What an expired-registration ticket costs in Colorado

There is a grace month for renewing, but no statute or DMV page says outright whether driving during it is lawful. C.R.S. §42-3-114 lets you renew until the last day of the month after expiration, the DMV late fee starts only after that month, and the §42-3-114 fine schedule counts only the days “beyond renewal period”. But the DMV describes the month as a window to renew without a late fee, C.R.S. §42-3-121(1)(a) separately bars driving a vehicle that is not registered and does not display the plates issued for the current year, and the Adams County clerk warns that expired plates may not be displayed on any vehicle driven on Colorado roads. Renew before you drive, and before the expiration date if you will drive out of state: Boulder County notes other states may not recognize Colorado’s grace period.

It can, but the judge decides. Under C.R.S. §42-4-1720, in effect since August 6, 2025, a court may dismiss a §42-3-114 ticket if the registration was expired no more than four months when you were cited and you renew before your first court date. A municipal court also charges a $30 administrative dismissal fee. Don’t pay the ticket first if you want the dismissal, because payment closes the case.

No. Expired registration under C.R.S. §42-3-114 is a class B traffic infraction, which §42-4-1701(1) makes a civil matter with a money penalty only, and it adds no license points. Jail is possible only for different conduct, such as displaying a tab or plate you know is fictitious or altered, a class 2 misdemeanor traffic offense under §42-3-121(2)(b).

Under the statewide schedule for §42-3-114: $35 plus an $8 surcharge if the registration has been expired 1 to 29 days beyond the renewal period, $50 plus $12 at 30 to 59 days, and $75 plus $18 at 60 days or more. Paying the penalty assessment also carries a $1 surcharge (§42-4-1701(4)(a)(VI)(A)) and a $2.50 surcharge (C.R.S. §24-33.5-415.6(6)); check the amount due on your ticket. A second conviction within 12 months is set by the court at $15 to $100. The DMV then adds its late fee when you renew, $25 a month after the grace month up to $100, plus back taxes and fees for the lapsed months. A 2026 law, HB 26-1430, would have cut that late fee to $15.50 a month, capped at $62, from January 1, 2027 (C.R.S. §42-3-112(1.6)), but only if voters approved a road-funding constitutional initiative at the November 2026 election. The Secretary of State lists that initiative (#175) as withdrawn, so the cut is not expected to take effect.