied by filing a Statement of Transfer (Form DR 2445), which is signed under penalty of perjury instead of before a notary. For current-format titles, no notary is needed.

What taxes and fees does the buyer owe?

Colorado charges a 2.9% state sales tax on the purchase price, plus local county, city, and special district taxes that vary by location. The total combined rate typically ranges from 4% to 8% depending on where the buyer registers the vehicle. Sales tax is collected at the county motor vehicle office at the time of titling. The title transfer fee is $7.20. The buyer must complete the title transfer and registration within 60 days of the purchase date — late fees of $25 per month (up to $100) are assessed on expired temporary plates.

Is a Release of Liability required?

Yes. Colorado requires the seller to file a Release of Liability online within 5 days of selling the vehicle. This notifies the state that the vehicle has changed hands and protects the seller from fines, tolls, and crimes committed with the vehicle after the sale. Failing to file creates real risk — the license plates are tied to the registered owner, not the vehicle, so leaving the plates on the sold vehicle links any future violations back to the seller. The Release of Liability can be filed at the Colorado DMV website.

Are emissions tests required?

Colorado requires an enhanced emissions test for vehicles registered in certain Front Range counties, primarily in the Denver metropolitan area. The seller must provide the buyer with a passing emissions certificate if the buyer lives in an emissions-testing county and the vehicle is more than 7 model years old. The emissions test is separate from the title transfer but must be completed before the vehicle can be registered. Air Care Colorado operates the state's emissions testing program.

What should the seller do after the sale?

The seller must file the Release of Liability online within 5 days and remove their license plates from the vehicle. Colorado plates belong to the owner — the seller can transfer the plates to another vehicle or return them to the county motor vehicle office. A pro-rated credit for remaining registration fees can be applied toward the new vehicle's registration if the plates are transferred. The seller should keep a copy of the signed title and any bill of sale for their records.

What if the vehicle has multiple owners?

If the vehicle is titled to more than one person, all owners on the title must sign the bill of sale. Use the "Add a co-seller" option on the form to add the second seller's name and address. Both sellers' names and signature lines will appear on the document. For electronic signing, each co-owner can sign on the same device in sequence, or the document can be passed from one device to another via QR code or shared link. Both buyers can likewise be named on the bill of sale using the "Add a co-buyer" option.