Buying a New Car in Colorado

When buying a new car in Colorado, it helps to be as informed as possible about the fees associated with registering and titling a vehicle, as well as any special requirements that might exist from a tax perspective. It can also do a world of good to know which towns offer the best prospects for finding a range of car and truck dealerships that can help you explore a few different options before settling on a specific vehicle to purchase. This article aids new car buyers on both counts, and helps them settle in with peace of mind parked in the driveway.

The Rocky Mountains might dominate the public perception of Colorado, but the state also features a number of other breathtaking natural features, including wide open plains that offer a stark relief when compared against its famous mountain ranges. A strong truck and SUV market exists in Colorado thanks to the ruggedness of its terrain, but major cities such as Denver also fuel the existence of a number of other more general vehicle dealerships. In fact, Denver and the surrounding towns offer the greatest number of new car lots. However, Colorado Springs is not far behind, with Durango and Montrose serving the more far-flung areas of the state.

When buying a new car in Colorado, you shouldn't have any trouble getting the dealership in question to file all of the necessary paperwork for you and then pass along the costs to the bottom line of your vehicle purchase. Colorado's fees for registering a vehicle are fairly complicated, and are related to the age and weight of the vehicle in question. The date a vehicle is registered can also play a role in the total amount owed upon purchasing a new car. In general, automobiles between 2,001 lbs and 5,000 lbs cost $32.00 to register until 2010, when the fee will increase to $36.50. Heavier pickups and SUV's that weigh between 5,001 lbs and 10,000 lbs must pay $39.50 until 2010, when the fee goes up to $45.25. License fees, in addition to registration, range between $20.00 and $30.00 for the average vehicle.

Colorado sales tax is set at 2.9%, but county and city sales taxes can raise the total owed by an appreciable amount. An ownership tax, calculated based on the value of your new car or truck, must also be paid. Passenger vehicles and trucks are taxed based on a percentage of their MSRP, not the actual purchase price. The rate of taxation can vary depending upon the county you reside in.