Vehicle registration plates of Colorado


The U.S. state of Colorado first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1913., 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.
The basic design of Colorado's license plate, a range of mountains against a white or green background, has been in use since 1960. 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 at in height by in width, with standardized mounting holes. The 1955 issue was the first Colorado license plate that fully complied with these standards: the 1954 issue was 6 inches in height by 12 inches in width, but had non-standard mounting holes.
ImageDates issuedDesignSloganSerial formatSerials issuedNotes
1913Black serial on white porcelain plate; vertical "COLO" and "1913" at left and right respectivelynone123451 to approximately 14500
1914White serial on dark blue porcelain plate; vertical "COLO" and "1914" at left and right respectivelynone123451 to approximately 20000
1915Black serial on yellow porcelain plate; vertical "COLO" and "1915" at left and right respectivelynone123451 to approximately 29000
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.
1917Embossed black serial on pink plate with border line; vertical "COLO" and "1917" at left and right respectivelynone123451 to approximately 68000
1918Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; vertical "COLO" and "1918" at left and right respectivelynone123-4561 to approximately 102–000

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.
1920Embossed silver serial on dark brown plate with border line; vertical "COLO" and "1920" at left and right respectivelynone123-4561 to approximately 233–000Issued only to new registrants.
1921Embossed silver serial on dark blue plate with border line; "COLO-1921" centered at topnone123-4561 to approximately 177–000
1922Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; stylized vertical "COLO" and "22" at rightnone123-4561 to approximately 190–000
1923Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "COLO. 1923" centered at bottomnone123-4561 to approximately 192–000
1924Embossed black serial on beige plate with border line; "COLO. 1924" centered at bottomnone123-4561 to approximately 224–000
1925Embossed white serial on maroon plate with border line; "COLO. 1925" centered at bottomnone123-4561 to approximately 266–000
1926Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; "COLO. 1926" centered at bottomnone123-4561 to approximately 274–000
1927Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "COLO. 1927" centered at bottomnone123-4561 to approximately 308–000
1928Embossed maroon serial on beige plate with border line; "COLO. 1928" centered at bottomnone123-4561 to approximately 314–000
1929Embossed white serial on maroon plate with border line; "COLO. 1929" centered at bottomnone123-4561 to approximately 326–000
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.
1931Embossed black serial on orange plate; "COLORADO-1931" at bottomnone123-4561 to approximately 386–000
1932Embossed orange serial on black plate; "COLORADO 1932" at bottomnone1-12-345
10-1-234
County-codedFirst use of county codes.
1933Embossed black serial on orange plate; "COLORADO 1933" at bottomnone1-12345
10-1234
County-coded
1934Embossed yellow serial on black plate; "COLORADO 1934" at bottomnone1-12345
10-1234
County-coded
1935Embossed black serial on yellow plate with border line; "COLO. 1935" centered at topnone1-12345
10-1234
County-coded
1936Embossed white serial on blue plate with border line; "COLO. 1936" centered at topnone1-12345
10-1234
County-coded
1937Embossed black serial on silver plate with border line; "COLO. 1937" centered at topnone1-12345
10-1234
County-coded
1938Embossed white serial on turquoise plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 38" at topnone1-12345
10-1234
County-coded
1939Embossed yellow serial on black plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 39" at topnone1-12345
10-12345
County-coded
1940Embossed black serial on yellow plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 40" at topnone1-12345
10-12345
County-coded
1941Embossed yellow serial on black plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 41" at topnone1-123456
10-12345
County-coded
1942Embossed white serial on maroon plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 42" at topnone1-123456
10-12345
County-coded

Embossed 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.
1945Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 45" at topnone1-12345
10-12345
County-coded
1946Embossed yellow serial on black plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 46" at bottomnone1-12345
10-12345
County-coded
1947Embossed black serial on yellow plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 47" at bottomnone1-123456
10-12345
County-coded
1948Embossed black serial on unpainted aluminum plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 48" at topnone1-123456
10-12345
County-coded
1949Embossed yellow serial on black plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 49" at bottomnone1-123456
10-12345
County-coded
1950Embossed green serial on white plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 50" at bottom"COLORFUL" centered at top1-123456
10-12345
County-coded

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.
1953Embossed green serial on yellow plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 53" at bottom"COLORFUL" centered at top1-123456
10-12345
County-coded
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
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
1956Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 56" at bottomnoneA:1234A:1 to
Z:9999
Issued in Denver County.
1956Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 56" at bottomnoneA/10 1234County-codedIssued in Arapahoe, Jefferson and Adams Counties.
1956Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 56" at bottomnone2:12345
13:1234
County-codedIssued in all other counties.
1957Embossed black serial on orange plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 57" at bottomnone123-4561001 to approximately 203–000Issued in Denver County.
1957Embossed black serial on orange plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 57" at bottomnoneA/10 1234County-codedIssued in Arapahoe, Jefferson, Adams, Logan and Morgan Counties.
1957Embossed black serial on orange plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 57" at bottomnone2-12345
14-1234
County-codedIssued in all other counties.
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.
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 top2 123
2/A 123
A/2 123
1/''0 123
10/A 123
A/
10 123
County-codedIssued in all other counties.
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.
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.
1962Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; mountain range graphic at top; "19 COLORADO 62" at bottomnoneAB-1234County-coded
1963Embossed green serial on white plate with border line; mountain range graphic at bottom; "19 COLORADO 63" at topnoneAB-1234County-coded
1964As 1962 base, but with "19 COLORADO 64" at bottomnoneAB-1234County-coded
1965As 1963 base, but with "19 COLORADO 65" at topnoneAB-1234County-coded
1966As 1962 base, but with "19 COLORADO 66" at bottomnoneAB-1234County-coded
1967As 1963 base, but with "19 COLORADO 67" at topnoneAB-1234County-coded
1968As 1962 base, but with "19 COLORADO 68" at bottomnoneAB-1234County-coded
1969As 1963 base, but with "19 COLORADO 69" at topnoneAB-1234County-coded
1970As 1962 base, but with "19 COLORADO 70" at bottomnoneAB-1234County-coded
1971As 1963 base, but reflective, and with "19 COLORADO 71" at topnoneAB-1234County-coded
1972Debossed white serial on reflective green plate with border line; mountain range graphic at top; "19 COLORADO 72" at bottomnoneAB-1234County-coded
1973Embossed green serial on reflective white plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 73" at bottom"Colorful" centered at topAB-1234County-coded
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

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.
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 ; 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, with revised formats featuring three and later four digits between the letters.
The table below reflects the two- and three-letter codes that were actually issued on passenger plates, rather than what was assigned.
CountyNumeric code,
1932–58
Two-letter codes,
1959–81
Three-letter codes,
1982–99
Denver1AA–CVAAA–BMJ
Pueblo2GP–HDVEZ–VPA
Weld3HY–JMWAA–WME
El Paso4JX–LL, FR–FVKAA–LGR
Las Animas5LM–LNUAA–UAV
Larimer6LU–MK, FX–FYFHA–FXT
Boulder7ML–NF, FH–FPMAA–MSZ
Mesa8NG–NTUEJ–ULV
Otero9PA–PCUXS–UYW
Arapahoe10PH–RP, FA–FGPAA–RHD
Jefferson11RS–TD, HG–HWGAA–HKU
Adams12TE–UF, GA–GGSAA–SZF
Logan13UG–UJUCB–UDE
Fremont14UP–UTEPV–ESU
Morgan15UW–UYUVA–UWJ
Huerfano16VEEZF–EZU
Prowers17VG–VHVDN–VEJ
Delta18VL–VNEFH–EGZ
Yuma19VS–VTWTL–WTY
La Plata20VV–VYFDF–FFL
Montrose21WB–WDUSM–UUD
Baca22WGEBE–EBK
Rio Grande23WJ–WKVVW–VWS
Garfield24WM–WRETW–EWB
Conejos25WSEDV–EED
Kit Carson26WU–WVWUZ–WVJ
Washington27WWWST–WTA
Routt28WZ–XAVXA–VXY
Bent29XCEBX–ECF
Alamosa30XE–XFEAA–EAT
Chaffee31XH–XJFAM–FBN
Montezuma32XL–XMUPY–USE
Lincoln33XPUBL–UBU
Elbert34XSEPB–EPU, DKA–DKC
Saguache35XUVYP–VYX
Crowley36XWEET–EEZ
Phillips37XYVBB–VBG
Costilla38YAEEL–EES
Sedgwick39YBWNL–WNP
Gunnison40YD–YEEYC–EYU
Lake41YF–YGFCD–FCV
Moffat42YJ–YKUNS–UPG
Teller43YLWRN–WSS, VZS–VZV
Eagle44YM–YN, ZTEMB–EPA
Kiowa45YPWUS–WUU
Cheyenne46YRECM–ECR
Douglas47YS–YT, GMEHW–EMA, FGJ–FGZ, VZZ, WVW–WWF, DAA–DAU
Archuleta48YUFAA–FAK
Rio Blanco49YVVVD–VVP
San Miguel50YXVZF–VZM
Clear Creek51YY–YZECU–EDP
Custer52ZAEFB–EFE
Grand53ZB–ZCEWZ–EXU
Park54ZDVAH–VBA, EWW–EWY, EZX–EZZ, VZX–VZY, WWG–WWJ
San Juan55ZEVZB–VZC
Ouray56ZFVAA–VAE
Pitkin57ZG, ZPVBS–VCY
Dolores58ZHEHR–EHT
Jackson59ZJFGC–FGE
Gilpin60ZKEWN–EWV
Summit61ZL, ZRWNZ–WRJ
Mineral62ZMUNM–UNN
Hinsdale63ZNEZD–EZE

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 and with similar graphic elements.

2000 to present

The serials on non-passenger types are embossed unless noted.
ImageTypeNotes
Apportioned Permanent TrailerRed background; stacked "PRM" prefix.
Apportioned TractorRed background; stacked "ATR" prefix.
Apportioned TrailerRed background; stacked "ATL" prefix.
Apportioned TruckRed background; stacked "ATK" prefix.
Colorado State PatrolBlack background; surface-printed serials in a format of CSP 123.
Commercial FleetRed background; stacked "FLT" prefix.
DealerBlue background; stacked "DLR" prefix.
Dealer—DemoBlue background; stacked "DMO" prefix.
Dealer—In TransitBlue background; stacked "INT" prefix.
DepotBlue background; stacked "DPT" prefix.
Disabled PersonGreen background; wheelchair in center; surface-printed serials.
Farm TractorGreen background; stacked "FTR" prefix. Personalized variant also issued, with surface-printed serial.
Farm TruckGreen background; stacked "FTK" prefix. Personalized variant also issued, with surface-printed serial.
GovernmentGreen background; stacked "GVT" prefix.
Gross Vehicle Weight TractorRed background; stacked "TVW" prefix.
Gross Vehicle Weight TruckRed background; stacked "GVW" prefix. Personalized variant also issued, with surface-printed serial.
ManufacturerBlue background; stacked "MFG" prefix.
Recreational TruckGreen background; stacked "RTK" prefix.
Special Mobile MachineGreen background; stacked "SMM" prefix.
Special Mobile Machine—ExemptGreen background; stacked "SMX" prefix; motorcycle-sized plate.
TrailerGreen background; stacked "TRL" prefix.
TransporterBlue background; stacked "TPR" prefix.
TruckGreen background; stacked "TRK" prefix.

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
150th Statehood Anniversary Available August 1, 2023 through August 1, 2027. Plate selected by popular vote.
150th Statehood Anniversary Available August 1, 2023 through August 1, 2027. Plate selected by popular vote.
10th Mountain Division
4th Infantry DivisionMotorcycle variant also issued.
"Adopt a Greyhound"
"Adopt a Shelter Pet"Personalized, motorcycle, and personalized motorcycle variants also issued; neither personalized variant has the logo at the center.
"Advancing Clean Energy"Discontinued. See electric vehicle and Go Carbon Neutral plates.
Air Force CrossMotorcycle variant also issued.
ALS
Amateur Radio—CommercialStacked "CCL" prefix. Serial is callsign.
Amateur Radio—PassengerStacked "SCL" prefix. Serial is callsign.
American Indian ScholarsPersonalized, motorcycle, and personalized motorcycle variants also issued; neither personalized variant has the logo at the center.
Aviation
Born To Be WildPersonalized, motorcycle, and personalized motorcycle variants also issued; neither personalized variant has the logo at the center.
Boy Scouts
Broncos CountryPersonalized, motorcycle, and personalized motorcycle variants also issued; neither personalized variant has the logo at the center.
Bronze StarMotorcycle variant also issued.
Bronze Star of ValorMotorcycle variant also issued.
Child Loss AwarenessPersonalized, motorcycle, and personalized motorcycle variants also issued; neither personalized variant has the logo at the center.
Childhood Cancer Awareness
Civil Air Patrol
Collector Truck/TractorPersonalized variant also issued, with no logo at center.
Collector VehiclePersonalized variant also issued, with no logo at center.
Colorado Avalanche Country
Colorado CollegePersonalized variant also issued, with no logo at center.
Colorado Mesa UniversityPersonalized variant also issued, with no logo at center.
Colorado School of MinesPersonalized variant also issued, with no logo at center.
Colorado State UniversityPersonalized variant also issued, with no logo at center.
Colorado Rockies Country
Colorado State University PuebloPersonalized variant also issued, with no logo at center.
"Committed to a Cure"Personalized, motorcycle, and personalized motorcycle variants also issued; neither personalized variant has the logo at the center.
Denver Firefighter
Denver Nuggets Country
DesignerSerial is embossed. Personalized variant also issued.
Designer—TruckStacked "TRK" prefix; serial is embossed.
Disabled VeteranMotorcycle variant also issued.
Disabled Veteran HandicappedMotorcycle variant also issued.
Distinguished Flying CrossMotorcycle variant also issued.
Distinguished Service CrossMotorcycle variant also issued.
Donate Life-
"Elks Care, Elks Share"
Fallen AirmanMotorcycle variant also issued.
Fallen GuardsmanMotorcycle variant also issued.
Fallen MarineMotorcycle variant also issued.
Fallen SailorMotorcycle variant also issued.
Fallen SoldierMotorcycle variant also issued.
FirefighterMotorcycle variant also issued.
Fort Lewis CollegePersonalized variant also issued, with no logo at center.
Go Carbon Neutral
"Growing Your Future"Personalized variant also issued, with no logo at center.
Honorably Discharged VeteranPlate is screen printed. Motorcycle variant also issued.
Honorary Consul
Horseless Carriage
Italian AmericanPersonalized, motorcycle, and personalized motorcycle variants also issued; neither personalized variant has the logo at the center.
Kids1stPersonalized, motorcycle, and personalized motorcycle variants also issued; neither personalized variant has the logo at the center.
Korean War VeteranMotorcycle variant also issued.
Medal of HonorMotorcycle variant also issued.
Member U.S. Congress
Member U.S. Senate
Mesa Verde National Park
Motorcycle CollectorIssued only on motorcycles. Personalized variant also issued, with no logo at center.
MSU DenverPersonalized variant also issued, with no logo at center.
National Guard
Navy Cross
NORADCommemorated NORAD's 50th anniversary. Issued from July 1, 2008, through January 1, 2010.
Pearl Harbor Survivor
Pioneer
Prisoner of War
Purple Heart
Regis UniversityPersonalized variant also issued, with no logo at center.
"Respect Life"Plate was made to recognize the survivors and victims of the Columbine High School massacre.
Respects Wildlife
Passenger—Personalized
Share the RoadPersonalized, motorcycle, and personalized motorcycle variants also issued; neither personalized variant has the logo at the center.
Silver Star
Ski Country U.S.A
Special Olympics
State RepresentativeR-000 serial format.
State SenatorS-00 serial format.
Stegosaurus
Street RodPersonalized variant also issued.
Submarine Service
Support EducationPersonalized, motorcycle, and personalized motorcycle variants also issued; neither personalized variant has the logo at the center.
Support the 10th Mountain Division
Support the Horse
Support the TroopsPersonalized, motorcycle, and personalized motorcycle variants also issued; neither personalized variant has the logo at the center.
University of ColoradoPersonalized variant also issued, with no logo at center.
University of DenverPersonalized variant also issued, with no logo at center.
University of Northern ColoradoPersonalized variant also issued, with no logo at center.
U.S. Air ForceAvailable only to veterans.
U.S. Air Force 50th AnniversaryAvailable to general public.
U.S. Air Force AcademyPersonalized variant also issued, with no logo at center.
U.S. Army
U.S. Army Special Forces
U.S. Coast Guard
U.S. Marine Corps
U.S. Navy
Vietnam Veteran
Western Colorado UniversityPersonalized variant also issued, with no logo at center.
World War II Veteran-

Renewal date tags

Colorado implemented a monthly staggered registration system in 1978, with separate stickers for the month and year of the expiration date., month stickers are blue on white, while year stickers rotate through a four-color system introduced in 2002, as follows: 02 06 10 14 18 22 26 03 07 11 15 19 23 04 08 12 16 20 24 05 09 13 17 21 25