Moving to Colorado: Your Checklist for License, Title, Registration, Emissions and Voting

Colorado’s deadlines start the day you become a resident, and that can happen sooner than you think. Under DMV rules, you’re a resident as soon as you take a job in Colorado or own or run a business here, or after you’ve lived here 90 days in a row [1]. From then, you have 30 days for your license and 90 days for your vehicle [1].

When you become a resident

The DMV counts you as a Colorado resident once any one of these is true [1]:

• you own or operate a business in Colorado,
• you’re employed in Colorado, or
• you’ve lived in Colorado for 90 consecutive days.

1. Insure the car

You need proof of active Colorado auto insurance to register. The minimum liability coverage is [1]:

• $25,000 for bodily injury to one person,
• $50,000 for bodily injury to all people in one accident,
• $15,000 for property damage.

2. Get the VIN checked and pass emissions

VIN verification. A vehicle titled in another state needs a VIN verification on form DR 2698. A Colorado police officer, a licensed Colorado dealer or a Colorado emissions station can do it [1]. New vehicles with a manufacturer’s statement of origin don’t need one [1].

Emissions. An emissions test is required if the vehicle is more than 7 model years old and you live in a designated emissions county, such as Denver, Boulder, Jefferson or Douglas [1].

3. Title and register within 90 days

Title and registration happen at your county motor vehicle office, not a state DMV office [1]. Bring [1]:

• your current out-of-state title (if a lender holds it, your latest registration and the lender’s details),
• proof of Colorado insurance,
• an approved ID,
• a completed DR 2504 residency form and a proof-of-residency document, such as a utility bill, lease or mortgage statement.

You’ll pay title and registration fees plus any state and local taxes at the county office [1].

4. Transfer your driver’s license within 30 days

Transfer your license at a Colorado DMV office within 30 days of becoming a resident. An appointment is required [1]. Bring your out-of-state license, valid or expired less than a year, or a driving record dated within 30 days. Your old license will be hole-punched [1].

5. Register to vote

Colorado gives you several ways to register [2]:

• online at GoVoteColorado.gov, with a Colorado driver’s license or state ID, or the last four digits of your Social Security number,
• by mail, fax or email to your county clerk and recorder,
• in person at a DMV office, a public assistance office, or a voter service and polling center.

Deadlines [2]:

• Online, by mail or at DMV: through the 8th day before Election Day.
• Through a voter registration drive: no later than 22 days before.
• In person at a voter service and polling center: through Election Day.

Registered voters get a mail ballot unless the county clerk has information that they’ve moved out of state [2]. If you register close to Election Day, ask your county clerk how and where you’ll vote.

Quick checklist

• Note the date you became a resident (first day of work, business start, or day 90).
• Get Colorado auto insurance that meets the $25,000 / $50,000 / $15,000 minimums.
• Get a VIN verification for any vehicle titled in another state.
• Pass emissions if your vehicle is over 7 model years old and your county requires it.
• Title and register at your county office within 90 days.
• Book a DMV appointment and transfer your license within 30 days.
• Register to vote at GoVoteColorado.gov.