By Haul Handbook editorial team· Updated Oct 6, 2026
Colorado apportioned registration is run by the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles, part of the Department of Revenue. New IRP accounts are opened online or in person at the State DMV office at 3265 S Wadsworth Blvd in Lakewood on Form DR 7553. The application needs USDOT and FEIN numbers, three proofs of a Colorado residence or place of business, Colorado or out-of-state title documents, an emissions test where the address requires one, and a validated Form 2290 for vehicles registered at 55,000 lbs or more. Colorado also offers multiyear IRP registration for commercial trailers.
Colorado IRP administration
- Process
- Complete Form DR 7553, International Registration Plan - Colorado Application, and open the account online or in person in Lakewood. Supporting documents: the IRS FEIN letter and Articles of Organization when not filing under an SSN, Colorado title or title application (or an out-of-state title showing weight, or a weight slip), a lease where the titled owner differs from the registrant, proof of emissions in the emissions counties, a validated IRS Form 2290 for vehicles hauling 55,000 lbs or more unless bought within 60 days, a valid USDOT number and FEIN (and those of any other company responsible for safety), and three proofs of residency or place of business. A letter of authorization is needed for anyone other than the owner.
- Fee structure
- Each member jurisdiction's full-year registration fee for the vehicle is multiplied by that jurisdiction's share of the fleet's total distance: miles in the jurisdiction divided by total fleet miles. Actual distance from the reporting period must be used whenever the fleet ran any; a new fleet with no actual distance is billed on Colorado's average per vehicle distance chart, never a mix of the two. A fleet whose miles were all in Colorado pays 100 percent of the Colorado fee.
To work through your mileage inputs, calculate each jurisdiction’s share of your fleet miles. The estimator apportions any full-year fees you enter; it does not contain state fee schedules or issue an official quote.
Base jurisdiction, renewal, and audit in detail
The rules that decide whether Colorado can be your base jurisdiction, what qualifies, and what happens at renewal and audit. Each one is sourced.
- Base jurisdiction rules: Summary
- Colorado is the base when the registrant has a Colorado residence or place of business, shown by three accepted proofs such as a Colorado driver's license, tax returns, a utility bill, property tax records, a lease or a Colorado business license.
- Qualifying vehicles: Summary
- IRP and IFTA share the qualified vehicle test: two axles over 26,000 lbs, three or more axles regardless of weight, or a combination over 26,000 lbs. The DMV FAQ adds that a vehicle has 18 months to travel in at least two jurisdictions under the apportionable vehicle definition.
Who registers under IRP in Colorado
Any Colorado-based truck that travels in two or more member jurisdictions and meets the weight or axle test needs apportioned plates. You need a Colorado residence or place of business, shown with three accepted proofs.
Applying for Colorado apportioned plates
Bring Form DR 7553, title documents, your USDOT number and FEIN, three proofs of residency or place of business, an emissions test if your address is in an emissions county, and a validated Form 2290 for heavier trucks. A lease is needed when the titled owner is not the registrant.
How the fee is figured
Each member jurisdiction's full-year fee for the truck is multiplied by your share of miles there, measured against your total fleet miles. A new fleet with no history is billed on Colorado's average distance chart. If all your miles were in Colorado, you pay the full Colorado fee.
What pairs with IRP
The same interstate operation that needs apportioned plates almost always needs an IFTA license through Colorado, and heavy power units owe the federal Form 2290 heavy vehicle use tax before plates renew. To compare how other states run IRP, see the national IRP registration table.