When purchasing a boat in Colorado, there must be a Colorado boat bill of sale. This protects the parties and documents the transfer of ownership of the watercraft. This Colorado bill of sale for boats is between two or more parties.

Once you have this boat bill of sale, you must use it to register your boat with the state. You can use the bill of sale in place of registration temporarily as long as you get registration within 30 days.

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Colorado Boat Bill of Sale Requirements
Colorado Boat Bill of Sale Template

Colorado Boat Bill of Sale Requirements

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) provides a bill of sale on its website that can be used for vessels, or you can draft your boat bill of sale. Regardless of what you choose, the document must contain the following:

The names, contact information, and signatures of the buyer and seller
The hull identification number or HIN
The make, model, and year the vessel was built
The selling price
The purchase date and time

Many Colorado bills of sale from various counties carry a penalty of perjury. For example, Broomfield County’s bill of sale states, “…under the penalty of perjury in the second degree, we swear and affirm that the above information is true and correct to the best of our knowledge.”

Perjury in the second degree in Colorado is defined, by Colorado Revised Statutes, Section 18-8-503, as “[making] a materially false statement with an intent to mislead a public servant in the performance of his duty, which [is not believed] to be true, under oath required or authorized by law,” and is punishable by 6 to 18 months in county jail, or a fine ranging from $500 to $5,000. It is considered a Class 1 misdemeanor.

Does a Boat Bill of Sale Have to be Notarized in Colorado?

A boat bill of sale in Colorado does not need to be notarized. It does help make for a smoother transfer of ownership and protects the buyer and seller from fraud or scams.

After Purchasing a Vessel

Private Sales

For buyers:

You must register the following vessels with the CPW: all sail-powered and motor-powered boats. Exceptions include canoes, kayaks, and ships registered in other states using Colorado’s waters for less than 60 days.
You may use a bill of sale to temporarily register your vessel until you can permanently register it with the CPW. You can only do this for 30 days.
You can mail your registration documents to the Parks and Wildlife Registration Unit or register your vessel in person. You will need a Registration Application, proof of ownership documents, such as a bill of sale or previous registration, or a Title Court-issued document that concerns vessel ownership. Your registration will be valid from January 1st through December 31st, no matter when you registered your vessel.
You will be given a Colorado registration number but no decals. You can attach the number or paint it on your vessel on each side of the bow. It should be in a contrasting tone so it is always visible.
Vessel registration fees are dependent on a vessel’s length. They are as follows:
- Less than 20 feet: $35.25
- 20 feet to 30 feet: $45.25
- 30 feet and longer: $75.25
If you lose or damage your registration card, you must obtain a replacement from the CPW. You must mail the Park and Wildlife Registration Unit explaining why you need a replacement and the $5 fee.