Registrations
Registering an Off-Highway Vehicle in Colorado
All Off-Highway Vehicles must have either a current or valid Colorado Registration Card and two Decals or one Colorado Off-Highway Vehicle Permit to operate in Colorado. This includes while in route, in staging areas and on public land roads and designated trails. Regardless of when they are purchased, both OHV Registrations and Permits are valid from April 1 through March 31 each year and are required annually.
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Registration and Permits
Colorado Resident Registration Card and Decals
Resident OHVs must have both a valid OHV Registration card available with the vehicle, and two current OHV Registration decals properly displayed on and affixed to the vehicle. Fees include the search and rescue fee.
Registering for the First Time
To register your OHV you will need a registration application, payment and proof of ownership with you. Registration services are available at any Colorado Parks and Wildlife location or Registration and Permit Vendor.
Registration applicants must provide acceptable proof of ownership for boat, snowmobile and off-highway vehicle registrations in the form of one of the following:
- Bill of sale* that includes both the seller and buyer's printed names and signatures, the vessel/vehicle identification number (if any), the vessel/vehicle make, model and year (if known), and the date of the sale;
- Previous registration certificate issued by a governmental entity that lists the applicant as registered owner;
- Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin (MCO)/Manufacturer Statement of Origin (MSO);
- Certificate of Title;
- Any court-issued document proving ownership;
- A collection of personal property by affidavit form pursuant to 15-12-1201, C.R.S.;
- A physical inspection form completed by a CPW agent
*An acceptable private party-to-private party Bill of Sale Template can be downloaded for your use.
Send the completed registration form, along with payment and acceptable proof of ownership to:
CPW Registration Unit
13787 US Hwy 85 N
Littleton, CO 80125
Bring a completed registration form, payment and proof of ownership with you to register at any Colorado Parks and Wildlife location or Registration and Permit Vendor.
Renew an Existing Registration
Existing registrations can be renewed 45 days in advance of expiring.
Vehicle owners can renew online or by phone (800) 244-5613. You’ll need your customer identification number (CID) and your vehicle registration number. Your registration confirmation receipt will be emailed to your email address on file shortly after your purchase. If you want to ride within the next 30 days, you’ll want to print your registration confirmation receipt. You are required to carry your registration confirmation receipt on you while in the field, until you receive your registration card and decals.
Owners can renew at most Colorado Parks and Wildlife locations. Call ahead when visiting a location to make sure they offer the service(s) you need.
Your registration card and official decals will arrive by mail in approximately 10-20 business days. If you do not receive your registration card and decals within 30 business days after a new registration submission or registration renewal, you should contact the CPW call center Mon. - Fri. between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. MT (303) 297-1192 or visit a CPW location for help researching your issue.
Where To Place the Decals on the Vehicle
Utility-Terrain Vehicle (UTV)/Side by Sides (SxS) and Off Road Buggy
For displaying decals on utility-terrain vehicles (UTV)/side by sides (SxS) and off road buggies/rock crawlers, position one decal on each of the outside faces of the roll bars in an observable location.
All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV)
For displaying decals on four wheel ATVs, place decals in an observable location on each side of the front fenders.
Three Wheeler and Dirt Bike
For displaying decals on dirt bikes (off road motorcycles) and on three wheel ATVs, position one decal on each of the outside faces of the upper end of the forks.
Lost or Stolen Registration
If your registration card or decals have been lost, stolen or destroyed, you will have to purchase a duplicate registration. Duplicate registrations can be purchased online, over the phone at (800) 244-5613 or in person at a CPW location. If purchased in person at a CPW location, you will not receive your registration card and decals immediately. CPW staff will provide you with a new temporary registration and your registration card and decals will be mailed to your address on file.
Permit Requirements
A Colorado OHV Permit is required for all plated, street legal vehicles (resident and nonresident) when traveling on any designated OHV trail and/or open area for recreational use on public lands. The OHV Permit sticker must be properly displayed on the vehicle or the owner must carry the non-stick bright green OHV Permit.
Nonresidents
All Non-Resident OHVs must have one valid OHV Permit properly displayed on and affixed to the vehicle or carry the valid bright green OHV Permit. Permits are valid March 1 - March 31 of the following year. Non-residents are not required to register their OHVs (but may choose to do so). If a non-resident chooses to register their OHV they are required to provide acceptable proof of ownership.
Colorado Off-Highway Vehicle Permit (non-stick bright green paper)
Permits can be purchased online or in person at CPW Locations or qualified sales agents and the permit will be given to you.
Purchase Online or by Phone
Purchase online or by phone (800) 244-5613 and the bright green non-stick permit will arrive by mail in approximately 10-20 business days. Your permit confirmation receipt will be sent to your email address on file shortly after your purchase. It includes the Temporary Authorization Number (TAN), valid for 45 days, and is the authorization to ride while you wait for your OHV permit to arrive in the mail. Make sure you print or download your confirmation receipt. Carry it with you.
Purchase a Permit Purchase at an Office
Purchase in person at CPW Locations or sales agents and the permit will be given to you. Call ahead for hours of operation, especially if planning to ride on a weekend or holiday.
Find an OfficeColorado Off-Highway Vehicle Permit (sticker)
Purchase at an Office
Purchase at Colorado Parks and Wildlife Locations that carry the sticker or various Registration and Permit Vendors around the state and receive the OHV Permit sticker immediately. Call ahead for sticker Permit availability and hours of operation, especially if planning to ride on a weekend or holiday. OHV permit (sticker) must be affixed to your vehicle.
Find an OfficeWhere To Place the Permit on the Vehicle
All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV)
To display a permit on a four wheel ATV, place the decal in an observable location on the front fender.
Utility-Terrain Vehicle (UTV)/Side by Sides (SxS) and Off Road Buggy
To display a permit on a utility-terrain-vehicles (UTV)/side by side (SxS) and off road buggy/rock crawler, position the decal on the outside face of the driver's side roll bar, in an observable location.
Three Wheeler and Dirt Bike
To display a permit on a dirt bike (off road motorcycles) and on a three wheel ATV, position the permit on the outside face of the upper end of the forks.
Plated, Street-Legal Vehicle
Display the permit to the right of the front license plate.
Lost or Stolen Permit
If your permit has been lost, stolen or destroyed, you will have to purchase a new permit. A new OHV permit (non-stick) can be purchased online or by phone at (800) 244-5613 or in person at any CPW Location or sales agents. A new OHV permit (sticker) can be purchased at CPW locations or at various OHV permit vendors. Call ahead when visiting a location to make sure they offer the service(s) you need.
Registration Fees
Fee |
Description |
Duration |
Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Off-Highway Vehicle Registration |
Colorado Resident |
April 1 to March 31 |
$26.25* |
|
Off-Highway Vehicle Permit |
Nonresident and Plated, Street-Legal Vehicles |
April 1 to March 31 |
$26.25* |
|
Replacement Registration |
Colorado Resident |
Valid through March 31 |
$5.00 |
|
Replacement Permit |
Nonresident and Plated, Street-Legal Vehicles |
Valid through March 31 |
$26.25* |
*Cost of registration includes $1.25 Search and Rescue Surcharge
The registration fee cannot be prorated for a partial year's registration, and will not be subject to refund if the machine is sold or stolen. Both registrations and permits are non refundable and non transferable.
New OHVs
Purchasing an Off-Highway Vehicle
Dealers are required by law to complete the registration application for you and collect the registration fee before the vehicle leaves their premises. The dealer will forward the application to our office where we will process the request.
If purchasing a snowmobile from a private party, have the seller provide you with a Bill of Sale to serve as your proof of ownership. An acceptable bill of sale includes:
- Both the seller and buyer’s printed names and signatures
- The vehicle identification number
- The vehicle make, model and year (if known)
- The date of the sale
An acceptable private party to private party Bill of Sale template can be downloaded for your use. When you purchase a vehicle from a private party, you may use your Bill of Sale as a temporary registration for 30 days. The Bill of Sale must be carried on the vehicle while riding until the registration decals and card get to you in the mail. Sorry, at this time, online registration for a newly purchased OHV is not available.
Title is required for all power sports vehicle dealers and auctioneer sales. OHV titling is optional for private party to private party sales. For titling information, view Titling Off Road Vehicles SB13-280 on the Department of Revenue website.
Help Us Keep Your Record(s) Accurate
Be sure to double check your online account and update your contact information, mailing address, email address and phone number whenever you purchase products from CPW so you will receive our renewal reminders. CPW cannot be responsible for customer data entry errors made during online purchases, and record corrections are charged the applicable replacement fee.
A trail crew member working on trail management.
State Trails Program
Where the Money Goes
The Colorado Off-Highway Vehicle Registration Program fees fund trail maintenance, construction, trailheads, parking areas, trail signs, maps, and land acquisition. It also enables law enforcement personnel to identify and return stolen vehicles, encourages safe and responsible OHV use, and promotes respect for public lands.
Many groups benefit from OHV registration, including: