Vehicle registration plates of Colorado

Current Colorado license plate

The U.S. state of Colorado first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1913.

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 more detailed version of the mountain face replaced the previous monochrome version.

Passenger baseplates

1913 to 1974

In 1956, the U.S. states and Canadian provinces 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.

Image Dates issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
1913 Black numbers on white porcelain plate; vertical "COLO" and "1913" at left and right respectively none 12345 1 to approximately 14500
1914 White numbers on dark blue porcelain plate; vertical "COLO" and "1914" at left and right respectively none 12345 1 to approximately 20000
1915 Black numbers on yellow porcelain plate; vertical "COLO" and "1915" at left and right respectively none 12345 1 to approximately 29000
1916 Embossed white numbers 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 until 1932.[2]
1917 Embossed black numbers on pink plate with border line; vertical "COLO" and "1917" at left and right respectively none 12345 1 to approximately 68000
1918 Embossed white numbers 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 numbers 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 numbers on dark brown plate with border line; vertical "COLO" and "1920" at left and right respectively none Issued only to new registrants.
1921 Embossed silver numbers on dark blue plate with border line; "COLO-1921" centered at top none 123-456 1 to approximately 177-000
1922 Embossed black numbers on white plate with border line; stylized vertical "COLO" and "22" at right none 123-456 1 to approximately 190-000
1923 Embossed white numbers on black plate with border line; "COLO. 1923" centered at bottom none 123-456 1 to approximately 192-000
1924 Embossed black numbers on beige plate with border line; "COLO. 1924" centered at bottom none 123-456 1 to approximately 224-000
1925 Embossed white numbers on maroon plate with border line; "COLO. 1925" centered at bottom none 123-456 1 to approximately 266-000
1926 Embossed white numbers on green plate with border line; "COLO. 1926" centered at bottom none 123-456 1 to approximately 274-000
1927 Embossed white numbers on black plate with border line; "COLO. 1927" centered at bottom none 123-456 1 to approximately 308-000
1928 Embossed maroon numbers on beige plate with border line; "COLO. 1928" centered at bottom none 123-456 1 to approximately 314-000
1929 Embossed white numbers on maroon plate with border line; "COLO. 1929" centered at bottom none 123-456 1 to approximately 326-000
1930 Embossed orange numbers 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 numbers on orange plate; "COLORADO-1931" at bottom none 123-456 1 to approximately 386-000
1932 Embossed orange numbers on black plate; "COLORADO 1932" at bottom none 1-12-345
10-1-234		 County-coded First use of county codes.
1933 Embossed black numbers on orange plate; "COLORADO 1933" at bottom none 1-12345
10-1234		 County-coded
1934 Embossed yellow numbers on black plate; "COLORADO 1934" at bottom none 1-12345
10-1234		 County-coded
1935 Embossed black numbers on yellow plate with border line; "COLO. 1935" centered at top none 1-12345
10-1234		 County-coded
1936 Embossed white numbers on blue plate with border line; "COLO. 1936" centered at top none 1-12345
10-1234		 County-coded
1937 Embossed black numbers on silver plate with border line; "COLO. 1937" centered at top none 1-12345
10-1234		 County-coded
1938 Embossed white numbers on turquoise plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 38" at top none 1-12345
10-1234		 County-coded
1939 Embossed yellow numbers on black plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 39" at top none 1-12345
10-12345		 County-coded
1940 Embossed black numbers on yellow plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 40" at top none 1-12345
10-12345		 County-coded
1941 Embossed yellow numbers on black plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 41" at top none 1-123456
10-12345		 County-coded
1942 Embossed white numbers on maroon plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 42" at top none 1-123456
10-12345		 County-coded
1943–44 Embossed yellow numbers 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 numbers on black plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 45" at top none 1-12345
10-12345		 County-coded
1946 Embossed yellow numbers on black plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 46" at bottom none 1-12345
10-12345		 County-coded
1947 Embossed black numbers on yellow plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 47" at bottom none 1-123456
10-12345		 County-coded
1948 Embossed black numbers on unpainted aluminum plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 48" at top none 1-123456
10-12345		 County-coded
1949 Embossed yellow numbers on black plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 49" at bottom none 1-123456
10-12345		 County-coded
1950 Embossed green numbers 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 numbers 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 numbers on yellow plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 53" at bottom "COLORFUL" centered at top 1-123456
10-12345		 County-coded
1954 Embossed white numbers 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 numbers 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 numbers on black plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 56" at bottom none A:1234 A:1 to
Z:9999		 Issued in Denver County.
A/10 1234 County-coded Issued in Arapahoe, Jefferson and Adams Counties.
2:12345
13:1234		 Issued in all other counties.
1957 Embossed black numbers on orange plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 57" at bottom none 123-456 1001 to approximately 203-000 Issued in Denver County.
A/10 1234 County-coded Issued in Arapahoe, Jefferson, Adams, Logan and Morgan Counties.
2-12345
14-1234		 Issued in all other counties.
1958 Embossed green numbers 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.
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 numbers on green plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 59" at bottom "Colorful" centered at top AB-1234 County-coded
1960–61 Embossed green numbers 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 numbers on green plate with border line; mountain range graphic at top; "19 COLORADO 62" at bottom none AB-1234 County-coded
1963 Embossed green numbers 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 numbers 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 numbers on reflective white plate with border line; "19 COLORADO 73" at bottom "Colorful" centered at top AB-1234 County-coded
1974 Debossed white numbers on reflective green plate with border line; mountain range graphic above numbers; "19 COLORADO 74" at bottom "Colorful" centered at top AB-1234 County-coded

1975 to present

Image Dates issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
1975–76 Embossed red on reflective white and blue graphic Centennial AB-1234 County-coded Commemorated 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.
1976 Embossed red on reflective white Centennial Issued at end of Centennial graphic supply
1977–81 Embossed white on reflective green; mountains at top none AB-1234 County-coded
1982–92 ABC-123
1993 – December 1999 ABC1234
January 2000 – mid
2015		 Embossed dark green on reflective graphic plate with white and grey mountains against dark green background none 123-ABC 001-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).
mid
2015 – present		 ABC-123 Unused 1982–93 serials Serials issued in random order. ABC-D12 serial format used on specialty plates from mid-2018.

County coding

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 (123-ABC) and with similar graphic elements.

Non-passenger types

2000 to present

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

ImageTypeNotes
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

ImageTypeDesignSerial formatNotes
Disabled Person Reflective white on green. 12345
Fleet Reflective gold on blue. 1234IA5

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.

ImageTypeNotes
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.[3]
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

ImageTypeSerial formatNotes
10th Mountain Division 12345E
Collector Truck/Tractor 12Z34
Collector Vehicle 12N34
12R34
Denim Coded by county of issuance:
A1B1234		 Successor to Designer base; issued from July 1992 to December 1999. Still currently revalidated.
Designer Coded by county of issuance:
A1B-123		 Issued from January 1989 to June 1992. Still currently revalidated.
Firefighter 12345F
Honorably Discharged Veteran 12345B
Pioneers 12345D
Purple Heart 012345
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 2018, month stickers are blue on white, while year stickers rotate through a four-color system introduced in 2002, as follows:

References

  1. ↑ Garrish, Christopher (October 2016). "Reconsidering the Standard Plate Size". Plates. Vol. 62 no. 5. Automobile License Plate Collectors Association.
  2. ↑ "Colorado License Plates". allaboutlicenseplates.com. Retrieved August 23, 2017.
  3. ↑
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