Overview
The Specific Ownership Tax still applies at the same rate as any Class C vehicle, based on the bike's original MSRP and age - a new $9,000 motorcycle carries roughly $161 in first-year SOT, more than triple the fixed fees around it. Buying one also triggers the same sales tax and $7.20 title fee as a car purchase. Run your numbers below.
01 - Official fees
Colorado motorcycle fees fees at a glance
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Base registration (motorcycle weight class) | $6.00 | |
| Road Safety Surcharge | $12.30 | |
| Bridge Safety Surcharge | $13.00 | |
| Clerk hire, EMS, insurance & POST fees | $7.50 | |
| MOST fund surcharge | $4.00 | Motorcycle Operator Safety Training |
| Specific Ownership Tax | 2.1%→0.45%→$3 | same schedule as passenger vehicles |
| Title fee (new purchase) | $7.20 |
Figures verified June 2026 against official sources (listed below). Always confirm the final amount with your county motor vehicle office (Colorado DMV sets the rules) - counties can add small local fees.
03 - Same state, other costs
More Colorado vehicle costs
04 - Common questions
Colorado motorcycle fees FAQ
How much does it cost to register a motorcycle in Colorado each year?
About $42.80 in fixed fees - $6 base registration, $12.30 Road Safety Surcharge, $13 Bridge Safety Surcharge, $7.50 in clerk hire/EMS/insurance/POST fees, and a $4 MOST fund surcharge. On top of that sits the Specific Ownership Tax, which depends entirely on the bike's original MSRP and age.
What is the MOST fund surcharge?
A $4 fee added to every motorcycle registration that funds Colorado's Motorcycle Operator Safety Training program - the state's subsidized rider-training courses. It's separate from the small surcharge added to a motorcycle endorsement on your driver's license.
Do motorcycles pay the Specific Ownership Tax like cars?
Yes, at the identical rate schedule - 2.1% of 85% of original MSRP in year one, stepping down to a flat 0.45% for years five through nine and $3 at year ten and beyond. There's no motorcycle discount on SOT.
Does a new motorcycle purchase owe the same sales tax as a car?
Yes - the same state-plus-local combined rate applies, based on your registration address, with the same dealer trade-in credit and bona fide gift exemption rules as any other vehicle purchase.
Are mopeds and scooters registered the same way?
If it's street-legal and titled as a motorcycle or moped, it falls into the same lightest weight bracket and fee stack. Low-power scooters that meet Colorado's specific statutory definition may be exempt from parts of the fee stack, like the EMS fee - check with your county if you're unsure which category your vehicle falls under.
Do motorcycles need emissions testing in the Front Range counties?
Colorado's emissions program targets gasoline and diesel passenger vehicles and light trucks; motorcycles are not part of the standard Air Care Colorado testing requirement, so a bike renewal in a Front Range county skips that step entirely.
05 - Receipts
Official sources
Every number on this page comes from these documents - check them yourself.