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 currently issued by the Division of Motor Vehicles of the Colorado Department of Revenue. 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 monochrome 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.Image | Dates issued | Design | Slogan | Serial format | Serials issued | Notes |
1913 | Black serial on white porcelain plate; vertical "COLO" and "1913" at left and right respectively | none | 12345 | 1 to approximately 14500 | ||
1914 | White serial on dark blue porcelain plate; vertical "COLO" and "1914" at left and right respectively | none | 12345 | 1 to approximately 20000 | ||
1915 | Black serial on yellow porcelain plate; vertical "COLO" and "1915" at left and right respectively | none | 12345 | 1 to approximately 29000 | ||
1916 | Embossed white serial on brown plate with border line; vertical "COLO" and "1916" at left and right respectively | none | 12345 | 1 to approximately 47000 | First embossed plate. Serials issued in blocks by county; this practice continued through 1931. | |
1917 | Embossed black serial on pink plate with border line; vertical "COLO" and "1917" at left and right respectively | none | 12345 | 1 to approximately 68000 | ||
1918 | Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; vertical "COLO" and "1918" at left and right respectively | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 102-000 | ||
1919–20 | Welded silver serial on dark brown plate; "COLO." centered at top | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 233-000 | Validated for 1919 with dark brown tabs, and for 1920 with dark blue tabs. | |
1920 | Embossed silver serial on dark brown plate with border line; vertical "COLO" and "1920" at left and right respectively | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 233-000 | Issued only to new registrants. | |
1921 | Embossed silver serial on dark blue plate with border line; "COLO-1921" centered at top | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 177-000 | ||
1922 | Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; stylized vertical "COLO" and "22" at right | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 190-000 | ||
1923 | Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "COLO. 1923" centered at bottom | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 192-000 | ||
1924 | Embossed black serial on beige plate with border line; "COLO. 1924" centered at bottom | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 224-000 | ||
1925 | Embossed white serial on maroon plate with border line; "COLO. 1925" centered at bottom | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 266-000 | ||
1926 | Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; "COLO. 1926" centered at bottom | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 274-000 | ||
1927 | Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "COLO. 1927" centered at bottom | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 308-000 | ||
1928 | Embossed maroon serial on beige plate with border line; "COLO. 1928" centered at bottom | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 314-000 | ||
1929 | Embossed white serial on maroon plate with border line; "COLO. 1929" centered at bottom | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 326-000 | ||
1930 | Embossed orange serial on black plate with border line; "COLORADO-1930" at top | none | 12-34-56 | 1 to approximately 34-40-00 | First use of the full state name. | |
1931 | Embossed black serial on orange plate; "COLORADO-1931" at bottom | none | 123-456 | 1 to approximately 386-000 | ||
1932 | Embossed orange serial on black plate; "COLORADO 1932" at bottom | none | 1-12-345 10-1-234 | County-coded | First use of county codes. | |
1933 | Embossed black serial on orange plate; "COLORADO 1933" at bottom | none | 1-12345 10-1234 | County-coded | ||
1934 | Embossed yellow serial on black plate; "COLORADO 1934" at bottom | none | 1-12345 10-1234 | County-coded | ||
1935 | Embossed black serial on yellow plate with border line; "COLO. 1935" centered at top | none | 1-12345 10-1234 | County-coded | ||
1936 | Embossed white serial on blue plate with border line; "COLO. 1936" centered at top | none | 1-12345 10-1234 | County-coded | ||
1937 | Embossed black serial on silver plate with border line; "COLO. 1937" centered at top | none | 1-12345 10-1234 | County-coded | ||
1938 | Embossed white serial on turquoise plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 38" at top | none | 1-12345 10-1234 | County-coded | ||
1939 | Embossed yellow serial on black plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 39" at top | none | 1-12345 10-12345 | County-coded | ||
1940 | Embossed black serial on yellow plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 40" at top | none | 1-12345 10-12345 | County-coded | ||
1941 | Embossed yellow serial on black plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 41" at top | none | 1-123456 10-12345 | County-coded | ||
1942 | Embossed white serial on maroon plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 42" at top | none | 1-123456 10-12345 | County-coded | ||
Embossed yellow serial on black plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 43" at top | none | 1-123456 10-12345 | County-coded | Revalidated for 1944 with yellow tabs, due to metal conservation for World War II. | ||
1945 | Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 45" at top | none | 1-12345 10-12345 | County-coded | ||
1946 | Embossed yellow serial on black plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 46" at bottom | none | 1-12345 10-12345 | County-coded | ||
1947 | Embossed black serial on yellow plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 47" at bottom | none | 1-123456 10-12345 | County-coded | ||
1948 | Embossed black serial on unpainted aluminum plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 48" at top | none | 1-123456 10-12345 | County-coded | ||
1949 | Embossed yellow serial on black plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 49" at bottom | none | 1-123456 10-12345 | County-coded | ||
1950 | Embossed green serial on white plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 50" at bottom | "COLORFUL" centered at top | 1-123456 10-12345 | County-coded | ||
1951–52 | Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 51" at bottom | "COLORFUL" centered at top | 1-123456 10-12345 | County-coded | Revalidated for 1952 with yellow tabs, due to metal conservation for the Korean War. | |
1953 | Embossed green serial on yellow plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 53" at bottom | "COLORFUL" centered at top | 1-123456 10-12345 | County-coded | ||
1954 | Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 54" at bottom | "COLORFUL" centered at top | 1-1234 A1-1234 1A-1234 10-1234 A10-123 10A-123 | County-coded | ||
1955 | Embossed 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 right | A/1 1234 A/10 1234 | County-coded | ||
1956 | Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 56" at bottom | none | A:1234 | A:1 to Z:9999 | Issued in Denver County. | |
1956 | Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 56" at bottom | none | A/10 1234 | County-coded | Issued in Arapahoe, Jefferson and Adams Counties. | |
1956 | Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 56" at bottom | none | 2:12345 13:1234 | County-coded | Issued in all other counties. | |
1957 | Embossed black serial on orange plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 57" at bottom | none | 123-456 | 1001 to approximately 203-000 | Issued in Denver County. | |
1957 | Embossed black serial on orange plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 57" at bottom | none | A/10 1234 | County-coded | Issued in Arapahoe, Jefferson, Adams, Logan and Morgan Counties. | |
1957 | Embossed black serial on orange plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 57" at bottom | none | 2-12345 14-1234 | County-coded | Issued in all other counties. | |
1958 | Embossed green serial on pale green plate with border line; embossed skier graphic at right; "COLORADO 58" at bottom, offset to right | "Colorful" centered at top | A/B 123 | A/A 1 to approximately N/R 999 | Issued in Denver County. | |
1958 | Embossed green serial on pale green plate with border line; embossed skier graphic at right; "COLORADO 58" at bottom, offset to right | "Colorful" centered at top | 2 123 2/A 123 A/2 123 1/0 123 10/A 123 A/10 123 | County-coded | Issued in all other counties. | |
1959 | Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 59" at bottom | "Colorful" centered at top | AB-1234 | County-coded | Letters I, O and Q not used in serials; this practice continued until the early 1990s. | |
1960–61 | Embossed green serial on white plate with border line; mountain range graphic at top; "19 COLORADO 60" at bottom | none | AB-1234 | County-coded | Revalidated for 1961 with stickers. | |
1962 | Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; mountain range graphic at top; "19 COLORADO 62" at bottom | none | AB-1234 | County-coded | ||
1963 | Embossed green serial on white plate with border line; mountain range graphic at bottom; "19 COLORADO 63" at top | none | AB-1234 | County-coded | ||
1964 | As 1962 base, but with "19 COLORADO 64" at bottom | none | AB-1234 | County-coded | ||
1965 | As 1963 base, but with "19 COLORADO 65" at top | none | AB-1234 | County-coded | ||
1966 | As 1962 base, but with "19 COLORADO 66" at bottom | none | AB-1234 | County-coded | ||
1967 | As 1963 base, but with "19 COLORADO 67" at top | none | AB-1234 | County-coded | ||
1968 | As 1962 base, but with "19 COLORADO 68" at bottom | none | AB-1234 | County-coded | ||
1969 | As 1963 base, but with "19 COLORADO 69" at top | none | AB-1234 | County-coded | ||
1970 | As 1962 base, but with "19 COLORADO 70" at bottom | none | AB-1234 | County-coded | ||
1971 | As 1963 base, but reflective, and with "19 COLORADO 71" at top | none | AB-1234 | County-coded | ||
1972 | Debossed white serial on reflective green plate with border line; mountain range graphic at top; "19 COLORADO 72" at bottom | none | AB-1234 | County-coded | ||
1973 | Embossed green serial on reflective white plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 73" at bottom | "Colorful" centered at top | AB-1234 | County-coded | ||
1974 | Debossed white serial on reflective green plate with border line; mountain range graphic above serial; "19 COLORADO 74" at bottom | "Colorful" centered at top | AB-1234 | County-coded |
1975 to present
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 numbers 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.
County | Numeric code, 1932-58 | Two-letter codes, 1959-81 | Three-letter codes, 1982-99 |
Denver | 1 | AA–CV | AAA–BMJ |
Pueblo | 2 | GP–HD | VEZ–VPA |
Weld | 3 | HY–JM | WAA–WME |
El Paso | 4 | JX–LL, FR–FV | KAA–LGR |
Las Animas | 5 | LM–LN | UAA–UAV |
Larimer | 6 | LU–MK, FX–FY | FHA–FXT |
Boulder | 7 | ML–NF, FH–FP | MAA–MSZ |
Mesa | 8 | NG–NT | UEJ–ULV |
Otero | 9 | PA–PC | UXS–UYW |
Arapahoe | 10 | PH–RP, FA–FG | PAA–RHD |
Jefferson | 11 | RS–TD, HG–HW | GAA–HKU |
Adams | 12 | TE–UF, GA–GG | SAA–SZF |
Logan | 13 | UG–UJ | UCB–UDE |
Fremont | 14 | UP–UT | EPV–ESU |
Morgan | 15 | UW–UY | UVA–UWJ |
Huerfano | 16 | VE | EZF–EZU |
Prowers | 17 | VG–VH | VDN–VEJ |
Delta | 18 | VL–VN | EFH–EGZ |
Yuma | 19 | VS–VT | WTL–WTY |
La Plata | 20 | VV–VY | FDF–FFL |
Montrose | 21 | WB–WD | USM–UUD |
Baca | 22 | WG | EBE–EBK |
Rio Grande | 23 | WJ–WK | VVW–VWS |
Garfield | 24 | WM–WR | ETW–EWB |
Conejos | 25 | WS | EDV–EED |
Kit Carson | 26 | WU–WV | WUZ–WVJ |
Washington | 27 | WW | WST–WTA |
Routt | 28 | WZ–XA | VXA–VXY |
Bent | 29 | XC | EBX–ECF |
Alamosa | 30 | XE–XF | EAA–EAT |
Chaffee | 31 | XH–XJ | FAM–FBN |
Montezuma | 32 | XL–XM | UPY–USE |
Lincoln | 33 | XP | UBL–UBU |
Elbert | 34 | XS | EPB–EPU, DKA–DKC |
Saguache | 35 | XU | VYP–VYX |
Crowley | 36 | XW | EET–EEZ |
Phillips | 37 | XY | VBB–VBG |
Costilla | 38 | YA | EEL–EES |
Sedgwick | 39 | YB | WNL–WNP |
Gunnison | 40 | YD–YE | EYC–EYU |
Lake | 41 | YF–YG | FCD–FCV |
Moffat | 42 | YJ–YK | UNS–UPG |
Teller | 43 | YL | WRN–WSS, VZS–VZV |
Eagle | 44 | YM–YN, ZT | EMB–EPA |
Kiowa | 45 | YP | WUS–WUU |
Cheyenne | 46 | YR | ECM–ECR |
Douglas | 47 | YS–YT, GM | EHW–EMA, FGJ–FGZ, VZZ, WVW–WWF, DAA–DAU |
Archuleta | 48 | YU | FAA–FAK |
Rio Blanco | 49 | YV | VVD–VVP |
San Miguel | 50 | YX | VZF–VZM |
Clear Creek | 51 | YY–YZ | ECU–EDP |
Custer | 52 | ZA | EFB–EFE |
Grand | 53 | ZB–ZC | EWZ–EXU |
Park | 54 | ZD | VAH–VBA, EWW–EWY, EZX–EZZ, VZX–VZY, WWG–WWJ |
San Juan | 55 | ZE | VZB–VZC |
Ouray | 56 | ZF | VAA–VAE |
Pitkin | 57 | ZG, ZP | VBS–VCY |
Dolores | 58 | ZH | EHR–EHT |
Jackson | 59 | ZJ | FGC–FGE |
Gilpin | 60 | ZK | EWN–EWV |
Summit | 61 | ZL, ZR | WNZ–WRJ |
Mineral | 62 | ZM | UNM–UNN |
Hinsdale | 63 | ZN | EZD–EZE |
Non-passenger and optional types, 2000 to present
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.Non-passenger types
2000 to present
The serials on non-passenger types are embossed unless noted.Image | Type | Notes |
Apportioned Permanent Trailer | Red background; stacked "PRM" prefix. | |
Apportioned Tractor | Red background; stacked "ATR" prefix. | |
Apportioned Trailer | Red background; stacked "ATL" prefix. | |
Apportioned Truck | Red background; stacked "ATK" prefix. | |
Colorado State Patrol | Black background; surface-printed serials in a format of CSP 123. | |
Commercial Fleet | Red background; stacked "FLT" prefix. | |
Dealer | Blue background; stacked "DLR" prefix. | |
Dealer—Demo | Blue background; stacked "DMO" prefix. | |
Dealer—In Transit | Blue background; stacked "INT" prefix. | |
Depot | Blue background; stacked "DPT" prefix. | |
Disabled Person | Green background; wheelchair in center; surface-printed serials. | |
Farm Tractor | Green background; stacked "FTR" prefix. | |
Farm Tractor—Personalized | Green background; stacked "FTR" prefix; surface-printed serials. | |
Farm Truck | Green background; stacked "FTK" prefix. | |
Farm Truck—Personalized | Green background; stacked "FTK" prefix; surface-printed serials. | |
Government | Green background; stacked "GVT" prefix. | |
Gross Vehicle Weight Tractor | Red background; stacked "TVW" prefix. | |
Gross Vehicle Weight Truck | Red background; stacked "GVW" prefix. | |
Gross Vehicle Weight Truck—Personalized | Red background; stacked "GVW" prefix; surface-printed serials. | |
Manufacturer | Blue background; stacked "MFG" prefix. | |
Recreational Truck | Green background; stacked "RTK" prefix. | |
Special Mobile Machine | Green background; stacked "SMM" prefix. | |
Special Mobile Machine—Exempt | Green background; stacked "SMX" prefix; motorcycle-sized plate. | |
Trailer | Green background; stacked "TRL" prefix. | |
Transporter | Blue background; stacked "TPR" prefix. | |
Truck | Green background; stacked "TRK" prefix. |
Prior to 2000
Optional types
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.Image | Type | Notes |
10th Mountain Division | ||
"Adopt a Greyhound" | ||
"Advancing Clean Energy"—Motorcycle | ||
"Advancing Clean Energy"—Motorcycle—Personalized | No logo at center. | |
"Advancing Clean Energy"—Passenger | ||
"Advancing Clean Energy"—Passenger—Personalized | No logo at center. | |
Air Force Cross—Motorcycle | ||
Air Force Cross—Passenger | ||
Amateur Radio—Commercial | Stacked "CCL" prefix. Serial is callsign. | |
Amateur Radio—Passenger | Stacked "SCL" prefix. Serial is callsign. | |
American Indian Scholars—Motorcycle | ||
American Indian Scholars—Motorcycle—Personalized | No logo at center. | |
American Indian Scholars—Passenger | ||
American Indian Scholars—Passenger—Personalized | No logo at center. | |
"Broncos Country"—Motorcycle | ||
"Broncos Country"—Motorcycle—Personalized | No logo at center. | |
"Broncos Country"—Passenger | ||
"Broncos Country"—Passenger—Personalized | No logo at center. | |
Bronze Star—Motorcycle | ||
Bronze Star—Passenger | ||
Bronze Star of Valor—Motorcycle | ||
Bronze Star of Valor—Passenger | ||
Collector Truck/Tractor | ||
Collector Truck/Tractor—Personalized | No logo at center. | |
Collector Vehicle | ||
Collector Vehicle—Personalized | No logo at center. | |
Colorado College | ||
Colorado College—Personalized | No logo at center. | |
Colorado School of Mines | ||
Colorado School of Mines—Personalized | No logo at center. | |
Colorado State University | ||
Colorado State University—Personalized | No logo at center. | |
"Committed to a Cure"—Motorcycle | ||
"Committed to a Cure"—Motorcycle—Personalized | No logo at center. | |
"Committed to a Cure"—Passenger | ||
"Committed to a Cure"—Passenger—Personalized | No logo at center. | |
Denver Firefighter | ||
Designer—Passenger | Serial is embossed. | |
Designer—Passenger—Personalized | ||
Designer—Truck | Stacked "TRK" prefix; serial is embossed. | |
Disabled Veteran—Motorcycle | ||
Disabled Veteran—Passenger | ||
Disabled Veteran Handicapped—Motorcycle | ||
Disabled Veteran Handicapped—Passenger | ||
Distinguished Service Cross—Motorcycle | ||
Distinguished Service Cross—Passenger | ||
"Elks Care, Elks Share" | ||
Fallen Airman | ||
Fallen Guardsman | ||
Fallen Marine | ||
Fallen Sailor | ||
Fallen Soldier | ||
Fire Fighter | ||
"Growing Your Future" | ||
"Growing Your Future"—Personalized | No logo at center. | |
Honorably Discharged Veteran | Plate is screen printed. | |
Honorary Consul | ||
Horseless Carriage | ||
Italian American—Motorcycle | ||
Italian American—Motorcycle—Personalized | No logo at center. | |
Italian American—Passenger | ||
Italian American—Passenger—Personalized | No logo at center. | |
Kids1st—Motorcycle | ||
Kids1st—Motorcycle—Personalized | No logo at center. | |
Kids1st—Passenger | ||
Kids1st—Passenger—Personalized | No logo at center. | |
Korean War Veteran | ||
Medal of Honor | ||
Member U.S. Congress | ||
Member U.S. Senate | ||
Mesa State College | ||
Mesa State College—Personalized | No logo at center. | |
Metro State College | ||
Metro State College—Personalized | No logo at center. | |
Motorcycle Collector—Motorcycle | ||
Motorcycle Collector—Motorcycle—Personalized | No logo at center. | |
National Guard | ||
Navy Cross | ||
NORAD | Issued July 1, 2008 through January 1, 2010. | |
Pearl Harbor Survivor | ||
Pioneer | ||
Prisoner of War | ||
Purple Heart | ||
Regis University | ||
Regis University—Personalized | No logo at center. | |
"Respect Life" | ||
Respects Wildlife | ||
Passenger—Personalized | ||
Share the Road—Motorcycle | ||
Share the Road—Motorcycle—Personalized | No logo at center. | |
Share the Road—Passenger | ||
Share the Road—Passenger—Personalized | No logo at center. | |
Silver Star | ||
State Representative | R-000 serial format. | |
State Senator | S-00 serial format. | |
Street Rod | ||
Street Rod—Personalized | ||
Support Education—Motorcycle | ||
Support Education—Motorcycle—Personalized | No logo at center. | |
Support Education—Passenger | ||
Support Education—Passenger—Personalized | No logo at center. | |
Support the Troops—Motorcycle | ||
Support the Troops—Motorcycle—Personalized | No logo at center. | |
Support the Troops—Passenger | ||
Support the Troops—Passenger—Personalized | No logo at center. | |
University of Colorado | ||
University of Colorado—Personalized | No logo at center. | |
University of Denver | ||
University of Denver—Personalized | No logo at center. | |
University of Northern Colorado | ||
University of Northern Colorado—Personalized | No logo at center. | |
U.S. Air Force | Available only to veterans. | |
U.S. Air Force 50th Anniversary | Available to general public. | |
U.S. Air Force Academy | ||
U.S. Air Force Academy—Personalized | 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 State College | ||
Western State College—Personalized | No logo at center. |
Prior to 2000
Renewal date tags
Colorado implemented a monthly staggered registration system in 1978, with separate stickers for the month and year of the expiration date. As of 2019, 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
- 03
- 07
- 11
- 15
- 19
- 04
- 08
- 12
- 16
- 20
- 05
- 09
- 13
- 17
- 21