Vehicle registration plates of Colorado

Last updated
Colorado
ADLD-21 Colorado License Plate.jpg
Current series
Size12 in × 6 in
30 cm × 15 cm
MaterialAluminum
Serial formatABC-D12
IntroducedJanuary 2000 (2000-01)
Availability
Issued by Colorado Department of Revenue, Division of Motor Vehicles
History
First issuedJuly 15, 1913 (1913-07-15)

The U.S. state of Colorado first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1913. As of 2024, plates are issued by the Colorado Department of Revenue through its Division of Motor Vehicles. Front and rear plates are required for most classes of vehicles, while only rear plates are required for motorcycles and trailers.

Contents

The basic design of Colorado's license plate, a range of mountains against a white or green background, has been in use since 1960 (except for 1973 and 1975–76). In 2000, a screened, more detailed version of the mountain range replaced the previous dark green version.

Passenger baseplates

1913 to 1974

In 1956, the United States, Canada, and Mexico came to an agreement with the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, the Automobile Manufacturers Association and the National Safety Council that standardized the size for license plates for vehicles (except those for motorcycles) at 6 inches (15 cm) in height by 12 inches (30 cm) in width, with standardized mounting holes. [1] The 1955 (dated 1956) issue was the first Colorado license plate that fully complied with these standards: the 1954 (dated 1955) issue was 6 inches in height by 12 inches in width, but had non-standard mounting holes.

ImageDates issuedDesignSloganSerial formatSerials issuedNotes
Colorado 1913 license plate - Number 2580.jpg 1913Black serial on white porcelain plate; vertical "COLO" and "1913" at left and right respectivelynone123451 to approximately 14500
Colorado 1914 license plate - Number 501.jpg 1914White serial on dark blue porcelain plate; vertical "COLO" and "1914" at left and right respectivelynone123451 to approximately 20000
Colorado 1915 license plate - Number 981.jpg 1915Black serial on yellow porcelain plate; vertical "COLO" and "1915" at left and right respectivelynone123451 to approximately 29000
Blank License Plate Shape.svg 1916Embossed white serial on brown plate with border line; vertical "COLO" and "1916" at left and right respectivelynone123451 to approximately 47000First embossed plate. Serials issued in blocks by county; this practice continued through 1931. [2]
1917 Colorado license plate.jpg 1917Embossed black serial on pink plate with border line; vertical "COLO" and "1917" at left and right respectivelynone123451 to approximately 68000
1918 Colorado license plate.jpg 1918Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; vertical "COLO" and "1918" at left and right respectivelynone123-4561 to approximately 102-000
Colorado 1919 license plate - Number 129-600.jpg
Colorado 1920 license plate - Number 54-219.png
1919–20Welded silver serial on dark brown plate; "COLO." centered at topnone123-4561 to approximately 233-000Validated for 1919 with dark brown tabs, and for 1920 with dark blue tabs.
Colorado 1920 license plate - Number 20-647.png 1920Embossed silver serial on dark brown plate with border line; vertical "COLO" and "1920" at left and right respectivelynoneIssued only to new registrants.
1921 Colorado license plate.jpg 1921Embossed silver serial on dark blue plate with border line; "COLO-1921" centered at topnone123-4561 to approximately 177-000
1922 Colorado license plate.jpg 1922Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; stylized vertical "COLO" and "22" at rightnone123-4561 to approximately 190-000
Colorado 1923 license plate - Number 68-403.jpg 1923Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "COLO. 1923" centered at bottomnone123-4561 to approximately 192-000
1924 Colorado license plate.jpg 1924Embossed black serial on beige plate with border line; "COLO. 1924" centered at bottomnone123-4561 to approximately 224-000
1925 Colorado license plate.jpg 1925Embossed white serial on maroon plate with border line; "COLO. 1925" centered at bottomnone123-4561 to approximately 266-000
1926 Colorado license plate.jpg 1926Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; "COLO. 1926" centered at bottomnone123-4561 to approximately 274-000
1927 Colorado license plate.jpg 1927Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "COLO. 1927" centered at bottomnone123-4561 to approximately 308-000
Colorado 1928 license plate - Number G-1-720.jpg 1928Embossed maroon serial on beige plate with border line; "COLO. 1928" centered at bottomnone123-4561 to approximately 314-000
Colorado 1929 license plate - Number 196-190.jpg 1929Embossed white serial on maroon plate with border line; "COLO. 1929" centered at bottomnone123-4561 to approximately 326-000
Colorado 1930 license plate - Number 21-13-90.jpg 1930Embossed orange serial on black plate with border line; "COLORADO-1930" at topnone12-34-561 to approximately 34-40-00First use of the full state name.
1931 Colorado license plate.JPG 1931Embossed black serial on orange plate; "COLORADO-1931" at bottomnone123-4561 to approximately 386-000
Colorado license plate 1932 graphic.png 1932Embossed orange serial on black plate; "COLORADO 1932" at bottomnone1-12-345
10-1-234
County-codedFirst use of county codes.
1933 Colorado license plate.jpg 1933Embossed black serial on orange plate; "COLORADO 1933" at bottomnone1-12345
10-1234
County-coded
Colorado license plate 1934 graphic.png 1934Embossed yellow serial on black plate; "COLORADO 1934" at bottomnone1-12345
10-1234
County-coded
1935 Colorado license plate.JPG 1935Embossed black serial on yellow plate with border line; "COLO. 1935" centered at topnone1-12345
10-1234
County-coded
1936 Colorado license plate.JPG 1936Embossed white serial on blue plate with border line; "COLO. 1936" centered at topnone1-12345
10-1234
County-coded
1937 Colorado license plate.JPG 1937Embossed black serial on silver plate with border line; "COLO. 1937" centered at topnone1-12345
10-1234
County-coded
1938 Colorado license plate.JPG 1938Embossed white serial on turquoise plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 38" at topnone1-12345
10-1234
County-coded
Colorado license plate 1939 graphic.png 1939Embossed yellow serial on black plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 39" at topnone1-12345
10-12345
County-coded
Colorado license plate 1940 graphic.png 1940Embossed black serial on yellow plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 40" at topnone1-12345
10-12345
County-coded
Colorado license plate 1941 graphic.png 1941Embossed yellow serial on black plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 41" at topnone1-123456
10-12345
County-coded
1942 Colorado license plate.jpg 1942Embossed white serial on maroon plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 42" at topnone1-123456
10-12345
County-coded
Colorado license plate 1943 graphic.png
Colorado license plate 1944 graphic.png
1943–44Embossed yellow serial on black plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 43" at topnone1-123456
10-12345
County-codedRevalidated for 1944 with yellow tabs, due to metal conservation for World War II.
1945 Colorado license plate.jpg 1945Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 45" at topnone1-12345
10-12345
County-coded
1946 Colorado license plate.JPG 1946Embossed yellow serial on black plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 46" at bottomnone1-12345
10-12345
County-coded
1947 Colorado license plate.jpg 1947Embossed black serial on yellow plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 47" at bottomnone1-123456
10-12345
County-coded
1948 Colorado license plate.jpg 1948Embossed black serial on unpainted aluminum plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 48" at topnone1-123456
10-12345
County-coded
1949 Colorado license plate.JPG 1949Embossed yellow serial on black plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 49" at bottomnone1-123456
10-12345
County-coded
Colorado license plate 1950 graphic.png 1950Embossed green serial on white plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 50" at bottom"COLORFUL" centered at top1-123456
10-12345
County-coded
1951 Colorado license plate.JPG
Colorado 1952 license plate - Number 7-4796.png
1951–52Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 51" at bottom"COLORFUL" centered at top1-123456
10-12345
County-codedRevalidated for 1952 with yellow tabs, due to metal conservation for the Korean War.
1953 Colorado Vehicle License Plate.jpg 1953Embossed green serial on yellow plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 53" at bottom"COLORFUL" centered at top1-123456
10-12345
County-coded
1954 Colorado license plate.jpg 1954Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 54" at bottom"COLORFUL" centered at top1-1234
A1-1234
1A-1234
10-1234
A10-123
10A-123
County-coded
1955 Colorado license plate.JPG 1955Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; "COLORADO" at bottom, slightly offset to right; "55" at top right"Colorful" at top, slightly offset to rightA/1 1234
A/10 1234
County-coded
1956 Colorado license plate type 1.jpg 1956Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 56" at bottomnoneA:1234A:1 to
Z:9999
Issued in Denver County.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg A/10 1234County-codedIssued in Arapahoe, Jefferson and Adams Counties.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg 2:12345
13:1234
Issued in all other counties.
1957 Colorado license plate type 1.jpg 1957Embossed black serial on orange plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 57" at bottomnone123-4561001 to approximately 203-000Issued in Denver County.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg A/10 1234County-codedIssued in Arapahoe, Jefferson, Adams, Logan and Morgan Counties.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg 2-12345
14-1234
Issued in all other counties.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg 1958Embossed green serial on pale green plate with border line; embossed skier graphic at right; "COLORADO 58" at bottom, offset to right"Colorful" centered at topA/B 123A/A 1 to approximately N/R 999Issued in Denver County.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg 2 123
2/A 123
A/2 123
1/0 123
10/A 123
A/10 123
County-codedIssued in all other counties.
1959 Colorado license plate.jpg 1959Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 59" at bottom"Colorful" centered at topAB-1234County-codedLetters I, O and Q not used in serials; this practice continued until the early 1990s. [2]
1960 Colorado license plate.JPG 1960–61Embossed green serial on white plate with border line; mountain range graphic at top; "19 COLORADO 60" at bottomnoneAB-1234County-codedRevalidated for 1961 with stickers.
Colorado license plate 1962 graphic.png 1962Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; mountain range graphic at top; "19 COLORADO 62" at bottomnoneAB-1234County-coded
1963 Colorado license plate.jpg 1963Embossed green serial on white plate with border line; mountain range graphic at bottom; "19 COLORADO 63" at topnoneAB-1234County-coded
Colorado license plate 1964 graphic.png 1964As 1962 base, but with "19 COLORADO 64" at bottomnoneAB-1234County-coded
Colorado license plate 1965 graphic.png 1965As 1963 base, but with "19 COLORADO 65" at topnoneAB-1234County-coded
1966 Colorado license plate RZ-8130.jpg 1966As 1962 base, but with "19 COLORADO 66" at bottomnoneAB-1234County-coded
1967 Colorado license plate.jpg 1967As 1963 base, but with "19 COLORADO 67" at topnoneAB-1234County-coded
Colorado license plate 1968 graphic.png 1968As 1962 base, but with "19 COLORADO 68" at bottomnoneAB-1234County-coded
1969 Colorado license plate.JPG 1969As 1963 base, but with "19 COLORADO 69" at topnoneAB-1234County-coded
Colorado license plate 1970 graphic.png 1970As 1962 base, but with "19 COLORADO 70" at bottomnoneAB-1234County-coded
1971 Colorado license plate LY-3018.jpg 1971As 1963 base, but reflective, and with "19 COLORADO 71" at topnoneAB-1234County-coded
Colorado license plate 1972 graphic.png 1972Debossed white serial on reflective green plate with border line; mountain range graphic at top; "19 COLORADO 72" at bottomnoneAB-1234County-coded
Colorado 1973 license plate - Number TJ-8683.png 1973Embossed green serial on reflective white plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 73" at bottom"Colorful" centered at topAB-1234County-coded
Colorado 1974 license plate - Number UP-1705.png 1974Debossed white serial on reflective green plate with border line; mountain range graphic above serial; "19 COLORADO 74" at bottom"Colorful" centered at topAB-1234County-coded

1975 to present

ImageDates issuedDesignSloganSerial formatSerials issuedNotes
1976 Colorado license plate TR 1470.jpg 1975–76Embossed red on reflective white and blue graphicCentennialAB-1234County-codedCommemorated Colorado's 100 years of statehood. Awarded "Plate of the Year" for best new license plate of 1975 by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, the first and, to date, only time Colorado has been so honored.
Colorado license plate 1976 graphic.png 1976Embossed red on reflective whiteCentennialIssued at end of Centennial graphic supply.
1977 Colorado license plate LU-8024.jpg 1977–81Embossed white on reflective green; mountains at topnoneAB-1234County-codedLetters I and O added to serials following the introduction of the ABC1234 format. With the addition of the letter O, the die for the digit '0' was changed for better differentiation. [2]
Colorado license plate, 1982-1992.png 1982 – June
1992
ABC-123
Blank License Plate Shape.svg July 1992 – December 1999ABC1234
Blank License Plate Shape.svg January 2000 
mid
2015
Embossed dark green on reflective graphic plate with white and grey mountains against dark green backgroundnone123-ABC001-AAA to 999-ZZZ (see right)Letter Q not used in serials until early 2013, when all serials containing at least one of this letter were issued in alphabetical order following 999-ZZZ (beginning with 001-AAQ and ending with 999-ZZQ).
Blank License Plate Shape.svg mid
2015 
mid
2018
ABC-123Unused 1982–92 serials'Q' series issued first (QAA-001 through QZZ-999); subsequent issues in random order, including other series containing I, O and Q.
ADLD-21 Colorado License Plate.jpg mid
2018 – present
ABC-D12AAA-A00 to EER-A44 (as of March 11, 2024) [3] Manufactured, but not issued, alphabetically. The most progressive numbers are often found on low-volume special plates, as they are typically issued after being manufactured rather than kept in stock.

County coding

Colorado introduced numeric county codes on its passenger and motorcycle license plates in 1932, with the order of the codes based on the populations of each of the state's 63 counties at the time. These codes were used through 1958 (except in Denver, which last used code 1 in 1955).

Two-letter codes replaced the numeric codes in 1959, with blocks assigned to each county in the same order. For each code, serials ran to 9999 on passenger plates, and to 999 on motorcycle plates. The move to multi-year plates in the mid-1970s resulted in several counties exhausting their blocks and being assigned new ones.

In 1982, three-letter codes were introduced on passenger plates. AAA through DZZ were assigned to Denver, and GAA through TZZ to the next five most populous counties (Jefferson, El Paso, Boulder, Arapahoe and Adams); blocks of codes in the 'E', 'F', 'U', 'V' and 'W' series were then assigned to the remaining counties in roughly alphabetical order. For each code, serials ran from 001 to 999. Again, several counties exhausted their blocks and were assigned new ones, with Douglas and Elbert borrowing blocks of 'D' series codes from Denver's assignment. From July 1992, serials for each code ran from 1000 to 9999, and the previously unused letters I and O were added. Motorcycle plates continued to use two-letter codes (some of which were reassigned to other counties), with revised formats featuring three and later four digits between the letters (e.g. A123A and A1234A in Denver).

The table below reflects the two- and three-letter codes that were actually issued on passenger plates, rather than what was assigned.

Non-passenger plates

When the current passenger baseplate was introduced in 2000, the state also simplified its non-passenger and specialty plates, issuing them in the same serial format (originally 123-ABC) and with similar graphic elements.

2000 to present

The serials on non-passenger types are embossed unless noted.

ImageTypeNotes
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Apportioned Permanent Trailer Red background; stacked "PRM" prefix.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Apportioned Tractor Red background; stacked "ATR" prefix.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Apportioned TrailerRed background; stacked "ATL" prefix.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Apportioned Truck Red background; stacked "ATK" prefix.
Colorado 1997 State Patrol license plate.jpg Colorado State Patrol Black background; surface-printed serials in a format of CSP 123.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Commercial Fleet Red background; stacked "FLT" prefix.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Dealer Blue background; stacked "DLR" prefix.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Dealer Demo Blue background; stacked "DMO" prefix.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg DealerIn TransitBlue background; stacked "INT" prefix.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg DepotBlue background; stacked "DPT" prefix.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Disabled Person Green background; wheelchair in center; surface-printed serials.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Farm TractorGreen background; stacked "FTR" prefix. Personalized variant also issued, with surface-printed serial.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Farm TruckGreen background; stacked "FTK" prefix. Personalized variant also issued, with surface-printed serial.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Government Green background; stacked "GVT" prefix.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Gross Vehicle Weight TractorRed background; stacked "TVW" prefix.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Gross Vehicle Weight TruckRed background; stacked "GVW" prefix. Personalized variant also issued, with surface-printed serial.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Manufacturer Blue background; stacked "MFG" prefix.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Recreational Truck Green background; stacked "RTK" prefix.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Special Mobile MachineGreen background; stacked "SMM" prefix.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Special Mobile MachineExemptGreen background; stacked "SMX" prefix; motorcycle-sized plate.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Trailer Green background; stacked "TRL" prefix.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Transporter Blue background; stacked "TPR" prefix.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg TruckGreen background; stacked "TRK" prefix.

Prior to 2000

ImageTypeDesignSerial formatNotes
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Disabled PersonReflective white on green.12345
Blank License Plate Shape.svg FleetReflective gold on blue.1234IA5

Specialty plates

2000 to present

Specialty types have surface-printed serials. Some types are available in personalized format, in which case the type logo, which normally appears at the center of the plate between the numbers and the letters of the serial, is absent.

ImageTypeNotes
Blank License Plate Shape.svg 10th Mountain Division
Blank License Plate Shape.svg 4th Infantry Division Motorcycle variant also issued.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg "Adopt a Greyhound"
Blank License Plate Shape.svg "Adopt a Shelter Pet"Personalized, motorcycle, and personalized motorcycle variants also issued; neither personalized variant has the logo at the center.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg "Advancing Clean Energy"Personalized, motorcycle, and personalized motorcycle variants also issued; neither personalized variant has the logo at the center.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Air Force Cross Motorcycle variant also issued.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Amateur Radio CommercialStacked "CCL" prefix. Serial is callsign.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Amateur RadioPassengerStacked "SCL" prefix. Serial is callsign.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg American Indian ScholarsPersonalized, motorcycle, and personalized motorcycle variants also issued; neither personalized variant has the logo at the center.
Colorado Born To Be Wild Plate 300.png
'Born To Be Wild'Personalized, motorcycle, and personalized motorcycle variants also issued; neither personalized variant has the logo at the center.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg "Broncos Country"Personalized, motorcycle, and personalized motorcycle variants also issued; neither personalized variant has the logo at the center.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Bronze Star Motorcycle variant also issued.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Bronze Star of ValorMotorcycle variant also issued.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Child Loss AwarenessPersonalized, motorcycle, and personalized motorcycle variants also issued; neither personalized variant has the logo at the center.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Civil Air Patrol
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Collector Truck/TractorPersonalized variant also issued, with no logo at center.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Collector Vehicle Personalized variant also issued, with no logo at center.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Colorado College Personalized variant also issued, with no logo at center.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Colorado Mesa University Personalized variant also issued, with no logo at center.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Colorado School of Mines Personalized variant also issued, with no logo at center.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Colorado State University Personalized variant also issued, with no logo at center.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Colorado State University Pueblo Personalized variant also issued, with no logo at center.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg "Committed to a Cure"Personalized, motorcycle, and personalized motorcycle variants also issued; neither personalized variant has the logo at the center.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Denver Firefighter
Colorado Designer Plate Car.png DesignerSerial is embossed. Personalized variant also issued.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg DesignerTruckStacked "TRK" prefix; serial is embossed.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Disabled VeteranMotorcycle variant also issued.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Disabled Veteran HandicappedMotorcycle variant also issued.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Distinguished Flying Cross Motorcycle variant also issued.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Distinguished Service Cross Motorcycle variant also issued.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg "Elks Care, Elks Share"
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Fallen AirmanMotorcycle variant also issued.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Fallen GuardsmanMotorcycle variant also issued.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Fallen MarineMotorcycle variant also issued.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Fallen SailorMotorcycle variant also issued.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Fallen SoldierMotorcycle variant also issued.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg FirefighterMotorcycle variant also issued.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Fort Lewis College Personalized variant also issued, with no logo at center.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg "Growing Your Future"Personalized variant also issued, with no logo at center.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Honorably Discharged VeteranPlate is screen printed. Motorcycle variant also issued.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Honorary Consul
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Horseless Carriage
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Italian American Personalized, motorcycle, and personalized motorcycle variants also issued; neither personalized variant has the logo at the center.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Kids1stPersonalized, motorcycle, and personalized motorcycle variants also issued; neither personalized variant has the logo at the center.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Korean War VeteranMotorcycle variant also issued.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Medal of Honor Motorcycle variant also issued.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Member U.S. Congress
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Member U.S. Senate
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Motorcycle CollectorIssued only on motorcycles. Personalized variant also issued, with no logo at center.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg MSU Denver Personalized variant also issued, with no logo at center.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg National Guard
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Navy Cross
Blank License Plate Shape.svg NORAD Commemorated NORAD's 50th anniversary. Issued from July 1, 2008 through January 1, 2010. [4]
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Pearl Harbor Survivor
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Pioneer
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Prisoner of War
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Purple Heart
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Regis University Personalized variant also issued, with no logo at center.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg "Respect Life"Plate was made to recognize the survivors and victims of the Columbine High School massacre.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Respects Wildlife
Blank License Plate Shape.svg PassengerPersonalized
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Share the Road Personalized, motorcycle, and personalized motorcycle variants also issued; neither personalized variant has the logo at the center.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Silver Star
Ski Country U.S.A.jpg Ski Country U.S.A
Blank License Plate Shape.svg State Representative R-000 serial format.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg State Senator S-00 serial format.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Street Rod Personalized variant also issued.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Submarine Service
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Support Education Personalized, motorcycle, and personalized motorcycle variants also issued; neither personalized variant has the logo at the center.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Support the 10th Mountain Division
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Support the TroopsPersonalized, motorcycle, and personalized motorcycle variants also issued; neither personalized variant has the logo at the center.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg University of Colorado Personalized variant also issued, with no logo at center.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg University of Denver Personalized variant also issued, with no logo at center.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg University of Northern Colorado Personalized variant also issued, with no logo at center.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg U.S. Air Force Available only to veterans.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg U.S. Air Force 50th AnniversaryAvailable to general public.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg U.S. Air Force Academy Personalized variant also issued, with no logo at center.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg U.S. Army
Blank License Plate Shape.svg U.S. Army Special Forces
Blank License Plate Shape.svg U.S. Coast Guard
Blank License Plate Shape.svg U.S. Marine Corps
Blank License Plate Shape.svg U.S. Navy
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Vietnam Veteran
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Western Colorado University Personalized variant also issued, with no logo at center.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg World War II Veteran

Prior to 2000

ImageTypeSerial formatNotes
Blank License Plate Shape.svg 10th Mountain Division 12345E
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Collector Truck/Tractor12Z34
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Collector Vehicle 12N34
12R34
1992 Colorado license plate A1F4591 denim designer.jpg DenimCoded by county of issuance:
A1B1234
Successor to Designer base; issued from July 1992 to December 1999. Still currently revalidated.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg DesignerCoded by county of issuance:
A1B-123
Issued from January 1989 to June 1992. Still currently revalidated.
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Firefighter12345F
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Honorably Discharged Veteran12345B
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Pioneers12345D
Blank License Plate Shape.svg Purple Heart 012345
Blank License Plate Shape.svg United States Air Force 12345C

Renewal date tags

Colorado implemented a monthly staggered registration system in 1978, with separate stickers for the month and year of the expiration date (placed at the bottom left and bottom right of the plate respectively). As of 2024, month stickers are blue on white, while year stickers rotate through a four-color system introduced in 2002, as follows:

See also

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In the United States, the appearance of license plates is frequently chosen to contain symbols, colors, or slogans associated with the issuing jurisdiction, which are the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, the five inhabited U.S. territories, and Native American tribes, each of which independently registers motor vehicles. Regular-issue license plates for passenger vehicles typically have six or seven characters, with vanity plates having up to eight characters in a few states.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vehicle registration plates of Nebraska</span> Nebraska vehicle license plates

The U.S. state of Nebraska first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1905. Registrants provided their own license plates for display until 1915, when the state began to issue plates.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vehicle registration plates of New York</span> New York vehicle license plates

The U.S. state of New York was the first to require its residents to register their motor vehicles, in 1901. Registrants provided their own license plates for display, featuring their initials until 1903 and numbers thereafter, until the state began to issue plates in 1910.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vehicle registration plates of New Jersey</span> New Jersey vehicle license plates

The U.S. state of New Jersey first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1903. Registrants provided their own license plates for display until 1908, when the state began to issue plates.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vehicle registration plates of Maine</span> Maine vehicle license plates

The U.S. state of Maine first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1905. As of 2022, plates are issued by the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles, within the office of the Department of the Secretary of State. Front and rear plates are required for most classes of vehicles, while only rear plates are required for motorcycles and trailers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vehicle registration plates of Massachusetts</span> Massachusetts vehicle license plates

Massachusetts was the first U.S. state to issue license plates. Plates are currently issued by the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vehicle registration plates of Missouri</span> Missouri vehicle license plates

The U.S. state of Missouri first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1907. Registrants provided their own license plates for display until 1911, when the state began to issue plates.

The U.S. state of New Mexico first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1912. As of 2023, plates are issued by the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department through its Motor Vehicle Division. Only rear plates have been required since 1961.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vehicle registration plates of Arizona</span> Arizona vehicle license plates

The U.S. state of Arizona first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1912. Registrants provided their own license plates for display until 1914, when the state began to issue plates.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vehicle registration plates of Alabama</span> Alabama vehicle license plates

The U.S. state of Alabama first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1911.

The U.S. state of Ohio first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1908, although several cities within the state issued their own license plates from as early as 1902.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vehicle registration plates of Connecticut</span> Connecticut vehicle license plates

The U.S. state of Connecticut first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1903. Registrants provided their own license plates for display until 1905, when the state began to issue plates. Since then, Connecticut has used a variety of license plate designs, and has issued different designs for passenger, non-passenger, and, more recently, optional plate types that often require an additional fee. As of 2024, plates are issued by the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles.

References

  1. Garrish, Christopher (October 2016). "Reconsidering the Standard Plate Size". Plates. Vol. 62, no. 5. Automobile License Plate Collectors Association.
  2. 1 2 3 Tanner, Eric N. "Colorado Passenger License Plates". allaboutlicenseplates.com. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  3. "Colorado License Plates". www.licenseplates.cc. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  4. "Military Plates". Colorado Department of Revenue. Archived from the original on March 6, 2010. Retrieved November 24, 2008.