Free Colorado Free Printable Bill of Sale
Colorado has no official state bill of sale form — a clearly printed or typed bill of sale is fully legally valid for private vehicle sales. The buyer has 60 days from the date of sale to bring the signed bill of sale and title to their county motor vehicle office to complete the transfer and pay applicable taxes; buyers in the Denver metro area must also pass an emissions test before registering.
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Colorado Free Printable Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Primary Form
Standard bill of sale
Primary ID Field
VIN
Sales Tax
0.029%
Title Required
Yes
Inspection
Not required
Sales Tax Details
2.9% state sales/use tax; county and city taxes add 0%–8.5%, so total effective rates range from 2.9% to ~11.4% depending on location.
Inspection Requirements
Emissions testing required in the Denver metro 7-county area for most gasoline-powered vehicles 7 years old or older.
Colorado Free Printable Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Print your bill of sale — include the VIN, year, make, model, odometer reading, sale price, date, and full legal names, addresses, and signatures of both buyer and seller.
- Both buyer and seller sign the bill of sale at the time of the transaction — no notarization or witness is required.
- Seller signs the back of the title over to the buyer, completing all required fields including the odometer disclosure section.
- Print three copies of the signed bill of sale — one for the seller's records, one for the buyer's records, and one to present at the county motor vehicle office.
- If the vehicle will be registered in the Denver metro 7-county area (Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, or Jefferson counties), schedule and pass an emissions test before visiting the county office.
- Buyer brings the signed bill of sale, the signed title, proof of insurance, and valid ID to the county motor vehicle office within 60 days to complete the title transfer.
- Pay the 2.9% state sales/use tax plus applicable county and city taxes at the county motor vehicle office.
Common Pitfalls
- Failing the emissions test (or forgetting to get one) in the Denver metro 7-county area is a common delay — you cannot complete registration without a passing certificate.
- Colorado's 60-day deadline is more lenient than many states, but missing it results in late registration fees.
- Local tax rates in Colorado vary significantly — buyers should look up their specific county and city combined rate before budgeting for the transaction.
- Sellers who do not keep a copy of the signed bill of sale have no proof of the sale if the buyer fails to transfer the title promptly.
- Writing a sale price of $0 or 'gift' when money changed hands is considered tax fraud — CO DMV may assess tax based on NADA book value if the stated price appears unreasonably low.
Colorado Free Printable Bill of Sale — FAQs
Does Colorado require a notarized bill of sale?
No. Colorado does not require the bill of sale to be notarized for a private vehicle sale. Both parties simply sign the document at the time of the transaction.
How many copies of the bill of sale should I print?
Print three copies — one for the seller's records, one for the buyer's records, and one to present at the county motor vehicle office when completing the title transfer.
Which counties in Colorado require an emissions test?
Emissions tests are required in the Denver metro 7-county area: Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, and Jefferson counties. If the vehicle will be registered in any of these counties, the buyer must obtain a passing emissions certificate before registration can be completed.
Is there an official Colorado DMV bill of sale form?
No. Colorado does not have an official mandatory bill of sale form for private vehicle sales. Any clearly written document containing the VIN, sale price, date, vehicle description, and signatures of both parties is legally sufficient.