Where to renew and what you need
You can renew your Colorado vehicle registration online through the Colorado Department of Revenue website, by mail, or in person at any county clerk's office. Online renewal is the fastest option and takes about 10 minutes if your vehicle has no safety or emissions issues. You will need your current registration card, vehicle identification number (VIN), and a payment method.
If you renew online, the county clerk mails your new registration card and sticker to the address on file. If you renew by mail, send your renewal notice (the postcard Colorado sends 60 days before expiration) along with payment to your county clerk's office. In-person renewal at a county clerk's office is when ready — you walk out with your sticker the same day.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal through the Colorado Department of Revenue website works if your vehicle passed its last emissions test and has no safety holds.
- You must renew before your registration expires, or you will owe a late fee and cannot legally drive the vehicle.
- Registration renewal costs vary by vehicle weight and county, but typically range from $100 to $200 for most passenger cars.
- If your vehicle failed emissions testing, you must fix the problem and pass a retest before you can renew registration.
- Mail renewal takes two to three weeks; online renewal takes one to two weeks; in-person renewal is same-day.
When your registration expires and renewal important date
Your registration expiration date is printed on your registration card and on your license plate sticker. Colorado sends a renewal notice postcard 60 days before that date. You can renew any time after you receive the notice, but you must complete renewal before midnight on the expiration date or face a late fee.
If you miss the important date, you cannot legally drive the vehicle. You will owe a $25 late fee in addition to the regular renewal cost. If your registration has been expired for more than 30 days, you may need to renew in person at a county clerk's office rather than online.
Online renewal through the Colorado Department of Revenue
Go to the Colorado Department of Revenue's vehicle registration page and select "Renew Registration." You will enter your VIN, current registration number, and the last four digits of your vehicle identification document. The system checks whether your vehicle has passed emissions testing (if required in your county) and whether there are any safety holds on the registration.
If the system approves your renewal, you pay the fee by credit card or debit card. The county clerk then mails your new registration card and sticker within one to two weeks. You can legally drive the vehicle during this time using your old sticker and registration card.
Online renewal is not available if your vehicle failed an emissions test, if you have a safety hold, or if you need to update your address or vehicle information. In those cases, you must renew in person or by mail.
Mail renewal and what to send
Use the renewal notice postcard Colorado mails to you 60 days before expiration. Write a check or money order for the renewal fee, made out to the county clerk. Include the postcard and payment in an envelope addressed to your county clerk's office. You can find your county clerk's mailing address on the postcard itself or on the Colorado Department of Revenue website.
Mail renewal takes two to three weeks from the time the clerk receives your envelope. Do not mail your renewal during the last week before expiration — the postcard may not arrive in time. If you are close to the important date, renew online or in person instead.
In-person renewal at a county clerk's office
Bring your current registration card, proof of vehicle insurance, and a valid ID to any county clerk's office in Colorado. You do not have to go to the clerk's office in your home county — any county clerk can process your renewal. The clerk will verify your information, collect payment, and hand you your new sticker and registration card on the spot.
In-person renewal is the best choice if your registration is expired or about to expire, if you need to update your address, or if you want your new sticker when ready. County clerk offices are usually open Monday through Friday during business hours. Some offices offer limited Saturday hours — check your county's website for current hours.
Emissions testing requirements in Colorado
Whether you must pass an emissions test before renewing depends on your vehicle's age and where you live. Vehicles registered in the Denver metro area, Fort Collins, and Pueblo must pass an emissions test every two years. Vehicles in other Colorado counties do not require emissions testing.
If your vehicle is subject to emissions testing and has not passed within the last two years, you cannot renew online. You must schedule a test at an approved emissions testing station, pass the test, and then renew your registration. If your vehicle fails the test, you have 60 days to fix the problem and retest before your registration expires. Some repairs are covered by a warranty program if your vehicle is recent enough.
Registration renewal fees and what affects the cost
Colorado registration fees are based on your vehicle's dry weight (the weight without fuel or cargo) and your county. A typical passenger car weighing 3,000 to 4,000 pounds costs between $100 and $200 to renew. Heavier vehicles, trucks, and SUVs cost more. Some counties add a local surcharge on top of the state fee.
You can estimate your renewal fee on the Colorado Department of Revenue website by entering your vehicle's weight and county. The exact fee appears when you begin your online renewal. If you have a hybrid or electric vehicle, you may be may be able to access for a reduced registration fee — the online system will show this during renewal.
What to do if your registration expires
If your registration expires before you renew, you cannot legally drive the vehicle. You must renew in person at a county clerk's office and pay a $25 late fee in addition to the regular renewal cost. Bring your current registration card, proof of insurance, and a valid ID.
If your registration has been expired for more than 30 days, the online system may not process your renewal. You will need to renew in person. If your vehicle failed an emissions test and the important date has passed, you must pass a retest before the clerk can renew your registration, even if you pay the late fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my registration if my vehicle failed the emissions test?
No. You must schedule a retest at an approved emissions testing station, pass the test, and then renew your registration. You have 60 days from the test failure date to pass a retest before your registration expires. If you cannot pass the test in time, your registration will expire and you will owe a late fee when you renew.
What happens if I drive with an expired registration?
You can be stopped by law enforcement and cited. The fine for driving with an expired registration is typically $65 to $130, depending on how long the registration has been expired. You must renew before you can legally drive again.
Do I need to renew my registration if I sell my vehicle?
No. When you sell the vehicle, the new owner becomes responsible for renewal. You should notify the Colorado Department of Revenue that you no longer own the vehicle so you do not receive renewal notices. You can do this online or by mail.
Can I renew online if I moved to a new address?
If you moved within Colorado, you can renew online and update your address at the same time. If you moved out of state or need to change other vehicle information, you must renew in person or by mail at a county clerk's office.
How long does it take to get my registration sticker after I renew online?
The county clerk mails your new sticker and registration card within one to two weeks of processing your online renewal. You can legally drive the vehicle using your old sticker during this time. If you need the sticker sooner, renew in person at a county clerk's office for same-day service.