Colorado Car Sales Tax Calculator
Colorado charges a state vehicle sales/use tax of 2.90% on a car purchase. On a $20,000 vehicle that is about $580.00 in state tax before any local add-ons. Enter your own price below — and your trade-in, if Colorado allows a trade-in credit — to estimate what you'll owe.
Quick answer: Colorado’s state vehicle sales/use tax rate is 2.90%. Local (county/city) taxes may apply on top.
Estimate your Colorado car sales tax
Enter the vehicle price. If Colorado gives a trade-in tax credit, add your trade-in value to reduce the taxable amount.
State rate only. Many Colorado counties and cities add a local sales tax on top, so your actual total may be higher. Trade-in credit rules vary — confirm eligibility with the official source below.
How Colorado taxes a car purchase
| State vehicle sales/use tax rate | 2.90% |
| Taxable amount | Price − trade-in credit (where allowed) |
| Local / county tax | Varies by jurisdiction — added on top of the state rate |
Colorado charges a $7.20 title fee. State sales tax is 2.9%; counties and cities add their own taxes (combined rates can exceed 8%). Annual ownership tax replaces traditional registration fee components and varies by vehicle age/value.
What this estimate excludes
- Local and district taxes. County, city, and transit taxes are added on top of the Colorado state rate.
- Title, registration, and plate fees. These are separate from sales tax — use the Colorado registration and title-transfer calculators for those.
- Dealer documentation fees. A dealer “doc fee” is charged on top and is often itself taxable.
- Exemptions. Gifts, inheritance, and certain family transfers may be exempt — confirm with Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles.
Official Colorado source
↗Colorado Division of Motor Vehiclesdmv.colorado.govRelated Colorado tools & guides
Frequently asked questions
How much is sales tax on a car in Colorado?
The Colorado state vehicle sales/use tax rate is 2.90%. Multiply it by the taxable purchase price (usually the price minus any trade-in credit). Counties and cities may add a local sales tax on top, so confirm your combined rate with Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles.
Do I pay sales tax when buying a used car from a private seller in Colorado?
In most states, sales or use tax on a private-party vehicle purchase is collected when you title and register the car, not at the point of sale. The rate is generally the same as a dealer sale. Confirm the private-sale rules with Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles.
Does Colorado give a sales tax credit for a trade-in?
Most states tax only the difference between the vehicle price and your trade-in value, which lowers the tax you owe. A handful of states tax the full price with no trade-in credit. Verify Colorado's treatment before you rely on the estimate above.
Are there local or county car sales taxes in Colorado?
Often, yes. The rate shown here is the Colorado state rate only; many counties, cities, and transit districts add a local sales tax on vehicle purchases, so your combined rate can be higher. Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles publishes the official combined rates.
Last reviewed: 2026-01-01 · Reviewed by the Car Paperwork editorial team · Based on official Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles sources · Independent resource · Not legal advice