Colorado — quick answer
In Colorado, a bill of sale is situational for a private vehicle sale and notarization is not required. No witnesses are required. The relevant state form is DR 2173. Ownership is transferred through the Colorado DMV via the assigned title.
Is a bill of sale required in Colorado?
Situational. A bill of sale is required when the sale price is not listed on the title.
Seller assigns the title; the buyer titles and registers at a county motor vehicle office.
Does a Colorado bill of sale need to be notarized?
Not required. No notarization for standard private sales.
Witness requirements
No. Colorado does not require witnesses for a standard private bill of sale.
Odometer disclosure
Federal law requires a written odometer disclosure when title is transferred for vehicles less than 20 years old. As of 2026 that means model year 2011 and newer; model year 2010 and older are generally exempt. Record the exact mileage — never round it. See the NHTSA rule.
How to transfer a vehicle title in Colorado
- 1Complete the bill of sale and title assignment.
Fill in the buyer, seller, price, odometer, and date. Both parties sign and date the document.
- 2Hand over the signed title.
Seller assigns the title; the buyer titles and registers at a county motor vehicle office.
- 3Register with the Colorado DMV.
The buyer titles and registers the vehicle, bringing Bill of Sale (DR 2173). Confirm the current fees and documents on the official Colorado DMV page.
Official Colorado sources
- Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles (Department of Revenue) — buying & selling a vehicle
- NHTSA — federal odometer disclosure rule
We link to primary government sources and review this page regularly, but requirements change. This is general information, not legal advice.
Colorado bill of sale by type
Get requirements and a free template tailored to Colorado for each item type — the generator applies the Colorado notary and witness rules automatically:
Colorado bill of sale — FAQ
Is a bill of sale required in Colorado?
In Colorado, a separate bill of sale is situational. A bill of sale is required when the sale price is not listed on the title.
Does a Colorado bill of sale need to be notarized?
No. No notarization for standard private sales.
Do I need a witness for a bill of sale in Colorado?
No. Colorado does not require witnesses for a standard private bill of sale.
How do I transfer a vehicle title in Colorado?
Seller assigns the title; the buyer titles and registers at a county motor vehicle office. Titling and registration in Colorado are handled by the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles (Department of Revenue).
Is a bill of sale proof of ownership?
Generally no. For titled property like a car or boat, the title is what proves ownership. A bill of sale proves that a sale happened and records the price, date, and terms — it supports the title transfer but does not replace it. For untitled property (furniture, equipment, electronics), the signed bill of sale is usually the main proof of ownership.