Colorado Bill of Sale

What Colorado requires for a vehicle sale

• Colorado DMV's private sale page lists Title Endorsement, Bill of Sale, Odometer Disclosure, License Plates and Release of Liability as topics. The text under them was not on the page we read.
• DR 2173 is the Secure Bill of Sale. The DMV registration page says it must be purchased and cannot be downloaded.
• On DR 2173, Section A (odometer disclosure) is completed for private sales. Buyer signatures are marked required, and the seller certifies the information under penalty of perjury.
• The DMV says Colorado does not allow skipped titles, so the title must pass from the owner on the current title to the buyer.
• A seller may report the transfer within five days of the transfer of ownership, online or at a county office, to release liability. The seller must still sign the title over.
• The seller should remove license plates before completing the sale.
• The DMV says improper title endorsement or an incorrect odometer disclosure can prevent the transfer.

Colorado bill of sale: what to include

Whatever Colorado requires, a signed bill of sale protects both sides. It proves the price, the date and that the car was sold as-is. Include:

• Seller's and buyer's full names and addresses
• Year, make, model, color and VIN
• Odometer reading on the day of sale
• Sale price and date of sale
• As-is wording, plus a statement that the seller owns the vehicle and any lien is paid off
• Signatures and dates for both parties

Sample as-is wording

I, the seller, sell the vehicle described above to the buyer for the price shown, as-is, with no warranty, express or implied. The seller confirms they are the owner and that the odometer reading is correct to the best of their knowledge. This sale is made under the laws of Colorado.

Seller checklist (Colorado)

• Sign the title over to the buyer. Do not skip a title.
• Complete the odometer disclosure, on the title or on DR 2173.
• Remove your license plates before the sale is complete.
• Report the release of liability online or at a county office within five days of the transfer.

Buyer checklist (Colorado)

• Get the properly endorsed title and the odometer disclosure.
• Title and register through the county Clerk and Recorder where you live, using DR 2395.
• Have insurance. The DMV says all vehicles need a title and insurance.
• Check the DMV fee estimator for taxes and fees, since the pages we read give no amounts.

Things to watch in Colorado

• The pages we read do not say whether a notary is needed for the bill of sale or title. Check with your county motor vehicle office or the DMV at 303-205-5600.
• The pages we read do not give a buyer deadline for title and registration or late penalties.

About this page

We checked this page against the Colorado DMV sources listed below in November 2026. Where an agency page did not say something, we say so and suggest you check with the agency. Rules, forms and fees change, so confirm with Colorado DMV before you sign. This is general information, not legal advice.