Is a bill of sale required to sell a car in Colorado?

Not when the title is completed correctly, including the sale price. The Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles describes a bill of sale as best practice and states that it is required when the sale price is not listed on the title.

Does a Colorado bill of sale need the time of sale?

For a buyer who drives the vehicle home before titling it, yes. The Division states that the signed bill of sale carried in the vehicle must show the time and date of sale, and the vehicle's year, make and VIN.

Does a Colorado bill of sale need to be notarized?

The private sale guidance of the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles does not state a notarization requirement. The county motor vehicle office confirms the requirements for a specific transaction.

How long does the buyer have to title the vehicle in Colorado?

60 days from the date of purchase. After that, late fees of $25 for each month or part of a month apply, up to $100.

What should a Colorado seller do after the sale?

The seller may report the transfer of ownership within 5 days, online through myDMV or at the county motor vehicle office. The report removes the seller from liability for what the buyer does with the vehicle afterwards.

Colorado Vehicle Bill of Sale

A bill of sale is required in Colorado when the sale price is not listed on the title, and is best practice in every private sale.

Fill In the Colorado Bill of Sale. Print it or save it as a PDF.

Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale

State of Colorado

Vehicle

Vehicle Identification Number

Year

Make

Model

Odometer Reading

Date of Sale

Time of Sale

Purchase Price

Seller

Full Name

Street Address

City, State, ZIP Code

Buyer

Full Name

Street Address

City, State, ZIP Code

The seller sold the vehicle described above to the buyer for the purchase price stated. The seller certifies that, to the best of the seller's knowledge, the odometer reading reflects the actual mileage of the vehicle unless otherwise indicated.

Seller Signature and Date

Buyer Signature and Date

Colorado Rules. As stated by the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles.

When a Bill of Sale Is Needed: A bill of sale is not needed for the title transfer when all of the information is completed correctly on the title. It is best practice, and it is required when the sale price is not listed on the title.
Contents: The Division directs the seller to include the purchase price, the date, the VIN, the year, make and model, and the names and signatures of both parties. Form DR 2173 or a written equivalent serves as the bill of sale.
Odometer Disclosure: For model year 2011 and newer vehicles, the odometer disclosure is required for every transfer of ownership during the first 20 years of the vehicle's life. Vehicles that are 20 years or older, vehicles with a gross weight rating of more than 16,000 pounds and trailers that are not self-propelled are exempt.
Secure Form: The odometer disclosure may be made on the title or on the secure Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale form, DR 2173. The Division lists the vendors from which the secure form is purchased. A bill of sale produced by this page is not that form.
Time of Sale: A buyer who drives the vehicle home before it is titled, within 36 hours of a private sale, must carry a signed bill of sale that identifies the vehicle by year, make and VIN and shows the time and date of sale, together with proof of insurance.
Deadline for the Buyer: The buyer has 60 days from the date of purchase to title and register the vehicle. Late fees are $25 for each month or part of a month, up to $100.
Notice of Sale: Within 5 days of the sale, the seller may report the transfer of ownership online through myDMV or at the county motor vehicle office. The report removes the seller from liability for the buyer's actions involving the vehicle after the sale.

Official Form. Published by the state.

Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale, DR 2173 (secure form)

The Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles publishes this form. The sheet above is not that form and does not replace it where the agency asks for it.

The Division lists the vendors of the secure form on its private sale page, linked below.

Questions. Requirements and limits.

Is a bill of sale required to sell a car in Colorado?: Not when the title is completed correctly, including the sale price. The Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles describes a bill of sale as best practice and states that it is required when the sale price is not listed on the title.
Does a Colorado bill of sale need the time of sale?: For a buyer who drives the vehicle home before titling it, yes. The Division states that the signed bill of sale carried in the vehicle must show the time and date of sale, and the vehicle's year, make and VIN.
Does a Colorado bill of sale need to be notarized?: The private sale guidance of the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles does not state a notarization requirement. The county motor vehicle office confirms the requirements for a specific transaction.
How long does the buyer have to title the vehicle in Colorado?: 60 days from the date of purchase. After that, late fees of $25 for each month or part of a month apply, up to $100.
What should a Colorado seller do after the sale?: The seller may report the transfer of ownership within 5 days, online through myDMV or at the county motor vehicle office. The report removes the seller from liability for what the buyer does with the vehicle afterwards.

Other States. Pages for selected states.

Reviewed on 2026-10-27 against Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles, Private Sale. Rules and forms change, and the agency confirms the requirements for a specific transaction.

This page provides general information and is not legal advice.

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