Manufacturers and Distributors - Auto Industry Division

Manufacturer/Distributor License Application Checklist

1. Sale of Motor Vehicles/Powersports

Manufacturers may only sell motor vehicles/Powersports vehicles to Dealers.

2. Enfranchise

Manufacturers may not enfranchise any Dealers if they hold a dealer license.

3. Manufacture/Distributor Application

Complete and submit a Manufacturer/Distributor License Application (DR 2635) form. Sign form and do not skip any fields.

4. Secure Verifiable Identification

• All Auto Industry applications and forms require that a licensee use their FULL LEGAL name as shown on the applicants Driver License or Identification Card or proof of lawful presence document.
• Submit a photocopy or a scanned copy of an appropriate identification such as a Colorado Driver License the applicant (unless the applicant is a corporation or LLC) and all individuals or partners.
  • If the company is publicly traded, submit proof of lawful presence identification from the company designated contact person.
  •  If the company  is privately owned, each owner, partner, member, or stockholder that holds 5% or above must submit proof of lawful presence identification.

5. Verification of Fingerprints

• Go to the Verification of Fingerprints page and read the requirements that must be met.
• If the company is publicly traded, submit verification of fingerprints from the designated contact person. See Verification of Fingerprint page.
  •  If the company  is privately owned, each owner, partner, member, or stockholder that holds 5% or above must submit verification of fingerprints. See Verification of Fingerprint page.
• If you do not follow directions, your application may be rejected. 

6. Dealers Franchised to Sell

Submit a list of all Dealers franchised to sell manufacturers motor vehicles/powersports vehicles including their dealer number and address.

7. Written Warranties

Submit copies of all written warranties OR provide a written statement that none are provided.

8. Written Standard Agreement with Dealers

Submit a copy of the standard written agreement with dealers.

9. Delivery and Preparation Obligations

Submit a copy of all delivery and preparation obligations of dealers OR provide a written statement that none are required.

10. Manufacturer Certificate of Origin (MCO’s)

Submit copies of the manufacturer certificate of origin (MCO). This document issued by a vehicle manufacturer which establishes ownership of the new vehicle prior to the vehicle being titled.  This document is created by the manufacturer. 

11. Colorado Secretary of State Statement of Foreign Authority

If applicable, submit a copy of the Statement of Foreign Authority which has been filed with the Colorado Secretary of State's office.

12. Certified Court Documents

• If the applicant has ever been charged with, convicted of, received a deferred judgment/sentence, or pled no contest, to any felony, full details must be provided including type of crime, date, place of conviction, sentence received, etc. Certified court records must be included with the application. 
• If the applicant has been charged with, convicted of, received a deferred judgment/sentence, or pled no contest, to any misdemeanor crime in the past ten years, full details must be provided including type of crime, date, place of conviction, sentence received, etc. Certified court records must be included with the application. 
• It is the applicant’s responsibility to provide rehabilitation information for their criminal convictions.

13. Written Correspondence

• If you have anything you wish the Motor Vehicle Dealer Board to take into account or need to explain any licensing character, criminal character, or financial character issues please provide it with the application.
• Failure to disclose any licensing character, criminal character, or financial character issues in writing with the application is considered a material misstatement and may result in your license being denied. When in doubt provide an explanation.
• You cannot hold a license issued by the Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Revenue through the Auto Industry Division if you have been convicted of a felony within the last 10 years of an Article 3, 4, or 5 of Title 18 of the Colorado Revised Statutes or any crime involving odometer, salvage, motor vehicle title fraud, or the defrauding of a retail consumer in a motor vehicle sale or lease transaction.  See C.R.S. 44-6-118(8) and C.R.S. 44-20-420(18).
• Article 3 of Title 18 includes, but is not limited to crimes against persons such as murder, assault, kidnapping, sexual assault, custody violation, menacing weapon, vehicular homicide, manslaughter, criminal extortion and enticing a child.
• Article 4 of Title 18 includes, but is not limited to crimes against property, arson, theft, burglary, robbery, criminal mischief over $500, criminal trespass in the 1st degree and unlawful transfer for sale (copyright infringement).
• Article 5 of Title 18 includes, but is not limited to fraud, forgery, criminal possession of a forged instrument or forging instrument, criminal impersonation, fraud by check (over $500), commercial bribery, bribery in sports and equity skimming.
• MATERIAL MISSTATEMENT - Any license issued by the Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Revenue through the Auto Industry Division may be denied, suspended, or revoked if a material misstatement is made in an application for a license. A “Material Misstatement” means any false or misleading statement, omission, or misrepresentation regarding personal identification information, employment history, prior occupational licensing history, criminal background and history, including filings, indictments, municipal, misdemeanor, and/or felony convictions and deferred judgments.
   

14. Other Documents

Submit any other documents that the Applicant feels would be useful to the Colorado Motor Vehicle Dealer Board.

15. Distributors Must also Provide the Following

• Submit a copy of the Distributor agreement with the Manufacturer.
• Provide the Name and License Number of the Manufacturer.
   

16. Appointment and/or Termination of Franchised Dealers OR Addition of New Makes

Manufacturers and Distributors must provide immediate notification to the Auto Industry Division of the appointment and/or termination of franchised
dealers as well as the addition of new makes.

17. Additional Requirements

• All documents submitted must be on 8.5” x 11” size paper.
• Do not submit legal size copies.
• Do not submit double sided copies.
• Do not staple documents.

18. Incomplete Applications

• All of the information provided on this web page is to assist you to ensure your application is not missing any required documentation.
• The Auto Industry Division strongly recommends that you use this information to aid you in completing the application.
• Any fields that are not complete may result in your application being rejected and may delay processing.

19. Pay Fee(s)

Check should be made payable to the Department of Revenue. All fees are subject to change July 1st of every year. See button labeled $ Fees.

Manufacturer/Distributor License Application 

Initial Online Application

The Auto Industry Division  is now accepting Manufacturer/ Distributor initial applications online by clicking here.