Colorado Car Registration Fee Calculator
Estimate your Specific Ownership Tax (SOT) and registration costs.
Estimated Registration Breakdown
*Disclaimer: These are estimates based on standard Colorado DMV formulas. Actual costs vary by county and specific plate types.
How Colorado Car Registration Fees are Calculated
In Colorado, vehicle registration is not a flat fee. It is primarily composed of the Specific Ownership Tax (SOT), which is a property tax paid in lieu of personal property tax. This is why registering a brand-new vehicle in Colorado can cost several hundred, or even over a thousand, dollars.
1. Specific Ownership Tax (SOT)
The SOT is calculated based on the vehicle's "Taxable Value," which the Colorado Department of Revenue defines as 85% of the original Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP). The tax rate decreases as the vehicle ages:
- 1st Year: 2.10% of taxable value
- 2nd Year: 1.50% of taxable value
- 3rd Year: 1.20% of taxable value
- 4th Year: 0.90% of taxable value
- 5th – 9th Year: 0.45% of taxable value
- 10th Year+: Typically a flat $3.00 fee
2. Weight-Based Registration Fees
Beyond the property tax, Colorado charges license fees based on the vehicle's empty weight. For most passenger vehicles under 2,000 lbs, the base fee starts around $12, increasing for heavier SUVs and trucks. Most common sedans and crossovers fall into the $35 – $60 range for base registration fees.
3. Electric Vehicle (EV) Fees
Since July 2021, Colorado has implemented an "EV Road Usage Equalization Fee." Because electric vehicle owners do not pay the state fuel tax at the pump, this fee helps fund road maintenance. As of 2024, this fee is approximately $52.00 for full EVs and slightly less for Plug-in Hybrids.
Example Calculation
If you purchase a new SUV with an MSRP of $40,000:
- Taxable Value: $40,000 x 0.85 = $34,000
- SOT (Year 1): $34,000 x 0.021 = $714.00
- Weight Fees: ~$45.00
- Total: Approximately $759.00 + local county fees