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How to Fill Out a Bill of Sale in Colorado

A step-by-step guide to every field on a Colorado vehicle bill of sale — with a free filled-in example you can download instantly.

Colorado's DR 2173 bill of sale feeds a tax stack rather than a single rate — 2.9% state, plus county, plus city, plus special district (RTD in the Denver metro), all determined by where the BUYER registers, not where the sale happened. So fill out the standard fields (parties, vehicle, VIN, odometer, true price, date, signatures — no notary) and let the buyer's county motor vehicle office assemble the rate; combined figures run from about 4% in rural counties to over 8.8% in parts of metro Denver. Colorado is also a county-office state: the buyer transfers at their COUNTY motor vehicle office (target: 60 days), and out-of-state vehicles joining Colorado need a VIN verification — worth knowing if your buyer is bringing the car in from elsewhere.

Notarization:Not required
Title deadline:60 days
Sales tax:2.9%
Official form:DR 2116
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Vehicle Bill of Sale · Colorado
Colorado Requirements: Transfer title within 60 days. 2.9% sales tax.

Seller Information

Buyer Information

Vehicle Details

Sale Information

Condition & Warranty

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Step-by-Step: Every Field Explained

1

Seller Information

  • Full legal name
  • Current mailing address
  • City, state, ZIP code
  • Phone number (optional but recommended)
Tip: This line gets compared to the title at the Colorado DMV — same spelling, same order, same initials.
2

Buyer Information

  • Full legal name
  • Current mailing address
  • City, state, ZIP code
  • Phone number (optional)
Tip: Buyers, think one step ahead: the name entered here is the name the new ownership record will wear.
3

Vehicle Description

  • Vehicle year (4-digit)
  • Make (manufacturer — e.g., Ford, Toyota)
  • Model (e.g., F-150, Camry)
  • Body style (e.g., sedan, pickup, SUV)
  • Color
  • VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) — 17 characters, found on the dashboard or door jamb
  • Odometer reading at time of sale
Tip: The 17 characters must match the title exactly; copy them from the vehicle itself (dash or door jamb) rather than from a listing.
4

Sale Details

  • Sale price in US dollars (write out both numerals and words — e.g., "$8,500 — Eight thousand five hundred dollars")
  • Payment method (cash, check, electronic transfer)
  • Date of sale (month / day / year)
  • Note: buyer owes 2.9% Colorado sales tax on the sale price at registration
Tip: The price written here is the number the Colorado DMV reads for the 2.9% sales tax — record the true figure, because assessments compare it against book value.
5

Seller Signature

  • Seller's signature (must match title)
  • Printed name
  • Date signed
Tip: Colorado completes this paperwork on signatures only, no notary involved — keep the signed original filed for years.
6

Buyer Signature

  • Buyer's signature
  • Printed name
  • Date signed
Tip: Execute two originals — each party walks away holding a fully signed copy, not a photo of one.

Get a Pre-Filled Colorado Example

Use the generator above to create a filled-in Colorado bill of sale example in under 60 seconds. All fields are pre-configured for Colorado requirements — notarization not required, CO sales tax at 2.9%, and 60-day transfer deadline noted.

Other Forms Required in Colorado

Along with the bill of sale, you may need these additional documents for a Colorado vehicle transfer:

  • DR 2395 (Vehicle Title and Registration Application)
  • DR 2173 (Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale)

Frequently Asked Questions

What tax rate applies to the price on a Colorado bill of sale?
A stack: 2.9% state + the buyer's county rate + city rate + special-district rate (like RTD in metro Denver). The buyer's registration address decides the total — anywhere from roughly 4% to 8.8%+. The county office calculates it from your recorded price.
Where does the buyer complete the Colorado transfer?
At the county motor vehicle office for their home county — Colorado administers titles through counties, not state DMV branches. Target window is 60 days; late fees accrue after.
Is Form DR 2173 required?
DR 2173 is Colorado's standard Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale and the cleanest choice, but any complete bill of sale with the same fields is accepted (the "secure" DR 2173 version is only needed when the form itself carries the odometer disclosure). Don't confuse it with DR 2116, which is only for vehicles whose Colorado title record was purged. No notarization required on either the bill of sale or the title assignment.
When is a VIN verification needed?
When the vehicle is coming into Colorado from out of state — a certified VIN inspection (law enforcement, licensed dealer, or emissions station in some counties) precedes titling. In-state transfers between Colorado titles skip it.

Colorado Bill of Sale Hub

All requirements, tax rates, deadlines, and forms for Colorado.

View Colorado guide →
Official Form

DR 2116

Documents a private vehicle sale; verifies the purchase price for the 2.9% state sales/use tax plus county taxes at the county motor vehicle office; DR 2116 specifically re-establishes ownership evidence for vehicles whose Colorado title record was purged.

DR 2116 guide →

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