What Is a Bill of Sale in Colorado?
A Colorado bill of sale is a written record showing that you transferred personal property to a buyer. It identifies both parties, describes the item, and records the purchase price and sale date.
The document can protect you by providing evidence of when the sale occurred and what terms you agreed to. For titled property, it supports the ownership transfer but does not replace the title or other documents required by a state agency.
Colorado Bill of Sale Requirements
Colorado does not use one bill of sale format for every type of property. However, your form should generally include:
- Your full legal name, address, and contact information
- The buyer’s full legal name, address, and contact information
- A detailed and clear description of the property and its condition
- The VIN, HIN, serial number, or another identifier, when applicable
- The purchase price and payment terms
- The date and, when relevant, time of the sale
- Any warranties, disclosures, or an “as is” clause
- Your signature and the buyer’s signature
For a private vehicle sale, include the year, make, model, VIN, purchase price, sale date, and both parties’ names and signatures.
The Colorado DMV recommends a bill of sale, but one is not needed for the title transfer when the title contains all required information. It is required when the sale price is missing from the title.
Also, while it may be recommended, notarization is generally not required for a private bill of sale.
Types of Colorado Bills of Sale
If you are planning on selling a particular type of vehicle, choose a specific version of a bill of sale for Colorado form that matches the property being transferred, which includes:
- General: Furniture, electronics, and other types of property
- Car: Cars, trucks, vans, and other road vehicles
- Boat: Motorboats and other types of watercraft
- Trailer: Utility, travel, and other trailers
- Motorcycle: Motorcycles and qualifying motor-driven cycles
- Firearm: Handguns, rifles, and other types of firearms
- Livestock: Cattle and other livestock
- Horse: Horses, ponies, and more
Colorado General Bill of Sale
A general bill of sale records your sale of personal property that does not need a specialized vehicle or vessel form. Describe each item clearly and state whether it is sold “as is” or with a warranty. An “as is” clause does not protect fraud or intentional concealment.
Create Your Colorado General Bill of Sale
Bill of Sale for a Car in Colorado
A Colorado vehicle bill of sale, also known as a Colorado motor vehicle bill of sale or an auto bill of sale, records a private car transfer and supports the signed title. In this document, you’ll need to list the vehicle details, price, date, mileage, and both signatures.
Create Your Colorado Car Bill of Sale
Colorado Boat Bill of Sale
A Colorado boat bill of sale may provide proof of ownership for registration with Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Include both parties’ printed names and signatures, the HIN, make, model, year, sale date, and price. The buyer may carry the signed form as temporary registration for up to 30 days.
Create Your Colorado Boat Bill of Sale
Colorado Trailer Bill of Sale
A Colorado trailer bill of sale documents the transfer of a utility, cargo, boat, livestock, or travel trailer. Record the VIN or identification number, year, make, model, or body type, sale price, date, and signatures. List a trailer separately when it is sold with another item.
Create Your Colorado Trailer Bill of Sale
Colorado Motorcycle Bill of Sale
If you plan on selling a motorcycle, scooter, or other type of motor-driven cycle, you can use a Colorado motorcycle bill of sale, which lists the VIN, year, make, model, color, and more characteristics of the vehicle.
Create Your Colorado Motorcycle Bill of Sale
How to Write a Bill of Sale in Colorado
Select the Colorado bill of sale template you need on Lumr and follow these steps to prepare your document.
- 1
Add your information
Enter your full name, address, and contact information.
- 2
State who the buyer is
Include the buyer’s full legal name, address, and contact details.
- 3
Describe the property being sold
Record the make, model, condition, VIN, HIN, serial number, or other identifying features.
- 4
Enter the sale details
Mention the purchase price, payment method, sale date, and transfer time when relevant in the Colorado BOS form.
- 5
Set the terms
Add any warranties, disclosures, included accessories, payment conditions, or “as is” language.
- 6
Review and sign the document
Once completed, go over every detail, sign with the buyer, and keep a completed copy for your records.
Colorado Seller Requirements: DMV Report Release of Liability
When selling a vehicle privately, properly endorse the Colorado Certificate of Title, complete the odometer disclosure, and give the title to the buyer. Provide a bill of sale and emissions certificate when required. You should also remove your license plates because they remain with you.
The DMV advises you to report the transfer within five days through the my DMV Report Release of Liability service or your county motor vehicle office.
To submit the report, you need:
- Your license plate number
- The VIN or verification code from your registration card
Reporting is voluntary, but it can protect you from liability. Keep the confirmation and signed bill of sale. The buyer must still complete the title transfer.