Vehicle Licensing Taxes and Fees

Starting January 1st, 2023, Colorado residents will be charged $29 for a Keep Colorado Wild Pass during their annual vehicle registration. Residents can opt-out or decline the pass annually when registering a passenger vehicle, light truck, motorcycle, and/or recreational vehicle. Click here for more details.

This page explains the costs associated with titling and registration activities, including sales tax, registration, licensing fees, and other related expenses.

Title Fee

The fee to obtain a new title is $7.20.

Filing Fee

If the vehicle is financed, filing fees will be required to file a copy of your security agreement or chattel mortgage. Filing fees are $5 per side (8.5 x 14-inch page or smaller) or $10 per side for oversized pages.

For further information regarding the actual process of titling vehicles, visit the titling information page.

Duplicate Titles

The fee to obtain a duplicate title is $8.20.

For further information regarding duplicate titles, visit the duplicate title page.

Dealer for Resale Titles

Dealer Resale titles are issued for a fee of $25. If the supporting document is out-of-state, the county can not issue titles on the same day. All out-of-state titles must be checked through the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System program in the State Title Section. The title will be verified and mailed from the State.

Sales Tax Rates

Sales taxes are due one time after a new or used vehicle purchase at the time your vehicle is titled. The amount due is a percentage of the purchase price and is based on the taxing jurisdiction of the buyer and seller. Because of the different cities and taxing jurisdictions within Larimer County, the sales tax rates will vary. Use our sales tax calculator and city limits locator to help determine your sales tax for a new or used vehicle purchase.

Purchase from a Dealer

Either a portion or all applicable sales taxes are collected by your dealer. The percentage collected by your dealer is based on location. Any unpaid sales taxes are collected by the Larimer County Vehicle Licensing Office. Any outstanding sales tax must be collected before your vehicle is titled. If your vehicle is financed the applicable sales tax should have been collected when the vehicle was purchased. Sales tax is calculated on the net purchase price (which is the total purchase price less the amount allowed by a dealer for any trade-in).

Purchase from a Private Party

All sales taxes are collected by the Larimer County Vehicle Licensing Division when a vehicle is purchased from a private party.

Sales Tax Calculator

Use our sales tax calculator to help you determine the proper sales tax rates for your new or used vehicle purchase. Details such as purchase price will be required and you must also know if you live inside city limits.

With the launch of the new DRIVES statewide registration system, vehicle owners are now provided an itemized receipt containing all fees paid during a registration transaction. The information below provides information on these common fees that are collected when a vehicle is registered for the first time, or the registration is renewed.

Specific Ownership Taxes (SOT)

These taxes are based on the year of manufacture of the vehicle and the original taxable value, which is determined when the vehicle is new and does not change throughout the life of the vehicle. SOT is distributed into each county’s general fund with the exception of $0.50 that is distributed to the Colorado DRIVES Vehicle Services Account (formerly known as CSTARS fund) in the Highway Users Tax Fund (HUTF) pursuant to C.R.S. 42-3-107(22).

• SOT paid for each year is listed on the back of the registration card
• SOT is in lieu of personal property tax. Vehicles do not need to be operated in order to be assessed this tax
• The SOT rate is assessed on the original taxable value and year of service
• For further information on SOT, review the SOT fee tables

Age of Vehicle

Less than seven years old- $12, seven to nine years old- $10, and 10- years and older- $7.00, pursuant to C.R.S. 42-3-304(9), 42-3-304(10) and C.R.S. 42-3-306(2)(b)(II). This fee is distributed to the Highway User Tax Fund (C.R.S. 43-4-201)

Clerk Hire Fee

$4.00 on all registration transactions, pursuant to C.R.S. 42-1-210. This fee is distributed to the County Clerk and Recorder.

County Road and Bridge

$1.50 for all motor vehicles and trailers greater than 2,000 pounds and $2.50 for motorcycles, trailers less than 2,000 pounds, and trailer coaches, pursuant to C.R.S. 42-3-310. This fee is distributed to the County Road and Bridge Fund.

Electric and Hybrid Fees

In addition to other taxes and fees, these fees are collected in accordance with the Sustainability Of The Transportation System Act (SB 21-260):

• Electric Vehicle Registration Fee - $51.88
• Commercial Electric Road Usage - 10,00 to 16,000 lbs - $50
• Commercial Electric Road Usage - 16,000 to 26,000 lbs - $100
• Commercial Electric Road Usage - More than 26,000 lbs - $150

Electric Motor Vehicle Road Usage fees are as follows:

Emissions - Area Air Account

This $1.50 fee is assessed to every item of Class A, B and C personal property required to be registered in the emissions program area, pursuant to C.R.S. 42-3- 304(18)(b). This fee is distributed to the AIR Account and used for emissions program enforcement efforts and administration of the program by the Department of Public Health and Environment and the Department of Revenue.

Emissions - Program County Area

$0.70 fee is assessed to every item of Class A, B and C personal property required to be registered, regardless of whether it is subject to emissions, pursuant to C.R.S. 42-3-304(18)(a). This fee is distributed to the County Clerk and Recorder.

Emissions - Statewide Air Account

This $0.50 fee is assessed on every item of Class A, B and C personal property required to be registered, regardless of whether it is subject to emissions, pursuant to C.R.S. 42-3-304(18)(a). This fee is distributed to the AIR Account.

Emergency Medical Services

$2.00 to all vehicles, except trailers and Low- Power Scooters, pursuant to C.R.S. 42-3-304(21). This fee is distributed to the Emergency Medical Services Account, pursuant to C.R.S. 42-3-304(21).

Insurance Fee

$0.50 fee is charged to vehicles that are not exempt from the Motorist Insurance Identification Database fee (vehicles which have qualified as self-insured), C.R.S. 42-3- 304(1)(b). This fee is retained in the DRIVES Account.

Peace Officer Standardized Training (POST) Fee

$1.00 for all Tax Class A, B and C vehicles, pursuant to C.R.S. 42-3-304(24). $0.95 of this fee is distributed to the POST Board and $0.05 is retained by the County Clerk and Recorder, pursuant to C.R.S. 42-3-304(24).

Material Fees

Year tab ($0.33), month tab ($0.30) and license plates (on issuance- embossed set $5.83, digital set $9.40), pursuant to C.R.S. 42-3-301. This fee is retained in the License Plate Cash Fund and covers the cost of manufacturing and distributing these materials.

Motorist Insurance Information Database (MIIDB)

$0.10 on Class A, B, and C vehicles and low power scooters, pursuant to C.R.S. 42-3-304(1) and C.R.S. 42-3-304(18)(d)(I). This fee is distributed to the DRIVES Vehicle Services Account.

Registration Base Fee

Is based on the weight of a vehicle. Fees are pursuant to C.R.S. 42-3-306(2). This fee is distributed to the Highway User Tax Fund.

Funding Advancement for Surface Transportation Economic Recovery (FASTER) fees (Listed as Road Safety and Bridge Safety)

were created with Senate Bill 09-108. For further information, review the FASTER fee tables. These fees are distributed to the Bridge Special Fund and the Highway User Tax Fund.

Additional fees may be assessed based on vehicle type, license plate type selected, and fuel type. To view license plate options, see the FAQ section at the bottom of this page.

Registration Fee Calculator

The Registration Fee Calculator can be used to determine registration fees on recently purchased vehicles.

Registration renewals

must be completed by vehicle owners within the expiration time frame including the one-month grace period, or late fees of $25.00 per month—up to a total of $100.00 per vehicle—will be assessed.

New vehicle purchases

must be registered within 60 days, or late fees will be assessed beginning on the 61st day after the purchase date if the vehicle still needs to be registered. Failure to register on time can result in late fees of $25.00 per month—up to $100.00 per vehicle.

New Colorado residents

must complete vehicle registration within 90 days after becoming a resident of Colorado. For further information regarding the criteria used to determine residency, visit the residency requirements page. Failure to register on time can result in late fees of $25.00 per month—up to a total of $100.00 per vehicle.(CRS 42-3-103 (4)(a))

Non-Motorized Vehicles

The penalty for late registration of any non-motorized vehicle that weighs more than 2,000 pounds but not more than 16,000 pounds, and any camper trailer or multi-purpose trailer regardless of its weight, is $10.00.

Late Fee Waiver

There are instances when the registration late fees may be waived.

• If the owner of a vehicle who is active in the military is serving outside Colorado when the registration grace period expires and the vehicle has not been operated on any public highway in Colorado between the time the registration period expired, including the grace period and the time the vehicle is registered.
• If a vehicle is used to operate a commercial business as part of the normal operation of the business is exempt from late fees if the vehicle has not been operated on any public highway in Colorado for one full registration period.
• If a vehicle was reported as stolen and then recovered.

The $10.00 late fee is not eligible for the late fee waiver or reduction authorized pursuant to HB10-1212, except for commercial vehicle trailers and farm vehicle trailers. See commercial definitions, example below or C.R.S. 42-3-112(1,5)(b) for additional details.

"Commercial Vehicle" means a vehicle used to transport cargo or passengers for profit, hire, or otherwise to further the purposes of a business or commercial enterprise. (C.R.S. 42-1-102(17.5))

The $10.00 late fee may be reduced or waived on this commercial trailer.

Temporary Permits for Private Party Purchases

The permit fee is $7.03 for cars, trucks, trailers, and other passenger-type vehicles. This fee includes the permit ($2.00), mounting board ($1.03), and clerk hire fee ($4.00).

The permit fee for a motorcycle is $6.58. This fee includes the permit ($2.00), mounting board ($0.58), and clerk hire fee ($4.00).

Any applicable sales tax must be paid before a temporary permit can be issued.

For further information regarding temporary permits, visit the temporary permits page.

Replacement License Plates

Regular Colorado Plates (two plates) cars, trucks, etc. The cost to replace a regular embossed set of license plates is $8.73. This fee includes two embossed license plates ($4.36), a year tab ($0.22), a month tab ($0.15), clerk hire fee of ($4.00).

Regular Motorcycle Plate The cost to replace a regular single embossed motorcycle plate is $6.55. This fee includes one embossed license plate ($2.18), a year tab ($0.22), a month tab ($0.15), clerk hire fee of ($4.00).

Regular Trailer Plate The cost to replace a regular single embossed trailer plate is $6.55. This fee includes one embossed license plate ($2.18), a year tab ($0.22), a month tab ($0.15), clerk hire fee of ($4.00).

Persons with Disabilities The cost to replace a digital set of license plates is $12.06. This fee includes two embossed license plates ($7.69), a year tab ($0.22), a month tab ($0.15), clerk hire fee of ($4.00).

To view any fees associated with specialty license plates see the FAQ section at the bottom of this page.

Replacement License Decal(s)

Month and year tabs can be replaced as needed.

If the year and month tabs need to be replaced, the cost is $4.37. This fee includes the clerk hire fee of ($4.00), a year tab ($0.22), and a month tab ($0.15).

• The clerk hire fee is retained by the County Clerk and Recorder. (C.R.S. 42-1-210)
• The tab fees are distributed to the License Plate Cash Fund and cover the cost of manufacturing and distributing these materials. (C.R.S. 42-3-301)

If only the year tab needs replacement, the cost is $4.22.

VIN Verification

A VIN Verification can be performed by our office for the cost of $25.

Notary Services

Notary Services are provided in our office at the cost of $5.00 per notarized document.

Credit/Debit Card Convenience Fee

Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover are accepted as one of the payment options. An additional portal fee of .75 cents per transaction plus 2.25% will be charged on both Credit and Debit cards or $1.00 for electronic check payments.

Colorado.gov as a third party working in partnership with the State of Colorado receives no federal, state or local tax dollars, and therefore Portal Administration fees are used to develop, maintain, pay for overhead costs, and enhance the state's official web portal. This is made possible with a contract administered under the authority of Colorado's Statewide Internet Portal Authority as designated in statute (CRS 24-37.7-101, et seq)

Additional information regarding electronic payments should be directed to Colorado Interactive at (303) 534-3468 or email to support@www.colorado.gov.

Self-Service Kiosk

There is a $3.95 service fee for every vehicle renewed at the kiosk. This fee pays for the technology and is not assessed or retained by Larimer County. Additionally, there is a $0.50 convenience fee to pay using a check, or a 2.3% fee to pay via credit or debit card.

Duplicate Registration

A duplicate registration can be created for a cost of $4.00

FAQs

The links below will take you to the Department of Revenue website where different plate varieties can be found. Some plates cost more and may have additional requirements or donations.
Regular License Plates
Group Special License Plates
Military License Plates
Alumni License Plates
Print on Demand License Plates
Other License Plates

The following table shows how fees are split between Larimer County and the Colorado Department of Revenue.