BillOfSaleNow

How to Fill Out a Colorado Truck Bill of Sale

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Reviewed against state DMV requirementsLast reviewed: April 20266 min readEditorial policy

Follow this checklist to complete the form correctly in Colorado.

How to fill out a Colorado truck bill of sale

Total time: 5–10 minutes

You will need:

  • Signed vehicle title
  • Government-issued ID for both parties
  • Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
  1. Enter seller and buyer names

    Write the full legal names and current addresses of both the seller and buyer exactly as they appear on their government-issued IDs. Errors here can delay the Colorado DMV title transfer.

  2. Add vehicle details

    Record the truck's year, make, model, and color. Double-check the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) from the dashboard or door jamb.

  3. Record the sale price and date

    Write the agreed sale price in both numerals and words to prevent disputes. Enter the exact date the ownership changes hands — this date triggers the Colorado title transfer deadline.

  4. Disclose the odometer reading

    Write the exact mileage shown on the odometer at the time of sale. Federal law (49 CFR Part 580) requires this disclosure for most motor vehicles under 20 years old — omitting it can void the sale.

  5. Both parties sign the bill of sale

    Seller and buyer both sign and date the completed form. Each party keeps a signed original. Colorado may require the signed bill of sale at the DMV to complete the title transfer.

  6. Download and print a copy for each party

    Print at least two copies — one for the buyer to submit to the DMV and one for the seller to keep as proof the vehicle was sold. Store your copy for at least three years.

Colorado Truck transfer fees and requirements

In Colorado, the title transfer fee is $7.2 and registration costs $50 - $100+ based on vehicle weight and age. Truck sales are subject to 2.9% state plus local taxes; ownership tax based on age. Colorado does not require notarization for private-party truck transfers. Emission testing is required in Colorado — verify the truck passes before completing the sale.

  • Emissions testing required in Denver metro and northern Front Range
  • Ownership tax calculated based on vehicle taxable value
  • VIN verification required for out-of-state vehicles

Official Colorado bill of sale form

The official Colorado bill of sale form is DR 2173 (Bill of Sale for a Motor Vehicle). BillOfSaleNow generates a document that meets all Colorado requirements and can be used in place of the official form.

Colorado sales tax on truck purchases

Colorado has a 2.9% state sales tax rate. 2.9% state plus county/city taxes (total 3–10%). Private-party truck sales in Colorado are subject to sales tax. Sales tax applies; ownership tax also assessed based on vehicle age. The title transfer fee is $7.

Truck market data and safety information

The most common truck makes in private-party sales are Ford, Chevrolet, RAM, Toyota, GMC. Average private-party truck prices range from $8,000–$55,000. The average NCAP safety rating for recent truck models is 4 out of 5 stars. Trucks average 3.8 NHTSA recalls per model across categories including Power Train, Fuel System, Steering.

Safety checkpoints for buying a used truck

Before completing a truck bill of sale in Colorado, verify these safety items:

  • Inspect frame for rust — trucks used in salt-belt states often have hidden corrosion
  • Check 4WD/AWD transfer case engagement and operation
  • Verify towing package wiring and hitch receiver condition
  • Test tailgate mechanism and bed liner condition

Truck insurance and depreciation in Colorado

Full-size trucks cost 10–20% more to insure than sedans. Lifted trucks or diesel modifications may increase premiums further. Trucks hold value better than cars — full-size pickups retain 60–70% of value after 5 years. Diesel models retain the most. Peak season for private truck sales is late spring through summer when construction and outdoor activity demand rises, with an average of 18 days on market.

Truck registration and titling

Trucks are classified as "Light truck (under 8,500 lbs) or Medium truck (8,500–26,000 lbs)" for registration purposes. Trucks under 16,000 lbs GVWR follow passenger rules. Over 16,000 lbs GVWR triggers commercial vehicle requirements and federal odometer exemption. Federal odometer disclosure is required for trucks under 20 years old.

Odometer disclosure for truck sales

Trucks with a GVWR of 16,000 lbs or more are exempt from federal odometer disclosure under 49 CFR 580.17(a). Light-duty pickup trucks under that threshold require standard odometer disclosure if less than 20 years old.

  • Applicable law: 49 CFR 580.17(a) — Odometer exemption for vehicles over 16,000 lbs GVWR

Required disclosures for truck sales in Colorado

When selling a truck in Colorado, the following disclosures apply:

  • GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) should be documented — it determines odometer, registration, and licensing requirements.
  • Trucks over 8,500 lbs GVWR may require commercial plates in some states.
  • Diesel emission system (DEF/DPF) delete modifications are illegal under the Clean Air Act and should be disclosed.

Colorado bill of sale statistics

BillOfSaleNow has generated 1,683 bill of sale documents for Colorado transactions, with 45 generated this month alone. The most popular vehicle type is car.

Generate your document

If you prefer to generate a completed Colorado truck bill of sale automatically, you can create one here.

Why Documentation Helps Protect Asking Price

45% faster sale

Vehicles whose listings include a history report spend ~45% less time on site before selling, and report-viewers are 5x more likely to become a lead.

Source: Experian / AutoCheck

$4,000 avg loss

NHTSA estimates 450,000+ vehicles per year are sold with rolled-back odometers — the average victim loses about $4,000 in downstream repair costs.

Source: NHTSA

17.5M private sales/yr

About 17.5 million private-party vehicle transactions happen in the U.S. each year — roughly 47% of the used market.

Source: Cox Automotive 2024

1 in 3 buyers

Roughly 1 in 3 used-car buyers say they suspect private sellers are hiding mechanical problems — documentation closes that trust gap.

Source: JW Surety Bonds (n=3,000)

Informational purposes only. This content is provided for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Laws vary by state and individual circumstances differ. Consult a licensed attorney for jurisdiction-specific guidance on vehicle transfers, title requirements, or related legal matters.