Truckers must purchase certain Colorado permits online instead of at Ports of Entry
Colorado has stopped selling certain commercial vehicle permits at Ports of Entry, meaning that truckers will need to go online to make their purchases.
Effective June 1, 2026, trucking businesses will be required to purchase the following permit types online through the Colorado Department of Transportation’s COOPR permitting system, according to a news release from the Colorado State Patrol (CSP).
- 72-Hour Laden Weight Permit: Any vehicle that weighs over 16,000 pounds when empty is required to be either registered in Colorado or be apportioned for Colorado through the International Registration Plan. Instead of registering in Colorado, you can apply for a 72-Hour Laden Weight Permit. You will need to know your loaded weight in order to apply. You may apply for up to the legal maximum weight of 80,000 pounds.
- Special Fuel Tax Permit: Anyone operating a Commercial Motor Vehicle in Colorado that has three or more axles or that weighs over 26,000 pounds when loaded is required to pay special fuel tax in Colorado. In lieu of purchasing fuel in Colorado, you can apply for a Special Fuel Tax Permit. To apply, you will need to know your entry point into the state, your destination, and the total number of miles you will be traveling in Colorado.
- 60-Day Harvest Permit: If you are not apportioned but are coming into Colorado to do custom harvesting for a local farmer, you can apply for a 60-Day Harvest Permit. This permit allows you to conduct harvesting operations for up to 60 days at a much lower rate than 72-Hour Laden Weight Permits. You can buy only two permits per vehicle in a 12-month period.
- Temporary Household Goods Mover Permit: If you are not based in Colorado but will be moving household goods for a customer in Colorado, you may be required by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission to purchase a Household Goods Mover Permit from the Port of Entry. If the goods are moving from location to location within Colorado, you should apply.
The access the COOPR permitting system, users will need a Colorado Department of Transportation account and a USDOT number.