A newly purchased vehicle is subject to vehicle registration late fees 61 days after the purchase date.

Vehicle registration late fees are imposed when payment for renewing your vehicle is not received timely. With the exception of temporary permits, owners receive a one month grace period after their registration expires.

The $25-per-month late fee applies to any portion of the subsequent months for up to four months. The total amount assessed will not exceed the $100 late fee limit.

The late fee is $10 for vehicles without motive power that weighs 16,000 pounds or less, subject to taxation, and that is not registered when required by law. The weight of a trailer of any kind is the empty weight. C.R.S. 42-3-112(1.7) Vehicles without motive power include:

  • Trailers.
  • Camper trailers.
  • Trailer coaches.
  • Multipurpose trailers.
  • Special mobile machinery without motive power.

Late Fee Waivers

There are instances when the registration late fees may be waived.

If the owner of a vehicle who is active in the military serving outside Colorado when the registration grace period expires and the vehicle has not been operated on any public highway in Colorado between the time the registration period expired, including the grace period and the time the vehicle is registered.

If a vehicle is used to operate a commercial business as part of the normal operation of the business is exempt late fees if the vehicle has not been operated on any public highway in Colorado for one full registration period.

If a vehicle was reported as stolen and then recovered.

The $10 late fee is not eligible for the late fee waiver or reduction authorized pursuant to HB10-1212, except for commercial vehicle trailers and farm vehicle trailers. See commercial definitions, example below and C.R.S. 42-3-112(1,5)(b) for additional details.

C.R.S. 42-1-102(17.5) "Commercial Vehicle" means a vehicle used to transport cargo or passengers for profit, hire, or otherwise to further the purposes of a business or commercial enterprise.