Buying a Vehicle

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Colorado Dealerships

The dealer will provide a temporary permit at the time of the sale.  

Financed Vehicles

For financed vehicles, the dealer will provide the required titling documents to our office for processing. Once the title is processed, a Title Complete Notice is mailed to notify you that the vehicle can be registered. Please visit the Getting a First Time Registration page for more information and service options.   

Non-Financed Vehicles

For non-financed vehicles, the dealer will either send the titling documents to our office for processing or directly to you. If the documents are sent to you, you must bring them to our office for processing. Please visit the Titling a Vehicle That is New to Me page for more information and to make an appointment. 

 

Out-of-State Dealerships

The dealer may provide a temporary permit at the time of sale. If a temporary permit is not provided, please contact our office at 970-498-7878 to discuss options.  

Financed Vehicles

For financed vehicles, the dealer will send the titling documents to our office for processing. If the dealership provides all required documents, a Title Complete Notice will be mailed to you. If additional documents are required, you will be notified by letter and a checklist of the additional requirements. Please visit the Titling a Vehicle That is New to Me page for more information and to make an appointment.

Non-Financed Vehicles

For non-financed vehicles, the dealer will either send the titling documents to our office for processing or directly to you. If the documents are sent to you, you must bring them to our office for processing. Please visit the Titling a Vehicle That is New to Me page for more information and to make an appointment.

Buying from a Private Party Requirements

When a vehicle is purchased from a private party that has a Colorado title the following is required:

  1. The title which has been properly signed by all parties
    1. See Colorado title example
    2. Out-of-state titles also require a DR 2698 Verification of Vehicle Identification Number form. 
  2. DR 2383 Joint Tenancy with Rights of Survivorship Acknowledgement of Intent form, if there are multiple purchasers
  3. Driver’s License or other Secure and Verifiable Identification (SVID)
  4. Proof of Colorado Insurance, if registering a motorized vehicle
  5. Proof of Emissions, if applicable
    • If the emissions test has not been completed at the time of tiling, a temporary permit may be issued during your appointment

The seller of the vehicle should always keep their license plates. It is the responsibility of the new owner to obtain either license plates or a temporary registration. 

Private Party Financed Vehicles

If you are financing the vehicle, provide the title from the seller to your financial institution in lieu of the steps above. Your financial institution will send the documents to our office for processing. Once the title is processed, a Title Complete Notice is mailed to notify you that the vehicle can be registered. Visit the Getting a First Time Registration page for more information and service options. 

Your financial institution may provide a letter to you to obtain a temporary permit while waiting for the title to be processed. If a letter is not provided, please call us at 970-498-7878 to discuss options. Visit the Getting a Temporary Registration page for more information or to make an appointment. 

After Hours Purchases

A purchaser of a vehicle may operate a vehicle on the highway prior to registering the vehicle when:

  • The vehicle was purchased within the last 36 hours from a person who is not a licensed motor vehicle dealer.
  • The vehicle was purchased either on a Saturday, Sunday, or a legal holiday, or between 5 p.m. and 8 a.m.
  • The vehicle is being driven from the place where the seller stored the vehicle to the place where the buyer intends to store the vehicle.

The purchaser must carry in the vehicle:

  • A bill of sale that identifies the vehicle by year, make and VIN and shows the time and date of sale and is signed by both the buyer and the seller.
  • Proof of insurance

Salvage and Rebuilt from Salvage Vehicles

Salvage and Rebuilt from Salvage vehicles require additional paperwork. Call our office at 970-498-7878 to discuss the requirements.