Larimer County residents are required to obtain a certificate of emissions control for vehicles within a designated area of Larimer County. The test is required on:

License plates in Colorado belong to the owner and do not transfer to a buyer upon the sale of a vehicle. Plates should be removed upon sale.

Effective January 1, 2023, non-personalized green and white license plates cannot be transferred. The remaining credit can still be applied when registering a new or different vehicle. 

Out-of-State Students

If you are an out-of-state student attending school in Colorado, you have two options regarding licensing and registration of your vehicle.

The Larimer County Vehicle Licensing Department is responsible for vehicle registration, titling and issuing license plates for Larimer County residents. We accept cash, personal checks and credit/debit cards. 

Note: Credit/debit cards acceptance is provided by a third party in partnership with the State of Colorado. The price of items purchased through this service includes funds to develop, maintain, and enhance the state's official web portal, Colorado.gov. Additional fees may apply.

The Larimer County Vehicle Licensing Department is responsible for vehicle registration, titling and issuing license plates for Larimer County residents. We accept cash, personal checks and credit/debit cards. 

Note: Credit/debit cards acceptance is provided by a third party in partnership with the State of Colorado. The price of items purchased through this service includes funds to develop, maintain, and enhance the state's official web portal. Additional fees may apply.

"Retail Liquor Store" license permits the sale to the public of malt, vinous, and spirituous liquors to the public in sealed containers for consumption of the premises.

"Liquor-Licensed Drug Store" license permits licensed drugstores to sell malt, vinous, and spirituous liquors for consumption on the premises.

"Tavern" license permits the sale to the public of malt, vinous, and spirituous liquors for consumption on the premises.

Organizations incorporated under the laws of this state for the purposes of a social, fraternal, patriotic, political, or athletic nature, and not for financial gain, are allowed to sell alcohol, by the drink only, of fermented malt beverages, malt, spirituous, or vinous liquors with a liquor license special event permit.

Collecting a fee to attend or participate in an event or selling the alcohol by the drink constitutes "selling alcohol".

Liquor licenses must be renewed annually. The Department of Revenue sends the annual renewal forms to the licensee approximately 90 days prior to the expiration date. This renewal form must be completed and returned to the Larimer County Clerk and Recorder office at least 45 days prior to expiration along with the required fees. Do not return renewal applications to the state. The renewal application must first be approved by the County Commissioners. Once approved, our office will forward the application to the state.

Liquor license fees are collected by both State and County agencies. The fees vary depending on the type of license for which you are applying. Two separate checks are required - one made payable to the Colorado Department of Revenue and the other payable to the Larimer County Clerk. 

Fee Schedule provided by the Colorado Department of Revenue

If you are purchasing an establishment that currently has a liquor license in place, you will apply for a transfer of ownership, provided you are applying for the same type of license. If you intend to change the type of license, you are not eligible for a transfer of ownership and must apply for a new license. A transfer of ownership allows the new owner to continue doing business upon the issuance of a temporary permit upon approval by the County Commissioners.