Colorado registration renews online, by mail, or in person at a county clerk's office

Colorado sends you a renewal notice 30 to 60 days before your registration expires. You can renew using that notice and your current registration card, without visiting an office. The Colorado Department of Revenue processes online and mail renewals, and county clerks handle in-person transactions. You do not need an emissions test unless your vehicle is between 6 and 24 model years old and you live in a county that requires testing — Denver, Boulder, El Paso, Larimer, and Weld counties have this requirement.

Renewal costs depend on your vehicle type and weight. Passenger cars typically cost between $97 and $130 per year. Motorcycles, RVs, and commercial vehicles have different rates. If you renew late, you will owe a late fee on top of the standard renewal cost.

Key Takeaways

  • You can renew online at colorado.gov/revenue/dmv or by mail using your renewal notice, without visiting an office.
  • Online renewal takes about 10 minutes and you receive your new registration card by mail within two weeks.
  • Mail renewal takes three to four weeks from the time the county clerk receives your payment.
  • Vehicles in Denver, Boulder, El Paso, Larimer, and Weld counties between 6 and 24 model years old must pass an emissions test before renewal.
  • Late renewal adds a penalty fee to your standard renewal cost, so renewing before the expiration date saves money.

Renewing online through the Colorado DMV website

Go to colorado.gov/revenue/dmv and select the vehicle registration renewal option. You will need your current registration card, your renewal notice (if you received one), and a payment method — the site accepts credit cards, debit cards, and electronic checks. Enter your vehicle identification number (VIN), license plate number, and the information from your renewal notice.

The system will confirm your vehicle's registration status and calculate the renewal fee. If your vehicle requires an emissions test, the system will tell you before you pay. You cannot complete the online renewal if testing is required — you must visit a testing station first, then return to the website to finish. After you pay, you will receive a confirmation number by email. Your new registration card arrives by mail within 10 to 14 days.

Renewing by mail with your renewal notice

Your renewal notice includes a payment envelope and instructions. Write a check or money order for the amount shown on the notice, sign the back of your current registration card, and mail both items to the address on the envelope. Do not send cash. Include your renewal notice in the envelope as well.

Mail renewal takes three to four weeks from the date the county clerk receives your payment. If you are close to your expiration date, online renewal is faster. If your vehicle requires an emissions test, you must complete testing before mailing your renewal — the notice will indicate this. Some county clerks accept mail renewals at their local offices; you can call your county clerk to ask whether they will accept a hand-delivered envelope instead of mailing it.

Renewing in person at a county clerk's office

Bring your current registration card, your renewal notice, proof of emissions testing (if required), and a payment method to your county clerk's office. County offices accept cash, checks, debit cards, and credit cards. The clerk will process your renewal on the spot and issue you a temporary registration card valid for 30 days while your permanent card is mailed to you.

Wait times at county offices vary by location and time of day. Offices are typically less busy on weekday mornings and more crowded on Fridays and the last week of the month. You can find your county clerk's office location and hours at colorado.gov/revenue/dmv or by calling the main DMV line. Some county offices allow you to schedule an appointment online.

Emissions testing requirements in Colorado

Five Colorado counties require emissions testing for vehicle renewal: Denver, Boulder, El Paso, Larimer, and Weld. Your vehicle must pass testing if it is between 6 and 24 model years old. Vehicles 25 model years old or older are exempt, as are new vehicles under 6 model years old.

You can visit any testing station in your county; they do not have to be in the county where you registered your vehicle. Testing costs between $20 and $30 depending on the station. The test takes about 10 minutes. Once you pass, the testing station sends your results to the Colorado Department of Revenue electronically. You can then complete your online renewal, or bring your test receipt to a county clerk's office for in-person renewal. If you fail the test, you have 30 days to repair your vehicle and retest at no additional charge.

What to do if your registration has already expired

If your registration expired, you can still renew using the same methods — online, by mail, or in person. You will owe a late fee in addition to your standard renewal cost. The late fee is typically $10 to $25 depending on how long your registration has been expired. You cannot legally drive your vehicle with an expired registration, so renew as soon as you notice the expiration date has passed.

If your vehicle has been expired for more than one year, you may need to visit a county clerk's office in person rather than renewing online or by mail. The clerk can review your vehicle's status and process the renewal. Bring your current registration card, proof of insurance, and your vehicle's title if you have it available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Colorado registration if I moved out of state?

No. If you no longer live in Colorado, you must register your vehicle in your new state. Contact your new state's DMV to transfer your registration. You can cancel your Colorado registration by contacting your county clerk or the Colorado Department of Revenue.

What happens if I renew online but my vehicle fails emissions testing later?

If you renewed online without an emissions test and your vehicle was required to be tested, your renewal is invalid. Contact your county clerk when ready. You will need to pass an emissions test and may need to pay a penalty or reapply for registration. This is why the online system checks your vehicle's testing requirement before you pay.

Do I need to renew my registration if I sold my vehicle?

No. Contact your county clerk or the Colorado Department of Revenue to cancel your registration. Provide your vehicle's VIN and license plate number. You do not owe renewal fees once your registration is canceled, but you should cancel it promptly to avoid liability if the new owner is involved in an accident.

How long does a Colorado registration last?

Colorado vehicle registrations are valid for one year from the expiration date on your registration card. Your renewal notice arrives 30 to 60 days before expiration. You can renew up to 60 days before your current registration expires.

Can I renew my registration if my vehicle's title is in someone else's name?

The registered owner must renew the registration. If the title is in another person's name, contact your county clerk to update the registration to match the title before renewing. You may need to provide a bill of sale or other proof of ownership.