1) Determine the Status of Your registration

Renew CO Registration

You must renew your vehicle annually with the DMV to avoid running afoul with the law. In addition, you must also insure your vehicle. If you're in the market for a new carrier with lower rates, you can compare quotes at our Insurance Center.

Scroll down to Check Your Renewal Notice for more renewal information.

Register a Vehicle in CO for the First Time

If you just purchased a new car or relocated to the state, you'll need to register your vehicle for the first time. Requirements differ from renewal, so be sure to check out our car registration page for complete information.

Register a Non-Operational Vehicle

Here's what to do:

1. Have proof of insurance on the other vehicle you'll be using.
2. Complete an Affidavit of Non-Use.
3. Submit the completed form to your county clerk or, if you reside in Denver, submit it to Denver Motor Vehicle.

2) Check Your Renewal Notice

You should receive a renewal postcard approximately two weeks before the month of expiration. If you do not receive a notification, call your local county clerk. Keep in mind that you are responsible for keeping your registration current even if you don't receive a renewal notice.

Read your notification carefully. It will instruct you on whether or not to submit proof of insurance and an emissions certification.

3) Calculate Your Fees

Your fee is posted on your renewal postcard. If you don't receive renewal notification, call your county clerk.

Fees are based on the vehicle's age, weight, taxable value, and month of registration. Due to the complicated formula behind this, clerks will not quote your fee over the phone. As a heads up, note that fees are similar to car insurance rates in that the newer the vehicle, the higher the rate.

Avoid Late Fees and Penalties

You have a one-month grace period to register your vehicle. Go beyond this window and the state starts assessing a $25 late fee per month, for a maximum of four months.

4) Renew Online, In Person or By Mail

Renew Online

1. Have the license plate number for the vehicle you're renewing.
2. Have your current car insurance information that's on file.
3. Have your vehicle's emissions test data (if applicable).
4. Have either a credit card or electronic check.
5. Have a valid e-mail address.
6. Visit the Online Vehicle Registration Renewal page.
7. Receive your registration certificate in the mail within 10 days.

As of now, you can only renew online if you reside in one of the following counties: Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, Eagle, El Paso, Gilpin, Grand, Jefferson, Larimer, Logan, Mesa, Pueblo, Routt, and Weld.

NOTE: You cannot renew online if your registration has expired.

In Person

1. Find your renewal postcard. If you did not receive one, call your county clerk.
2. Locate your proof of emission test certification, if applicable.
3. Make sure you have proof of insurance.
4. Gather your registration fee (cash or check only).
5. Head to your county clerk's office or other title and registration office.

By Mail

1. Locate your renewal postcard, or contact your county clerk if you haven't received one yet.
2. Remove the blue address decal on the renewal postcard and affix it to an envelope.
3. Include a check for the amount listed on the renewal postcard. Be sure to write your license number on the check.
4. Include emission test certification, if applicable.
5. If you don't receive new registration stickers within four weeks, call your county clerk.

5) Affix Your Stickers

Affix the registration decal(s) to your vehicle's rear plate. The year decal affixes to the lower right corner and the month decal goes on the lower left corner (because the month remains the same, you probably will only receive a year sticker).

6) Get a Tax Deduction

The DMV recommends contacting an accountant or a tax attorney for information on this topic.

7) Do Your Part to Keep Our Roadways Safe

You shouldn't wait for the dashboard warning light to prompt a maintenance check. By then it could be too late, and you could be stranded on a busy roadside.

Take preventive action and change the oil on a regular basis, rotate and replace the tires as needed, and bring your vehicle in for an annual tune up.

Also, play it safe and subscribe to a roadside assistance program or invest in an after-market auto warranty. And by all means, take the time to find a mechanic you can trust.

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