Colorado Revised Statutes

Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-6-119 (2026)

Certificates for vehicles registered in other states

✓ current as of July 2026

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(1) When a resident of the state acquires the ownership of a motor or off-highway vehicle for which a certificate of title has been issued by a state other than Colorado, the person acquiring the vehicle shall apply to the director or an authorized agent for the filing of a certificate of title as in other cases.

(2) If a dealer acquires the ownership of a motor or off-highway vehicle by lawful means and the vehicle is titled under the laws of a state other than Colorado, the dealer need not file a Colorado certificate of title for the vehicle so long as the vehicle remains in the dealer's possession and at the dealer's place of business solely for the purpose of sale.

(3) Upon the sale by a dealer of a motor or off-highway vehicle, the certificate of title to which was issued in a state other than Colorado, the dealer shall, within thirty days after the sale, deliver or facilitate the delivery to the purchaser the certificate of title, duly and properly endorsed or assigned to the purchaser, with a statement by the dealer containing or accompanied by a written declaration that it is made under the penalties of perjury in the second degree, as defined in section 18-8-503, C.R.S., and setting forth the following:

(a) That the dealer, by the execution of the affidavit, warrants to the purchaser and all persons who claim through the named purchaser that, at the time of the sale, transfer, and delivery by the dealer, the vehicle described was free and clear of all liens and mortgages except as might appear in the certificate of title;

(b) That the vehicle is not a stolen vehicle; and

(4) (a) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (4)(b) of this section, if the purchaser of the vehicle completes and includes the vehicle identification number inspection form as part of the application for filing of a Colorado certificate of title to the vehicle and accompanies the application with the affidavit required by subsection (3) of this section and the duly endorsed or assigned certificate of title from a state other than Colorado, a Colorado certificate of title may be filed in the same manner as upon the sale or transfer of a motor or off-highway vehicle for which a Colorado certificate of title has been issued or filed. Upon the filing by the director or the authorized agent of the certificate of title, the director or the authorized agent may dispose of the certificate of title and shall record the certificate of title as provided in section 42-6-124.

(b) If an applicant for the filing of a Colorado certificate of title for a vehicle for which another state has issued a certificate of title presents either a copy of a manufacturer's certificate of origin or a purchase receipt from the dealer or the out-of-state seller from whom the applicant purchased the vehicle and either document indicates that the applicant purchased the vehicle as new, the applicant need not include a vehicle identification number inspection form as part of the application.

Source: L. 94: Entire title amended with relocations, p. 2457, § 1, effective January 1, 1995. L. 95: (3) and (5) amended, p. 158, § 1, effective July 1. L. 2000: (1), (2), and (4) amended, p. 1662, § 13, effective July 1, 2001. L. 2005: Entire section amended, p. 816, § 17, effective August 8. L. 2013: Entire section amended, (SB 13-280), ch. 407, p. 2384, § 15, effective June 5. L. 2017: (4) amended, (HB 17-1105), ch. 44, p. 130, § 3, effective March 16.

Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 42-6-118 as it existed prior to 1994, and the former § 42-6-119 was relocated to § 42-6-120.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 6 cases, 1979–2006 · leading case: People v. Armijo, 589 P.2d 935 (Colo. 1979).

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People v. Armijo, 589 P.2d 935 (Colo. 1979). · cites it 8× “*94 Additionally, the court ruled that the bank’s security interest in the vehicle had not been perfected by reason of the failure to file the chattel mortgage with the Clerk and Recorder as required by section 42-6-119, C.R.S. 1973. The court thereupon dismissed all three…”

Gen. Motors Acceptance Corp. v. Martella (In Re Martella), 22 B.R. 649 (Bankr.D. Colo. 1982). · cites it 2× “Under Colorado law, a creditor cannot obtain a judicial lien superior to a transferee’s interest once the requirements for the recording of the lien on a motor vehicle set out in Colo.Rev.Stat. §§ 42-6-119, 120 (1973) are fulfilled.”

Hepner v. Americredit Fin. Servs. Inc. (In Re Baker), 345 B.R. 261 (D. Colo. 2006). · cites it 2× “§ 42-6-120 (2005)(listing sources for 2005 law); Colo. Rev.Stat. Ann. § 42-6-119 (1973)(same for 1973 law).”

Vance v. Casebolt, 841 P.2d 394 (Colo. Ct. App. 1992). · cites it 3× “urity interest is subordinate to the rights of: [[Image here]] (c) In the case of goods, [a] person who is not a secured party and who is a transferee in bulk or other buyer not in ordinary course of business, [to] the extent that he gives value and receives delivery of the…”

Yeager Trucking v. Circle Leasing of Colorado Corp. (In Re Yeager Trucking), 29 B.R. 131 (Bankr.D. Colo. 1983). “Perfection of security interests in motor vehicles is governed by 1973 C.R.S. 42-6-119 and 120. Basically, § 119 requires substantial compliance with the provisions of § 120 to perfect the mortgage and give notice to the world of each and every right of the person secured by…”

In Re Grizaffi, 23 B.R. 137 (Bankr.D. Colo. 1982). “§ 42-6-119 and 120 (1973) to perfect a security interest in a vehicle requiring a certificate of title the mortgage must be shown on the face of the title.”

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