Selling a dead or junk car in Golden

Golden's definition of junk

Section 5.07.010 fits in one line: "Inoperable vehicle or junk vehicle means any vehicle which is not capable of travel under its own power in its existing mechanical condition, or any vehicle not bearing current registration plates." So a car that drives well but has old plates is caught by the second part.

The 72-hour rule has a few exceptions:

• a vehicle or parts "in a completely enclosed structure"
• a vehicle kept by a lawful business that needs it to run, stored the way the zoning code says
• a vehicle in a city impound lot

A car cover in the carport is not an enclosed structure.

Other people's property and the street

If a car stays on another person's private property for 72 hours or longer without their okay, the city treats it as abandoned. On public property, including streets, the limit is 24 hours, unless the owner has left a dated note on the car or told the police they will move it within 72 hours. The police may also declare any vehicle "inoperable, lost, stolen or unclaimed."

Section 5.09.020 lets police, code enforcement officers and other authorized city staff remove a car they believe is abandoned on public property and put it in a city impound lot. They may also tow from no-parking or tow-away zones and during snow, flood or fire emergencies.

Two parking tickets

Section 10.76.220 adds a trigger many people miss. Police may tow and impound "any motor vehicle issued a parking citation when there are two or more City of Golden parking citations against said motor vehicle which are outstanding, delinquent and unpaid." Getting it back means paying the towing, impound and storage charges plus the tickets, or posting bond.

The $200 line at an impound sale

A car from a public tow is appraised and sold "not less than 30 nor more than 90 days" after the city's notice, under Section 5.09.060. The code says: "If the appraised value of an abandoned motor vehicle sold pursuant to this section is $200.00 or less, the sale shall be made only for the purpose of junking, scrapping or dismantling." That buyer can never get a state title. A car appraised higher may be sold for any use. Selling the car yourself, with its title, keeps that choice out of the city's hands. See towed or impounded.

Jefferson County title and Colorado plates

Golden sits in Jefferson County. A Golden seller handles this at the motor vehicle office for the county they live in. We haven't checked a Jefferson County office address for this page, so check it yourself before heading over.

On the back of your Golden title, sign and print in the Seller box, matching the name on the front letter for letter. Every owner listed signs. Enter the price and the date, plus the mileage when the car is model year 2011 or later and still within 20 years of age. Golden sellers do well to complete a DR 2173 bill of sale.

Keep your plates. Pull them before the car rolls off Washington Street or your block. Golden sellers can drop standard plates at the county office or at a metal recycler. After that, you have 5 days to send "Report Release of Liability" on myDMV.

Getting an offer

For an offer, phone (877) 421-6008 or fill us in online. Reach us by phone or form about your Golden car. Our truck comes to your home or the shop where it quit. Neighbors: Lakewood and Wheat Ridge. For statewide rules see Colorado.