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Free Colorado Used Car Bill of Sale

Used-car deals between private parties in Colorado are common — and Colorado's 60-day transfer window means buyers can shop deliberately rather than rushing to a county office on day three. But that flexibility doesn't change the math: 2.9% state sales tax plus local add-ons, Specific Ownership Tax, emissions testing in the Front Range, and a county clerk visit all stand between buyer and license plates. A clean DR2173 bill of sale protects both parties and gives the county clerk what they need to process the title.

Colorado Requirements: Transfer title within 60 days. 2.9% sales tax.

Seller Information

Buyer Information

Used Car Details

Sale Information

Condition & Warranty

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Selling a used car as-is? Our private sale checklist walks you through price research, safely screening buyers, and the exact paperwork steps — so nothing slips through and you stay protected from post-sale disputes. Read: Private Car Sale Checklist →

Colorado Used Car Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know

Primary Form
DR2173
Bill of Sale
Agency
Colorado DMV
Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles
Primary ID Field
VIN
Sales Tax
0.029%
Title Required
Yes
Seller assigns the Colorado title to the buyer with odometer disclosure (required on vehicles under 20 years old). Buyer presents the assigned title, DR2173 bill of sale, and DR2407 application at a county clerk and recorder's office within 60 days.
Inspection
Not required

Sales Tax Details

Used-car sales tax in Colorado uses the same 2.9% state rate plus county, city, and special district add-ons applicable at the buyer's address. The combined rate ranges from about 4% in rural areas to 8.81% in Denver. Tax is collected by the county clerk at titling, not by the private seller. Specific Ownership Tax is also assessed at registration based on taxable value.

Exemption: Family transfers (spouse, parent, child, sibling) are exempt from sales tax with proper documentation on DR2407. Gifts and inherited vehicles between qualifying relatives also qualify. SOT continues to apply each year regardless.

Inspection Requirements

No statewide safety inspection. Emissions testing required in nine Front Range counties (Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, Jefferson, and urbanized Larimer and Weld) for gasoline vehicles 7 model years and older. VIN verification (DR2698) required for any vehicle previously titled out of state.

Registration

Registration for this vehicle type is handled by County Clerk and Recorder — not the same agency that handles cars in Colorado. Plan for separate filings.

Colorado Used Car Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist

  1. Decode and verify the VIN at vincheck.nhtsa.gov for recall, theft, and salvage flags
  2. Pull a Carfax or AutoCheck history report — Colorado mountain vehicles can hide hail and flood damage
  3. Test drive on highway and at altitude if buying near the Front Range or mountains
  4. Inspect for rust on undercarriage — common on vehicles driven on Colorado mag chloride winter roads
  5. Have a pre-purchase inspection done by an independent mechanic
  6. Confirm seller's name on the title matches their photo ID exactly
  7. Complete DR2173 with full VIN, odometer reading, sale price, and signatures
  8. Seller signs title over with odometer disclosure (vehicles under 20 years old)
  9. Buyer schedules emissions test if registering in one of the nine emissions counties
  10. File DR2407 and pay tax, SOT, and fees at county clerk within 60 days

Common Pitfalls

  • Buying from someone who is not the titled owner — Colorado does not honor "open titles," and the county clerk will reject the transfer
  • Skipping the Carfax — Colorado vehicles see hail damage, mountain wear, and salt-corrosion that can be cosmetically hidden
  • Forgetting that mag chloride (Colorado's preferred road de-icer) corrodes brake lines and frames — inspect carefully on Front Range vehicles
  • Underreporting the sale price on DR2173 — the county clerk can challenge artificially low values and assess tax on book value
  • Not budgeting for SOT — newer used vehicles can owe several hundred dollars in annual Specific Ownership Tax on top of registration
  • Buying a non-emissions-county vehicle and trying to register it on the Front Range without testing first
  • Assuming a 60-day window means you can wait — emissions appointments and county clerk slots fill up, especially in Denver and Jefferson counties
  • Taking delivery before the title is signed and notarized properly — recover-the-title cases drag on for months

Pro Tip

Colorado used-car deals are buyer-friendly thanks to the 60-day window, but Front Range emissions, the combined local sales tax, and SOT mean budgeting and planning matter. Document everything on DR2173, file DR2407 promptly, and never close on a vehicle whose title isn't physically in the seller's hand.

Colorado Used Car Bill of Sale — FAQs

Do I need a notary for a Colorado used-car bill of sale?
A notary is not required for the DR2173 bill of sale itself. However, the title assignment on the back of the Colorado certificate of title must be signed in front of a notary if the title was originally issued before July 2014, or if the county clerk requests it for verification. Modern Colorado titles generally do not require notarization of the assignment, but bringing a notarized DR2173 anyway eliminates one potential source of friction at the county clerk's counter.
How does Colorado handle a sold "as-is" vehicle?
Colorado permits private sellers to sell vehicles "as-is" with no implied warranty, and stating "AS-IS, NO WARRANTY" on the DR2173 is standard practice. Dealers, however, are governed by the Colorado Motor Vehicle Dealer Board and federal Used Car Rule (Buyers Guide). Even with as-is, sellers cannot misrepresent material facts — odometer fraud, hidden salvage history, or known frame damage can be the basis for fraud claims regardless of the as-is clause.
What if the seller lost the Colorado title?
The seller must apply for a duplicate title using form DR2539A at the county clerk's office before transferring ownership. Colorado will not let the buyer apply for the duplicate — the titled owner has to do it. The duplicate typically arrives within 4-6 weeks. Do not pay for a vehicle without seeing the actual title or a duplicate in the seller's name; "title coming in the mail" is one of the most common Craigslist scams in the Denver metro.
Will Colorado challenge a low sale price on the bill of sale?
Yes. County clerks can compare the declared sale price on DR2173 against industry guidebook values (NADA, Kelley Blue Book) and assess sales tax on the higher figure if the declared price seems unreasonably low. This is especially common when a non-family buyer claims a $1 sale. Family-relationship transfers can legitimately use a low price or "gift" with the DR2407 exemption form, but arms-length transactions should reflect actual market value to avoid an audit reassessment.
What documents do I need at the county clerk for a used-car title transfer?
You'll need the assigned Colorado title with odometer disclosure, completed DR2173 bill of sale, completed DR2407 title and registration application, secure and verifiable ID, proof of Colorado insurance, emissions certificate (if in one of the nine counties), and VIN verification DR2698 if the vehicle was previously titled out of state. Bring payment for sales tax (state plus local), Specific Ownership Tax, title fee ($7.20), and registration fees. Most county clerks accept appointments — book ahead in Denver, Jefferson, and Arapahoe counties.

Other Colorado Templates

Vehicle Bill of SaleCar Bill of SaleMotorcycle Bill of SaleBoat Bill of SaleTrailer Bill of SaleHorse Bill of SaleATV Bill of SaleGun / Firearm Bill of SaleRV Bill of SaleGeneral Bill of SaleFree Printable Bill of SaleOdometer Disclosure Bill of SaleAs-Is Bill of SaleGift Bill of Sale

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