Free Colorado As-Is Bill of Sale
Colorado's lemon law (C.R.S. § 42-10-101 et seq.) covers only new vehicles purchased from licensed dealers — private party as-is sales are entirely outside its scope. Colorado UCC C.R.S. § 4-2-316 requires as-is language to be conspicuous in the written agreement to effectively exclude implied warranties of merchantability. An as-is clause also does not protect a seller from fraud claims — knowingly hiding a material defect or lying about the vehicle can still lead to a lawsuit, even in an as-is sale.
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Colorado As-Is Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Sales Tax Details
Colorado's state sales/use tax rate on vehicle purchases is 2.9%. County, city, and special district taxes can significantly increase the effective rate. Buyers pay at the county DMV office at time of title transfer.
Exemption: Certain transfers between immediate family members may qualify for reduced tax treatment; consult the county clerk and recorder.
Inspection Requirements
Colorado requires emissions testing for most gasoline vehicles in the Front Range program area (all or parts of Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, Jefferson, Larimer, and Weld counties). An as-is sale does NOT exempt the vehicle from the emissions test — when the buyer lives in the program area, the seller must give the buyer a passing emissions test at the time of sale. No statewide safety inspection is required for private party sales.
Colorado As-Is Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Print 'THIS VEHICLE IS SOLD AS IS — NO WARRANTIES EXPRESS OR IMPLIED' in bold or all-caps prominently in the bill of sale.
- Disclose all known material defects in writing — an as-is clause does not protect a seller who knowingly hides a defect.
- Complete the federal odometer disclosure on the title or a separate form for vehicles of model year 2011 or newer and under 16,000 lbs GVWR.
- If the vehicle has a salvage or rebuilt title, transfer the correct Colorado title type and disclose the brand in writing on form DR 2710 (Branded Title Disclosure Statement), signed by seller and buyer.
- Sign the back of the Colorado Certificate of Title over to the buyer with sale price, odometer reading, and date.
- If the buyer lives in the Front Range emissions area, give the buyer a passing emissions test at the time of sale — the as-is sale does not waive this requirement.
- Provide the buyer a dated bill of sale with buyer/seller full names, addresses, VIN, year, make, model, and sale price.
- Complete the seller's portion on the title, remove your plates, and report the sale within 5 days with "Report Release of Liability" on myDMV (or at your county motor vehicle office).
Common Pitfalls
- Using inconspicuous as-is language — C.R.S. § 4-2-316 requires the disclaimer to be conspicuous; small-print or buried language can be voided by a court.
- Thinking an as-is clause covers everything — knowingly hiding a material defect or lying about the vehicle can still support a fraud claim, so honest disclosure is essential.
- Failing to disclose a salvage or rebuilt title — Colorado law requires disclosure; concealment can be treated as fraud and can lead to the sale being undone or other legal claims.
- Not providing the passing emissions test the seller owes the buyer in the Front Range emissions area — if the seller knows the vehicle will fail emissions, failing to disclose that fact creates significant fraud exposure.
- Confusing the 2.9% state rate with the total tax — local add-ons can bring the effective rate to 8–10% in some Denver metro areas; buyers should confirm total tax with the county DMV office.
Pro Tip
Colorado's as-is framework is functional for private sellers, but an as-is clause does not shield a seller who hides a known defect, so written disclosure of known defects is non-optional. Provide the passing emissions test for Front Range sales, and ensure your as-is language is bold and prominent.