Vehicle registration requirements - Colorado

License plate display

Vehicles issued two license plates must display one on the front and one on the rear of the vehicle. The license plate issued to trailers, semitrailers, mobile machinery or self-propelled construction equipment is displayed on the rear. The rear license plate must be mounted at the approximate center of the vehicle measured horizontally and mounted on or within 18 inches of the rear bumper.

International Registration Plan

Colorado is a member of the International Registration Plan (IRP). The IRP is a base state system for vehicle registration fees allowing a carrier to apply for vehicle registration and pay all fees to a single jurisdiction.

Motor vehicles that qualify for apportionment consist of the following:

• A power unit having two axles and a gross vehicle weight (GVW) or registered weight in excess of 26,000 pounds;
• A power unit having three or more axles, regardless of weight; or
• A unit used in combination when the weight of such combination exceeds a GVW or 26,000 pounds.

Temporary permit: Some carriers may be eligible for a temporary cab card. Contact the Department of Revenue, Division of Motor Vehicles, for more information.

Hunter's or laden weight trip permit: If a commercial vehicle requiring apportionment isn't apportioned for Colorado, but occasionally does business within the state, a laden weight trip permit should be purchased at the first port facility. These permits are valid for 72 hours. The operator may make as many trips in, out, or through the state as necessary within the valid time frame.

Agency: Colorado Department of Revenue, Division of Motor Vehicles.

Fees: Fees aren't a flat rate fee per jurisdiction; instead, the registration fees are calculated for each apportioned jurisdiction based on the apportionment percentage and the gross vehicle weight selected for each jurisdiction. Some jurisdictions also include an ad-valorem type fee based on other criteria.

Fees

For-hire carriers: Each vehicle that has an empty weight exceeding 16,000 pounds and is used in the operations of a common or contract carrier for-hire will be charged a registration fee based on the declared gross vehicle weight. The registration fee typically ranges from $440 to $2,350.

Private carriers having an empty weight exceeding 16,000 pounds: Each vehicle that has an empty weight exceeding 16,000 pounds will be charged a registration fee based on the declared gross vehicle weight. The registration fee typically ranges from $330 to $1,975.

Vehicles traveling less than 10,000 miles annually: Each vehicle that has an empty weight exceeding 16,000 pounds and is operated less than 10,000 miles in all jurisdictions each year will be charged a registration fee based on the declared gross vehicle weight. The registration fee typically ranges from $330 to $710.

Public utility vehicles: A public utility owning or operating a utility truck having an empty weight in excess of 10,000 pounds that wants to operate the vehicle over Colorado highways may elect to pay an annual registration fee for such a vehicle computed at the rate of $10 per ton of vehicle weight.

Light trucks: For trucks and truck tractors operated over Colorado highways with an empty weight of up to (and including) 16,000 pounds will be charged a registration fee based on the empty weight of the vehicle, computed to the nearest pound. The registration fee typically ranges from $7.60 to $233.

Colorado age fee for all power units: Passenger cars, station wagons, taxicabs, ambulances, motor homes, and hearses will be charged an additional registration fee based on the age of the motor vehicles. A vehicle less than seven years old will be charged $12, a vehicle older than seven years old but less than 10 will be charged $10, and a vehicle over 10 years old will be charged $7.

Bridge safety surcharge: A bridge safety surcharge ranging from $13 to $32 is imposed on vehicle registration based upon vehicle weight.

Road safety surcharge: A road safety surcharge ranging from $16 to $39 is imposed on vehicle registration based upon vehicle weight.

Road and bridge fee: A county road and bridge fee is imposed at a rate of 94 cents. The fee is adjusted annually until June 30, 2026. The fee is collected for the maintenance of county highways, roads, and bridges.

Colorado additional registration fee: A 50 cent insurance fee is charged to vehicles that aren't exempt from the Motorist Insurance Identification Database fee. Exempt vehicles are only charged 10 cents.

Pubic highway authority fee: A public highway authority fee is collected annually for vehicles registered within public highway authority boundaries. The fee is no more than $10.