Temporary permits are issued to allow time for the vehicle owner to operate the vehicle while obtaining the required documentation to complete title and/or registration processes on their vehicle. 

All motor vehicles and trailers owned or operated by a Colorado resident must be registered. A Colorado address is mandatory as the legal address. A Post Office Box is not acceptable as a legal address, but may be used for the mailing address. CRS 42-3-103 & 42-6-140

Colorado law requires that vehicles driven on public roads be insured. Insurance companies must be licensed or authorized to sell insurance in Colorado.

Two laws have been enacted to ensure Colorado motorists comply with mandatory auto insurance laws:

Larimer County residents are required to obtain a certificate of emissions control for vehicles within a designated area of Larimer County. The test is required on:

License plates in Colorado belong to the owner and do not transfer to a buyer upon the sale of a vehicle. Plates should be removed upon sale.

Effective January 1, 2023, non-personalized green and white license plates cannot be transferred. The remaining credit can still be applied when registering a new or different vehicle. 

Out-of-State Students

If you are an out-of-state student attending school in Colorado, you have two options regarding licensing and registration of your vehicle.

The Larimer County Vehicle Licensing Department is responsible for vehicle registration, titling and issuing license plates for Larimer County residents. We accept cash, personal checks and credit/debit cards. 

Note: Credit/debit cards acceptance is provided by a third party in partnership with the State of Colorado. The price of items purchased through this service includes funds to develop, maintain, and enhance the state's official web portal, Colorado.gov. Additional fees may apply.

The Larimer County Vehicle Licensing Department is responsible for vehicle registration, titling and issuing license plates for Larimer County residents. We accept cash, personal checks and credit/debit cards. 

Note: Credit/debit cards acceptance is provided by a third party in partnership with the State of Colorado. The price of items purchased through this service includes funds to develop, maintain, and enhance the state's official web portal. Additional fees may apply.

"Retail Liquor Store" license permits the sale to the public of malt, vinous, and spirituous liquors to the public in sealed containers for consumption of the premises.

"Liquor-Licensed Drug Store" license permits licensed drugstores to sell malt, vinous, and spirituous liquors for consumption on the premises.

"Tavern" license permits the sale to the public of malt, vinous, and spirituous liquors for consumption on the premises.

Organizations incorporated under the laws of this state for the purposes of a social, fraternal, patriotic, political, or athletic nature, and not for financial gain, are allowed to sell alcohol, by the drink only, of fermented malt beverages, malt, spirituous, or vinous liquors with a liquor license special event permit.

Collecting a fee to attend or participate in an event or selling the alcohol by the drink constitutes "selling alcohol".