Title 42, Vehicles and Traffic
0 chapters · 632 sections in this title.
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-3-101 Legislative declaration
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(1) The general assembly declares that its purpose in enacting this article is to implement by law the purpose and intent of section 6 of article X of the state constitution, wherein it is provided that The general assembly shall enact laws classifying motor vehicles and also whe…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-3-101.5 Definitions
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As used in this article 3, unless the context otherwise requires: (1) Registration number means the distinct registration number assigned to the owner of a vehicle and the vehicle pursuant to section 42-3-113 (1)(a). Source: L. 2025: Entire section added, (SB 25-275), ch. 377, p.…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-3-102 Periodic registration - rules
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(1) The department may establish by rule a periodic vehicle registration program whereby certain vehicles shall be registered at: (a) Subject to the provisions of subsection (3) of this section, twelve-month intervals beginning on the month following the month of application for …
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-3-103 Registration required - exemptions - rules
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(1) (a) Within sixty days after purchase, every owner of a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or vehicle that is primarily designed to be operated or drawn upon any highway of this state or any owner of a trailer coach or of special mobile machinery whether or not it is operate…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-3-105 Application for registration - tax - definitions
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(1) (a) Application for the registration of a vehicle required to be registered under this article shall be made by the owner or the owner's agent and, if applicable, simultaneously with the application for certificate of title, as required by this section. The application for re…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-3-106 Tax imposed - classification - taxable value
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(1) The owner of each item of classified personal property shall pay an annual specific ownership tax unless exempted by this article. Such specific ownership tax shall be annually computed in accordance with section 42-3-107 in lieu of all annual ad valorem taxes. (2) For the pu…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-3-108 Determination of year model - tax lists
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All vehicles of the current year model, as designated by the manufacturer, shall, for the payment of the specific ownership tax, be considered in the first year of service regardless of the date of purchase, and those charged with the collection of annual specific ownership taxes…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-3-109 Tax for registration period
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Except as provided in sections 42-3-110, 42-3-304 (10), and 42-4-305 (5), the owner shall pay upon a purchased vehicle subject to registration under this article the prescribed fee for a twelve-month registration. In no event shall the specific ownership tax collected on any clas…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-3-111 Tax year - disposition
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(1) The annual specific ownership tax shall attach and apply to motor vehicles, trailers, semitrailers, or trailer coaches operated upon the highways of this state for the registration period within which it is levied and collected. (2) Payment of an annual specific ownership tax…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-3-112 Failure to pay tax - penalty - rules
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(1) (a) If a vehicle subject to taxation under this article 3 is not registered when required by law, the vehicle owner shall pay: (I) A late fee of twenty-five dollars for each month or portion of a month following the expiration of the registration period, or, if applicable, th…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-3-114 Expiration
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Every vehicle registration under this article shall expire on the last day of the month at the end of each twelve-month registration period and shall be renewed, upon application by the owner, the payment of the fees required by law, and in accordance with section 42-3-113 (3), n…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-3-115 Registration upon transfer - rules - definitions
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(1) Repealed. (2) (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection (2), the transferee, before operating or permitting the operation of a motor vehicle upon a highway, shall register the vehicle. (b) A transferee may operate a motor vehicle on the highway before registe…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-3-116 Manufacturers or dealers - fees - rules - definition - penalty
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(1) Upon application using the proper form and payment of the fees required by law, a manufacturer of, drive-away or tow-away transporter of, or dealer in, motor vehicles, trailers, special mobile machinery, or semitrailers operating such vehicle upon any highway, in lieu of regi…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-3-117 Nonresidents
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(1) A nonresident owner, except as otherwise provided in this section, owning a foreign motor vehicle may operate or permit such vehicle to operate within this state without registering such vehicle or paying fees so long as the vehicle is currently registered in the state, count…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-3-118 Registration suspended upon theft - recovery - rules
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(1) Repealed. (2) (a) After receiving an application for a motor vehicle registration, the department or its authorized agent shall electronically verify with the department of public safety that the motor vehicle has not been reported stolen. The department or its authorized age…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-3-118.5 Inoperable vehicle - rules
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(1) An owner of an inoperable vehicle that is not driven on roadways and is undergoing maintenance, repair, restoration, rebuilding, or renovation shall pay the annual specific ownership tax on the vehicle as provided in section 42-3-106. (2) Upon payment of the specific ownershi…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-3-119 No application for registration granted - when
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(1) The department shall not grant an application for the registration of a vehicle in any of the following events: (a) When the applicant for registration is not entitled thereto under this article; (b) When the applicant has neglected or refused to furnish the department with t…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-3-120 Department may cancel or deny registration
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(1) The department shall cancel the registration of any vehicle that the department determines is unsafe or unfit to be operated or is not equipped as required by law. (2) The department shall cancel the registration of a vehicle whenever the person to whom registration number pl…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-3-121 Violation of registration provisions - penalty
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(1) It is unlawful to commit any of the following acts: (a) To operate or permit the operation, upon a highway, of a motor vehicle subject to registration under this article or to possess or control a trailer coach or trailer that is not registered and does not display the number…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-3-122 Perjury on a motor vehicle registration application
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(1) A person commits perjury on a motor vehicle registration application if such person knowingly makes a materially false statement, other than those prohibited by sections 18-8-502 and 18-8-503, C.R.S., on a motor vehicle registration application that such person does not belie…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-3-123 Dishonored payment - recovery of taxes, fees, and plates
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(1) If the registration of a vehicle required to be registered under this article is procured or perfected by the owner, or by a person or agent in the owner's behalf, and the registration fee and specific ownership tax are paid by check, money order, draft, bill of exchange, or …
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-3-124 Violation - penalty
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A person who violates a provision of this article for which no other penalty is provided in this article commits a class B traffic infraction and shall be punished as provided in section 42-4-1701 (3)(a). Source: L. 2005: Entire article amended with relocations, p. 1105, � 2, eff…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-3-126 Notice - primary body color
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(1) If the primary body color of a motor vehicle is subsequently changed from the primary body color that is identified in the application for registration for the motor vehicle, the owner of the motor vehicle shall notify the department in writing, within thirty days after the c…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-3-127 Sale of special mobile machinery
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A person who sells special mobile machinery in the ordinary course of business shall notify in writing the buyer of the machinery that the machinery is required to be registered under this article. A person who violates this section commits a class B traffic infraction for each i…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-3-202 Number plates furnished to be attached - penalty
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(1) (a) (I) Except as provided in subsection (1)(a)(II) of this section, the owner shall attach the number plates assigned to a self-propelled vehicle to the vehicle with one in the front and the other in the rear. (II) The owner shall attach the number plate assigned to any of t…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-3-206 Remanufacture of certain license plates
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Persons who have been approved to be issued a license plate before July 1, 2003, pursuant to this section as it existed on July 1, 2003, shall be issued such plate, shall be authorized to continue using such plate, and shall not be required to pay additional fees beyond the exist…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-3-207 Special plates - rules - new plates - retirement
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(1) (a) Neither the department nor an authorized agent of the department shall collect any fee for the privilege of using a special plate unless such fee is expressly authorized by statute. The department or an authorized agent of the department shall not transfer money collected…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-3-209 Legislative license plates
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(1) Upon the application of the owner of a passenger car, truck, or trailer classified as Class B or Class C personal property, as defined in section 42-3-106, or the duly authorized agent of such owner showing that such owner is a member of congress from the state of Colorado, t…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-3-210 Radio and television license plates
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(1) A person who is the holder of a valid renewable amateur radio, standard radio, FM, or television license issued by the federal communications commission shall, upon application and payment of the additional registration fee prescribed in subsection (4) of this section, be ent…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-3-211 Issuance of personalized plates authorized
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(1) The department may issue personalized license plates for motor vehicles in accordance with this section. (2) (a) Personalized license plates, as used in this section, means license plates that have displayed upon them the registration number assigned to the motor vehicle for …
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-3-212 Issuance of optional plates authorized - retirement
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(1) The department may issue optional license plates for passenger cars or trucks not over sixteen thousand pounds empty weight. (2) Optional license plates shall have a background consisting of a graphic design representing the state flag of Colorado and shall consist of numbers…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-3-213 License plates - military veterans - rules - retirement
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(1) (a) The department shall issue one or more sets of license plates to the following persons who own a truck that does not exceed sixteen thousand pounds empty weight, a passenger car, a motorcycle, or a noncommercial or recreational vehicle: (I) A recipient of the purple heart…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-3-214 Special plates - alumni associations - retirement
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(1) The department shall issue one or more sets of special alumni license plates to applicants under this section for passenger cars or trucks that do not exceed sixteen thousand pounds empty weight. For the purposes of this section, recreational vehicles that do not exceed sixte…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-3-217 Special plates - Colorado commission of Indian affairs
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(1) The department shall issue one or more sets of special license plates to applicants under this section for passenger cars, motorcycles, or trucks that do not exceed sixteen thousand pounds empty weight. The American Indian special license plate shall not be issued for motorcy…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-3-217.5 Special plates - breast cancer awareness - retirement
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(1) There is hereby established the breast cancer awareness special license plate. The department shall issue breast cancer special license plates to applicants for passenger cars, trucks, or motorcycles that do not exceed sixteen thousand pounds empty weight. (2) The department …
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-3-219 Special registration of collector's items. (Repealed)
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Source: L. 2005: Entire article amended with relocations, p. 1131, � 2, effective August 8. L. 2006: (1)(a) and (3)(a) amended and (1)(c) added, p. 64, �� 2, 3, effective August 7. L. 2007: (1)(b)(I) amended, p. 1462, � 1, effective August 3. L. 2008: (10) repealed, p. 229, � 3, …
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-3-220 Temporary special event license plates
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(1) The department may issue a temporary special event license plate to a person or group of people in connection with a special event for a passenger vehicle or a truck that does not exceed sixteen thousand pounds empty weight. (2) An applicant for a special event license plate …
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-3-221 Special plates - Denver Broncos
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(1) Beginning January 1, 2007, the department shall issue special license plates to qualified applicants in accordance with this section for motorcycles, passenger cars, trucks, or noncommercial or recreational motor vehicles that do not exceed sixteen thousand pounds empty weigh…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-3-222 Special plates - support public education
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(1) Beginning January 1, 2007, the department shall issue special license plates to qualified applicants in accordance with this section for motorcycles, passenger cars, trucks, and noncommercial or recreational motor vehicles that do not exceed sixteen thousand pounds empty weig…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-3-223 Special plates - support the troops - retirement
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(1) On or after July 1, 2007, the department shall issue one or more sets of support the troops special license plates to applicants under this section for passenger cars, trucks, motorcycles, and noncommercial or recreational motor vehicles that do not exceed sixteen thousand po…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-3-224 Special plates - Colorado Kids First
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(1) The department shall issue special license plates to qualified applicants in accordance with this section for motorcycles, passenger cars, trucks, or noncommercial or recreational motor vehicles that do not exceed sixteen thousand pounds empty weight. (2) (a) There is hereby …
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-3-225 Special plates - Italian-American heritage
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(1) Beginning January 1, 2008, the department shall issue special license plates to qualified applicants in accordance with this section for motorcycles, passenger cars, trucks, or noncommercial or recreational motor vehicles that do not exceed sixteen thousand pounds empty weigh…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-3-226 Special plates - share the road
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(1) Beginning January 1, 2008, the department shall issue special license plates to qualified applicants in accordance with this section for motorcycles, passenger cars, trucks, or noncommercial or recreational motor vehicles that do not exceed sixteen thousand pounds empty weigh…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-3-227 Special plates - Colorado horse development authority
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(1) On or after January 1, 2009, the department shall issue Colorado horse development authority special license plates to qualified applicants in accordance with this section for motorcycles, passenger cars, trucks, or noncommercial or recreational motor vehicles that do not exc…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-3-228 Special plates - Colorado carbon fund
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(1) The department shall issue Colorado carbon fund special license plates to qualified applicants in accordance with this section for motorcycles, passenger cars, trucks, or noncommercial or recreational motor vehicles that do not exceed sixteen thousand pounds empty weight. (2)…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-3-229 Special plates - boy scouts
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(1) Beginning July 15, 2009, the department shall issue special license plates to qualified applicants in accordance with this section for motorcycles, passenger cars, trucks, or noncommercial or recreational motor vehicles that do not exceed sixteen thousand pounds empty weight.…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-3-230 Special plates - Alive at Twenty-five. (Repealed)
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Source: L. 2009: Entire section added, (HB 09-1100), ch. 279, p. 1246, � 1, effective August 5. L. 2011: (6) amended, (HB 11-1236), ch. 98, p. 288, � 9, effective April 8. L. 2025: Entire section repealed, (HB 25-1076), ch. 16, p. 63, � 9, effective August 6. Editor's note: Secti…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-3-231 Special plates - Colorado ski country
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(1) On or after January 1, 2010, the department shall issue Colorado ski country special license plates to qualified applicants in accordance with this section for motorcycles, passenger cars, trucks, or noncommercial or recreational motor vehicles that do not exceed sixteen thou…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-3-232 Special plates - donate life
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(1) On or after January 1, 2010, the department shall issue donate life special license plates to qualified applicants in accordance with this section for motorcycles, passenger cars, trucks, or noncommercial or recreational motor vehicles that do not exceed sixteen thousand poun…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-3-233 Special plates - Colorado state parks
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(1) On or after January 1, 2011, the department shall issue Colorado state parks special license plates to qualified applicants in accordance with this section for motorcycles, passenger cars, trucks, or noncommercial or recreational motor vehicles that do not exceed sixteen thou…