Definitions:

Vehicle Type:  The passenger vehicle category includes sedan (4 door), coupe (2 door), convertible (CV), hatchback or lift back (3 or 5 door) station wagon (SW), passenger van (PV), and passenger utility (UP) or sport utility (SUV).  The light truck vehicle category includes open bed pick up (PK) trucks and cargo vans (VN) with an empty weight of 16,000 lbs or less.  This estimation program will not calculate registration fees for heavy-duty commercial trucks such as dump trucks, trash trucks, etc.

MSRP (Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price):  The manufactures suggested retail price of a motor vehicle including any accessory or item of optional equipment physically attached to such vehicle prior to the sale to the purchaser.  The MSRP is used to determine the taxable value. 

Note: The purchase price cannot be used for the MSRP.

Fuel:  Gas/Other means all fuel types except diesel.

Taxable Value: A percentage of the MSRP (Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price).  If the vehicle is a passenger vehicle multiply the MSRP by 85% and the sum is the taxable value.  If the vehicle is a light truck multiply the MSRP by 75% and the sum is the taxable value. 

The taxable value is used to determine ownership taxes due.  You can find the taxable value on your application for title or Colorado title provided to you by the dealer.  If you financed your vehicle purchase a Title Complete Notice will be forwarded to you and notes the taxable value.

Note:  The purchase price cannot be used for the taxable value.  Taxable values do not change throughout the life of the vehicle.  The tax factors used to calculate ownership taxes decrease as the vehicle ages.

CWT (Hundred weight): Using the empty weight, round up to the nearest hundred pounds and drop the last two zeroes.  Example:  Empty weight 4,726 pounds = 48 CWT.  Title Complete Notices generated when the application for title has been processed indicates the CWT.  Selling dealers can provide you the empty weight.

Purchase Date:  The purchase date is used to calculate prior ownership taxes due from the date of sale to date of registration.  If you have not purchased the vehicle enter the estimated purchase date.

Registration date: Registration date is the date when plates and registration is issued to your vehicle.  The registration date is used to calculate ownership taxes due for the twelve- month period.  If you do not have a definite registration date enter the estimated registration date.

Prior Ownership Tax: Ownership Tax is equivalent to personal property tax. Prior ownership taxes are calculated from the month following the month of purchase through the month of the application for registration. 

Example:  Month following the month of purchase is February.  Month of application for registration is March.  Prior ownership taxes will be assessed for two months of prior ownership taxes.

Ownership Tax: Ownership tax is based on the vehicle year of manufacture and the taxable value of the vehicle.  The taxable value will not change during the life of the vehicle.  The calculation used to determine ownership taxes due will change as the vehicle ages.

Ownership tax is always calculated for 12 months based on the month following the month of application for registration through the determined expire month next year.

License Fee: License fee is based on the empty weight of the vehicle (CWT) and vehicle type.  Additional fees that may be included in the license fee are based on vehicle type, age of vehicle, fuel type, and material fees (plates and validation stickers) are:  Highway user fee;

Emission fee; Diesel fee; Emergency Medical Services fee; Motorist Insurance Identification fee; and Peace Officer Standards & Training fee. 

Issuance of Designer plates, Special Organizational plates and Military plates will increase the license fee by $50.00 for the first time issuance and at time of replacement.  Designer plate registration will include an additional $25.00 annually assessed at time of renewal.

Bridge Safety Surcharge: Provides for “Funding Advancement For Surface Transportation and Economic Recovery” as described in Senate Bill 09-108. This surcharge shall be imposed on any registration made on or after July 1, 2009.

Road Safety Surcharge: Provides for “Funding Advancement For Surface Transportation and Economic Recovery as described in Senate Bill 09-108.  This surcharge shall be imposed on any registration made on or after July 1, 2009.