CO · Registration fee guide
Colorado car registration fees
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Colorado registration is renewed every year and is mostly specific ownership tax, which is 2.1% of 85% of the car's original MSRP in its first year and falls each year until it bottoms out at $3 from the tenth year.
Your itemized estimate
Estimate your registration
Use your vehicle details to calculate the listed fees. Amounts reflect the schedule verified in 2026.
Start with the published example below, then adjust the details for your vehicle.
Published example · listed fees
12-month renewal example
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Registration base fee (by weight) | $9.00 |
| Age of vehicle registration fee | $12.00 |
| Specific ownership tax, 5th-9th years (0.45% of taxable value) | $95.63 |
| Road safety surcharge (FASTER) | $19.30 |
| Bridge safety surcharge (FASTER) | $18.00 |
| County road and bridge fee | $1.50 |
| Clerk hire fee | $4.00 |
| Emergency medical services fee | $2.00 |
| Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) fee | $1.00 |
| Emissions program county area fee | $0.70 |
| Emissions statewide AIR account fee | $0.50 |
| Emissions-area AIR account fee | $1.50 |
| Insurance fee | $0.50 |
| Motorist Insurance Identification Database (MIIDB) fee | $0.10 |
| Year tab (material fee) | $0.48 |
No listed fees for this selection.
- State fees$162.51
- County / local$3.70
- One-time$0.00
View breakdown data
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| State fees | $162.51 |
| County / local | $3.70 |
| One-time | $0.00 |
Estimate only. Includes only the fees listed here; other taxes, penalties or local charges may apply. Confirm with the official agency.
Registration fee schedule
Only applicable fees contribute to your estimate. Optional fees are excluded unless selected. One-time fees apply only to new registrations.
| Fee | Amount or rule | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Registration base fee (by weight) | View full fee ruleUp to 2,000 lbs: $6.00; Up to 2,100 lbs: $6.20; Up to 2,200 lbs: $6.40; Up to 2,300 lbs: $6.60; Up to 2,400 lbs: $6.80; Up to 2,500 lbs: $7.00; Up to 2,600 lbs: $7.20; Up to 2,700 lbs: $7.40; Up to 2,800 lbs: $7.60; Up to 2,900 lbs: $7.80; Up to 3,000 lbs: $8.00; Up to 3,100 lbs: $8.20; Up to 3,200 lbs: $8.40; Up to 3,300 lbs: $8.60; Up to 3,400 lbs: $8.80; Up to 3,500 lbs: $9.00; Up to 3,600 lbs: $9.20; Up to 3,700 lbs: $9.40; Up to 3,800 lbs: $9.60; Up to 3,900 lbs: $9.80; Up to 4,000 lbs: $10.00; Up to 4,100 lbs: $10.20; Up to 4,200 lbs: $10.40; Up to 4,300 lbs: $10.60; Up to 4,400 lbs: $10.80; Up to 4,500 lbs: $11.00; Up to 4,600 lbs: $13.10; Up to 4,700 lbs: $13.70; Up to 4,800 lbs: $14.30; Up to 4,900 lbs: $14.90; Up to 5,000 lbs: $15.50; Up to 5,100 lbs: $16.10; Up to 5,200 lbs: $16.70; Up to 5,300 lbs: $17.30; Up to 5,400 lbs: $17.90; Up to 5,500 lbs: $18.50; Up to 5,600 lbs: $19.10; Up to 5,700 lbs: $19.70; Up to 5,800 lbs: $20.30; Up to 5,900 lbs: $20.90; Up to 6,000 lbs: $21.50; Up to 6,100 lbs: $22.10; Up to 6,200 lbs: $22.70; Up to 6,300 lbs: $23.30; Up to 6,400 lbs: $23.90; Up to 6,500 lbs: $24.50; Up to 6,600 lbs: $25.10; Up to 6,700 lbs: $25.70; Up to 6,800 lbs: $26.30; Up to 6,900 lbs: $26.90; Up to 7,000 lbs: $27.50; Up to 7,100 lbs: $28.10; Up to 7,200 lbs: $28.70; Up to 7,300 lbs: $29.30; Up to 7,400 lbs: $29.90; Up to 7,500 lbs: $30.50; Up to 7,600 lbs: $31.10; Up to 7,700 lbs: $31.70; Up to 7,800 lbs: $32.30; Up to 7,900 lbs: $32.90; Up to 8,000 lbs: $33.50; Up to 8,100 lbs: $34.10; Up to 8,200 lbs: $34.70; Up to 8,300 lbs: $35.30; Up to 8,400 lbs: $35.90; Up to 8,500 lbs: $36.50; Up to 8,600 lbs: $37.10; Up to 8,700 lbs: $37.70; Up to 8,800 lbs: $38.30; Up to 8,900 lbs: $38.90; Up to 9,000 lbs: $39.50; Up to 9,100 lbs: $40.10; Up to 9,200 lbs: $40.70; Up to 9,300 lbs: $41.30; Up to 9,400 lbs: $41.90; Up to 9,500 lbs: $42.50; Up to 9,600 lbs: $43.10; Up to 9,700 lbs: $43.70; Up to 9,800 lbs: $44.30; Up to 9,900 lbs: $44.90; Up to 10,000 lbs: $45.50 CRS 42-3-306(2)(b)(I): $6 up to 2,000 lbs, plus 20 cents per 100 lbs (or fraction) up to 4,500 lbs; above 4,500 lbs, $12.50 plus 60 cents per 100 lbs. Uses the manufacturer's published weight (CRS 42-3-304(2)). Table here runs to 10,000 lbs. | All listed vehiclesAll listed vehicles |
| Age of vehicle registration fee | Up to 6 years: $12.00; Up to 9 years: $10.00; Older vehicles: $7.00 CRS 42-3-306(2)(b)(II): $12 if under 7 years old, $10 at 7-9 years, $7 at 10 years or older; these amounts effective July 1, 2026. | All listed vehiclesAll listed vehicles |
| Specific ownership tax, 1st year of service (2.1% of taxable value) | 1.785% of vehicle value CRS 42-3-107(9)-(10) and 42-3-108: Class C passenger vehicles. Taxable value is 85% of the original MSRP and never changes; the model year is the first year of service. Rate shown here is applied to MSRP (85% x the statutory rate). County offices may round to whole dollars. | See conditionsmax age years: 0 |
| Specific ownership tax, 2nd year (1.5% of taxable value) | 1.275% of vehicle value CRS 42-3-107(9)-(10) and 42-3-108: Class C passenger vehicles. Taxable value is 85% of the original MSRP and never changes; the model year is the first year of service. Rate shown here is applied to MSRP (85% x the statutory rate). County offices may round to whole dollars. | See conditionsmin age years: 1; max age years: 1 |
| Specific ownership tax, 3rd year (1.2% of taxable value) | 1.02% of vehicle value CRS 42-3-107(9)-(10) and 42-3-108: Class C passenger vehicles. Taxable value is 85% of the original MSRP and never changes; the model year is the first year of service. Rate shown here is applied to MSRP (85% x the statutory rate). County offices may round to whole dollars. | See conditionsmin age years: 2; max age years: 2 |
| Specific ownership tax, 4th year (0.9% of taxable value) | 0.765% of vehicle value CRS 42-3-107(9)-(10) and 42-3-108: Class C passenger vehicles. Taxable value is 85% of the original MSRP and never changes; the model year is the first year of service. Rate shown here is applied to MSRP (85% x the statutory rate). County offices may round to whole dollars. | See conditionsmin age years: 3; max age years: 3 |
| Specific ownership tax, 5th-9th years (0.45% of taxable value) | 0.3825% of vehicle value CRS 42-3-107(9)-(10) and 42-3-108: Class C passenger vehicles. Taxable value is 85% of the original MSRP and never changes; the model year is the first year of service. Rate shown here is applied to MSRP (85% x the statutory rate). County offices may round to whole dollars. | See conditionsmin age years: 4; max age years: 8 |
| Specific ownership tax, 10th year and later | $3.00 CRS 42-3-107(10)(a): Class C vehicles pay a flat $3 from the tenth year of service. | See conditionsmin age years: 9 |
| Road safety surcharge (FASTER) | Up to 2,000 lbs: $12.30; Up to 5,000 lbs: $19.30; Up to 10,000 lbs: $24.30 Amounts in effect until Aug. 31, 2027; from Sept. 1, 2027 they rise to $16 / $23 / $28. | All listed vehiclesAll listed vehicles |
| Bridge safety surcharge (FASTER) | Up to 2,000 lbs: $13.00; Up to 5,000 lbs: $18.00; Up to 10,000 lbs: $23.00 Statewide surcharge by weight. | All listed vehiclesAll listed vehicles |
| County road and bridge fee | $1.50 CRS 42-3-310(1): $1.50 annual fee kept by the county. The temporary reduction in 42-3-310(6) was repealed effective July 1, 2026. | All listed vehiclesAll listed vehicles |
| Clerk hire fee | $4.00 $4 on all registration transactions (CRS 42-1-210); kept by the county clerk. | All listed vehiclesAll listed vehicles |
| Emergency medical services fee | $2.00 CRS 42-3-304(21). | All listed vehiclesAll listed vehicles |
| Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) fee | $1.00 CRS 42-3-304(24). | All listed vehiclesAll listed vehicles |
| Emissions program county area fee | $0.70 CRS 42-3-304(18)(a); DMV says it is charged on every Class A, B and C registration whether or not the vehicle is subject to emissions testing. | All listed vehiclesAll listed vehicles |
| Emissions statewide AIR account fee | $0.50 CRS 42-3-304(18)(a). | All listed vehiclesAll listed vehicles |
| Emissions-area AIR account fee | Adams County: $1.50; Arapahoe County: $1.50; Boulder County: $1.50; City and County of Broomfield: $1.50; City and County of Denver: $1.50; Douglas County: $1.50; Jefferson County: $1.50; Larimer County: $1.50; Weld County: $1.50; Other counties: $0.00 $1.50 in the emissions program area (CRS 42-3-304(18)(b)). The enhanced program area is the Denver metro counties plus Larimer and Weld (CRS 42-4-304(20)(c)); eastern Adams and Arapahoe and rural parts of Larimer and Weld are excluded, so residents there may not pay it. | All listed vehiclesAll listed vehicles |
| Insurance fee | $0.50 CRS 42-3-304(1)(b); not charged to self-insured vehicles. | All listed vehiclesAll listed vehicles |
| Motorist Insurance Identification Database (MIIDB) fee | $0.10 CRS 42-3-304(1) and (18)(d)(I). | All listed vehiclesAll listed vehicles |
| Year tab (material fee) | $0.48 License plate cash fund material fee, CRS 42-3-301. | All listed vehiclesAll listed vehicles |
| Electric vehicle fee | $63.05 CRS 42-3-304(25)(a), inflation-adjusted each fiscal year. Plug-in hybrids pay it too. | See conditionsfuel type: electric |
| Electric motor vehicle road usage equalization fee | $26.00 CRS 42-3-304(25)(a.5): $26 for battery-electric vehicles for registration periods starting July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027 ($36 the next year). Plug-in hybrids pay $13. | See conditionsfuel type: electric |
| License plates, embossed set (material fee) | $7.38 Charged when plates are issued (CRS 42-3-301). A digital plate set is $11.27. | New registrationAll listed vehicles; one-time |
| Month tab (material fee) | $0.45 Issued with new plates (CRS 42-3-301). | New registrationAll listed vehicles; one-time |
| Certificate of title (transfer of ownership) | $7.20 DMV lists $7.20 for a transfer-of-ownership or lien-release title; a duplicate title is $8.20. | New registrationAll listed vehicles; one-time |
How Colorado fees work
Colorado registration is renewed every year and is mostly specific ownership tax, which is 2.1% of 85% of the car's original MSRP in its first year and falls each year until it bottoms out at $3 from the tenth year. On top of that come a base fee by weight, an age-based fee of $7 to $12, the FASTER road and bridge safety surcharges, and a handful of small state and county fees. Electric vehicles pay $63.05 plus a road usage fee of $26 for 2026-27. Some counties and local authorities add their own fees.
The listed registration period is 12 months. Agency information
Cost factors: value, age, weight, county, fuel.
Electric & hybrid surcharges
Electric: $89.05 in the listed schedule. Fee source
Choose the matching fuel type in the calculator to include the applicable surcharge.
Late registration
$25 per month or part of a month after the grace month ends (the last day of the month after expiration), up to $100 (CRS 42-3-112). Exemptions exist for things like office closures, medical hardship and active military duty.
Confirm deadlines and penalties with the agencyWorked example
2022 gas sedan, 3,500 lbs, $25,000 MSRP, renewing in Denver in 2026 (fifth year of service): $25,000 x 85% x 0.45% = $95.63 specific ownership tax + $9.00 base fee ($6 + 15 x $0.20) + $12 age fee + $19.30 road safety + $18 bridge safety + $1.50 county road and bridge + $4 clerk hire + $2 EMS + $1 POST + $0.70 + $0.50 + $1.50 emissions fees + $0.50 insurance + $0.10 MIIDB + $0.48 year tab = $166.21.
Listed total: $166.21
See the fee rules and sources aboveCommon questions
How are Colorado registration fees calculated?
Colorado registration is renewed every year and is mostly specific ownership tax, which is 2.1% of 85% of the car's original MSRP in its first year and falls each year until it bottoms out at $3 from the tenth year. On top of that come a base fee by weight, an age-based fee of $7 to $12, the FASTER road and bridge safety surcharges, and a handful of small state and county fees. Electric vehicles pay $63.05 plus a road usage fee of $26 for 2026-27. Some counties and local authorities add their own fees.
Where can I confirm my final registration cost?
Confirm the final amount with Colorado Department of Revenue, Division of Motor Vehicles. Its official website is linked below the calculator and in this guide’s sources.
What other limitations should I consider?
Enter the vehicle's original MSRP, not its current value: specific ownership tax is based on 85% of MSRP and that taxable value never changes. For a used car bought outside Colorado without an MSRP, the county uses a DMV value table. Year of service counts the model year as year one, so a 2026 model registered in 2026 is in its first year and a 2022 model is in its fifth. Counties may round specific ownership tax to whole dollars, so totals can differ by under $1. Plug-in hybrids pay the $63.05 electric vehicle fee plus a $13 road usage fee ($76.05 total); the calculator's 'hybrid' option does not add these. Conventional hybrids pay neither. Diesel vehicles in the emissions program area pay an extra $10 AIR fee (CRS 42-3-304(20)), which is not included. Some counties and regional transportation authorities add local registration fees that are not included; your county motor vehicle office can confirm the exact amount. Specialty or personalized plates, the optional $29 Keep Colorado Wild state parks pass, mail or credit card processing fees and emissions test fees are not included. A new registration also owes state sales tax (2.9%) plus local sales or use taxes on the purchase price, which are not included. Registration is due within 60 days of purchase, or within 90 days of becoming a Colorado resident. Motorcycles, trucks, motor homes and vehicles over 10,000 lbs have different fee schedules and are not covered.
Sources and last checked
Sources
- Vehicle Taxes and Fees Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles
- Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, Title 42 (42-3-107, 42-3-304, 42-3-306, 42-3-310, 42-4-304) Colorado General Assembly, Office of Legislative Legal Services
- Electric Vehicles Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles
- Vehicle Registration Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles
Last verified
Fees can change. Confirm your final amount with the official registration agency before paying.
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