Free Colorado Odometer Disclosure Bill of Sale
Colorado vehicle sales are subject to the federal Truth in Mileage Act (TIMA), 49 U.S.C. § 32705, requiring sellers to certify the odometer reading at transfer unless the vehicle is of model year 2010 or older (model year 2011 and newer stay covered for 20 model years) or has a GVWR above 16,000 lbs. Colorado places the odometer disclosure directly on the Certificate of Title; sellers complete and sign the odometer section and buyers countersign before submitting the title to a Colorado DMV office or county motor vehicle office.
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Odometer disclosure is a federal requirement under 49 CFR §580, not just a best practice — and falsifying mileage is a federal crime. Our guide explains exactly what each field requires, which model years are exempt, and what to do if the odometer has rolled over. Read: Odometer Disclosure Statement: What It Is & What to Write →
Colorado Odometer Disclosure Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Primary Form
Standard bill of sale
Agency
Colorado DMV
Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles
Primary ID Field
VIN
Sales Tax
2.9%
Title Required
Yes
Inspection
Not required
Colorado Odometer Disclosure Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Run the year check before anything else — 2011-or-newer models (16,000 lbs GVWR or less) disclose; older ones are exempt.
- Record the exact odometer reading on the date of sale.
- Select the correct certification on the Colorado title: 'Actual mileage', 'Mileage in excess of mechanical limits', or 'Not actual mileage'.
- Seller prints name, signs, and dates the odometer section of the Colorado Certificate of Title.
- Buyer prints name and countersigns to acknowledge the disclosure.
- Make copies of the completed title for both seller and buyer before submitting.
- Complete the title transfer at a county motor vehicle office within 60 days of purchase — late fees apply after that.
Common Pitfalls
- Thinking an 'as-is' sale negates the federal TIMA requirement — it does not. Odometer disclosure is mandatory regardless of sale terms.
- Checking the wrong certification box. Selecting 'Actual mileage' when the mileage is higher than the odometer can record (it has rolled over) is a false statement under federal law.
- Forgetting that Colorado's specific ownership tax (SOT) is assessed at title transfer; calculating it separately from the 2.9% sales/use tax avoids surprises.
- Not getting the buyer's countersignature — both parties must sign for the disclosure to be legally complete.
- Altering or erasing any entry on the title — corrections require a new title application through Colorado DMV.
Colorado Odometer Disclosure Bill of Sale — FAQs
Is odometer disclosure required on a 2001 model-year truck sold in Colorado in 2026?
No. The 2001 model is exempt: federal coverage starts at model year 2011 and runs until each vehicle turns 20 model years old. Disclosure is not legally required, though it is good practice.
The odometer on my car stopped working two years ago — what do I disclose?
Select 'Not actual mileage' and indicate in your bill of sale that the odometer has been inoperative since a specific date or for an unknown period. Do not guess a mileage figure and call it 'actual.'
Does Colorado require a separate odometer disclosure form?
Usually not. On a normal sale the odometer section on the Colorado Certificate of Title is used. The DMV also accepts the mileage on the secure DR 2173 Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale, which is sold through approved vendors.
What happens if I commit odometer fraud in Colorado?
Federal penalties include fines and/or up to 3 years imprisonment per violation. Civil liability under 49 U.S.C. § 32710 allows the buyer to recover triple damages, minimum $10,000, plus attorney's fees.
Can the Colorado odometer disclosure go on a bill of sale instead of the title?
Yes, but only on the secure version of Form DR 2173, the Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale. It is not a free download. The Colorado DMV sells it only through approved vendors, which it names on its private-sale page. A plain written bill of sale still helps prove the price and date. It cannot hold the federal mileage statement.
How should the seller and buyer print their names in the Colorado odometer section?
The seller prints their name exactly as it appears on the front of the title, in the 'Seller's Printed Name' area of the Assignment of Owner section, and signs beside it. If more than one owner is named on the front of the title, every owner must print and sign as seller. The buyer prints their name the way it should read on the new title, matching their secure and verifiable ID, and then signs.
What should the buyer check before signing the mileage section in Colorado?
The Colorado DMV tells buyers to compare the reading the seller wrote with the odometer in the vehicle. If they do not match, the seller has to get a new title and fill it out correctly; a cross-out will not do. The DMV warns that a wrong disclosure can lower the vehicle's value and may not be fixable later.
Do I need an odometer disclosure when giving a car to a family member in Colorado?
Yes, if the vehicle is covered. A gift is still a change of owner. The Colorado DMV says a model-year 2011 or newer vehicle needs the mileage written down each time it changes hands, until it is 20 years old. The DMV's exemptions are vehicles 20 years or older, vehicles over 16,000 lbs gross weight rating, and trailers.
How is mileage disclosed for a Colorado bonded title?
If there is no title and the buyer applies for a bonded Colorado title, Rule 19 of 1 CCR 204-10 says the applicant writes the mileage on the secure DR 2173 bill of sale when applying. The rule's text still says this is for vehicles less than ten model years old. The federal rule now covers model-year 2011 and newer vehicles for 20 years, so disclose for any covered vehicle.