Overview
Once you're late, it's $25 for that month, another $25 the next, and so on until it hits a $100 ceiling - a structure the legislature has debated changing more than once after drivers were blindsided by the no-grace-period rule on temporary tags. It runs alongside whatever sales tax and Specific Ownership Tax are still due, none of which the late fee replaces. Use the calculator to see your exact total if you're already behind.
01 - Official fees
Colorado title transfer fees at a glance
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Title application fee | $7.20 | $4.00 state + $3.20 county clerk |
| Deadline to title & register | 60 days | from date of purchase, C.R.S. 42-3-103 |
| Late fee, per month or part-month | $25.00 | |
| Late fee cap | $100.00 | regardless of how many months overdue |
| Trailer late fee | $10.00/mo | no cap increase, separate rate |
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.
02 - Step by step
How to transfer a title in Colorado
- 1
Get the title signed over by the seller - Colorado accepts either a notarized signature or a witnessed one at the county counter.
- 2
Complete an odometer disclosure for vehicles under the federal reporting threshold.
- 3
Bring the title, bill of sale, proof of Colorado insurance, and ID to your county motor vehicle office within 60 days.
- 4
Pay the $7.20 title fee plus sales tax, Specific Ownership Tax, and registration in the same visit.
- 5
If you're already past 60 days, the late fee is calculated automatically at the counter - it can't be waived on the spot.
03 - Same state, other costs
More Colorado vehicle costs
04 - Common questions
Colorado title transfer FAQ
How much does a Colorado title transfer actually cost?
The title itself is $7.20. But budget for the full transaction: sales tax at your district's rate, the Specific Ownership Tax for the vehicle's age, and the registration fee stack - the county collects all of it together, not just the title fee alone.
Is there really no grace period if I'm a few days late?
Correct - Colorado's late fee statute doesn't build in a buffer. Drivers who assumed they had extra time on a temporary tag have been charged the $25 fee the very next day after expiration. The only mercy in the system is the $100 cap, so being 5 months late costs the same as being 4.
What's the maximum I could owe in late fees alone?
$100, no matter how long you wait - the fee stops accruing after four months overdue. That's separate from any sales tax, Specific Ownership Tax, or registration fees that were also piling up while the vehicle sat unregistered.
Do I need anything besides the title to transfer ownership?
Yes: a bill of sale showing the price (the county uses it for the sales-tax calculation), an odometer disclosure, proof of Colorado insurance, and your ID. Out-of-state titles may also need a VIN verification if the vehicle wasn't previously registered in Colorado.
Can I file a Colorado title transfer online?
No - new-owner title transfers require an in-person visit to a county motor vehicle office so the clerk can verify the physical title and calculate the Specific Ownership Tax. Only registration renewals (not first-time transfers) are available online.
What if the seller never removes the plates or reports the sale?
Colorado doesn't have a Texas-style seller notification form - the responsibility sits with the buyer to title and register within 60 days. Sellers should keep a signed bill of sale and, where possible, remove and surrender their own plates to limit exposure to the new owner's future violations.
05 - Receipts
Official sources
Every number on this page comes from these documents - check them yourself.