The Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) sets the rules below.
When you count as a Colorado resident
You're considered a resident once you:
- Own or operate a business in Colorado, or
- Work in Colorado, or
- Have lived in Colorado for 90 days in a row.
Your driver license: within 30 days
- Every applicant needs an appointment at a state driver license office. You can pre-register online first.
- Bring your license from your previous state (valid, or expired less than a year), or a motor vehicle report dated within 30 days.
- Bring the identification and proof-of-address documents on the DMV's checklist.
- Colorado is a REAL ID state.
Your car: within 90 days
Register your car with the motor vehicle office of the county where you live. Bring the title or current registration, and have the car's VIN verified by someone the state allows, such as a licensed Colorado dealer or emissions testing station.