What Colorado License Plate Types Are Available
Colorado offers three main categories of license plates: standard plates (the default option), specialty plates (which support specific causes or organizations), and personalized plates (where you choose the characters). You do not have to pick one—most drivers get a standard plate when they register, but you can switch to a specialty or personalized plate at any point, and you can change back later if you want.
The standard plate is what you receive automatically when you register a vehicle in Colorado. It displays the state name, a three-digit county code, and a combination of letters and numbers assigned by the state. Specialty plates cost more than standard plates but direct a portion of the fee to a designated cause—wildlife conservation, veterans' support, or a university, for example. Personalized plates let you replace the letter-number combination with a custom message of your choice, within character limits and content rules.
Each type has different costs, renewal timelines, and rules about what you can display. The choice affects your registration fee and how often you need to renew, so understanding the differences matters before you decide.
Key Takeaways
- Standard Colorado plates are included in your base registration fee and renew on the same schedule as your vehicle registration.
- Specialty plates cost between $25 and $50 more per year than standard plates and direct that extra fee to a specific organization or cause.
- Personalized plates allow you to choose up to seven characters but cost extra and have content restrictions—no profanity, hate speech, or messages that could be offensive.
- You can switch between plate types at any time during your registration period, though you may lose the unused portion of your fee if you change before renewal.
- Specialty and personalized plates renew annually, while standard plates renew on your vehicle's registration anniversary.
Standard Colorado Plates and Renewal Costs
A standard Colorado plate comes with your vehicle registration and costs nothing extra. The fee you pay for registration covers the plate itself. Standard plates display a three-digit county code (001 for Adams County, 002 for Alamosa County, and so on), followed by a three-letter and three-number combination assigned by the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
Standard plates renew on your vehicle's registration anniversary—typically every year or every two years, depending on your vehicle type and whether you have a commercial registration. When you renew your registration through the Colorado DMV, your standard plate renews automatically at no additional cost beyond your base registration fee.
If you want to keep a standard plate but move to a different county, you can request a new plate with your new county code. This does not cost extra, but you will need to visit a DMV office or submit a request through the online system.
Specialty Plates: Causes, Organizations, and Annual Costs
Colorado offers more than 30 specialty plate designs, each supporting a different cause or organization. These include plates for wildlife conservation (Colorado Parks and Wildlife), veterans, higher education (University of Colorado, Colorado State University, and others), and causes like organ donation awareness. The Colorado Parks and Wildlife plate is one of the most common; the University of Colorado plate is another popular choice among alumni.
A specialty plate costs $25 to $50 more per year than a standard plate, depending on which design you choose. That extra fee goes directly to the organization or cause the plate supports. For example, the Colorado Parks and Wildlife plate adds $25 annually, and that money funds wildlife habitat and conservation programs. The University of Colorado plate adds $35 per year to support university scholarships and programs.
Specialty plates renew every year, regardless of your vehicle's standard registration cycle. If your vehicle registration renews every two years, your specialty plate still renews annually—you will receive a renewal notice separate from your vehicle registration notice. You can switch back to a standard plate at any time, though you will not receive a refund for the unused portion of the specialty plate fee if you change before the annual renewal date.
Personalized Plates: Character Limits and Content Rules
A personalized (or vanity) plate lets you replace the standard letter-number combination with a custom message. You can use up to seven characters—letters, numbers, or a combination. Spaces and hyphens count as characters, so "GO BUFFS" uses seven characters and is allowed, but "GO BUFFALOES" uses 12 and is not.
Colorado DMV rejects personalized plate requests that contain profanity, slurs, hate speech, or messages that could be considered offensive or obscene. The review process is subjective, and what one reviewer approves another might reject. Common rejections include plates with drug references, sexual content, or messages targeting a group of people. If your request is denied, you can appeal or submit a different message.
Personalized plates cost $50 to $100 more per year than a standard plate, depending on the specific design and whether you combine it with a specialty plate. You can create a personalized specialty plate—for example, a Colorado Parks and Wildlife plate with your custom message—which costs the sum of both fees. Personalized plates renew annually, and you receive a separate renewal notice from the DMV.
How to Order or Switch Plate Types
To order a specialty or personalized plate, visit the Colorado DMV website (dmv.colorado.gov) or visit a DMV office in person. Online, you can browse available specialty plate designs, check personalized message availability, and submit your request. The DMV will process your request and mail the new plate to you within two to three weeks.
If you are registering a new vehicle, you can select your plate type during the registration process. If you already have a standard plate and want to switch, you can request a new plate at any time—you do not have to wait for your registration to expire. When you switch, your registration renewal date stays the same, but your new plate type will renew on its own schedule (annually for specialty and personalized plates).
If you want to keep a personalized message but switch from one specialty design to another, you can do that through the DMV website without losing your custom characters. The fee difference will be calculated based on your remaining registration period.
Costs and Fees Compared Side by Side
| Plate Type | Extra Cost Per Year | Renewal Cycle | When to Choose It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | None (included in registration) | Matches vehicle registration (1 or 2 years) | You want the lowest cost and no extra fees |
| Specialty | $25–$50 per year | Annual | You want to support a specific cause or organization |
| Personalized | $50–$100 per year | Annual | You want a custom message on your plate |
| Personalized Specialty | $75–$150 per year | Annual | You want both a custom message and to support a cause |
The costs above are current as of 2024, but the DMV adjusts specialty plate fees periodically. Check the Colorado DMV website for the exact fee for the plate you are interested in before you order.
What Happens When You Switch or Cancel a Plate Type
If you switch from a specialty or personalized plate back to a standard plate before your annual renewal, you will not receive a refund for the unused portion of the extra fee. For example, if you pay $35 for a specialty plate in January and switch to a standard plate in June, you lose the $17.50 you paid for the remaining six months. To avoid this, plan your switch for your renewal date if possible.
If you switch from one specialty plate to another (for example, from Colorado Parks and Wildlife to a university plate), the DMV will calculate the fee difference and adjust your next renewal bill. If the new plate costs more, you pay the difference. If it costs less, the difference may be credited to your next renewal or refunded, depending on the timing.
Personalized plates are held in your name for a limited time after you stop using them. If you cancel a personalized plate and want to reclaim the same message later, contact the DMV to ask whether it is still available. Popular or short messages are claimed quickly by other drivers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a personalized plate with fewer than seven characters?
Yes. You can use anywhere from one to seven characters. Shorter messages are more expensive because they are more desirable and harder to get—a one-character plate might cost significantly more than a seven-character plate. Check availability and pricing on the Colorado DMV website before you order.
What if the personalized message I want is already taken?
The Colorado DMV website shows you availability in real time when you search. If your first choice is taken, you can modify it slightly (add a number, change a letter, or use a hyphen or space) and check again. You can also put your name on a waiting list for certain messages, though this is not may provide to work.
Do specialty plates have different rules about where I can park or drive?
No. Specialty and personalized plates have no special parking privileges, HOV lane access, or other legal benefits. They are purely decorative and serve only to show support for a cause or display a custom message. Standard, specialty, and personalized plates are treated identically under Colorado traffic and parking law.
Can I transfer my personalized plate to a different vehicle?
Yes. You can transfer a personalized plate to another vehicle you own by contacting the Colorado DMV. There is typically a small transfer fee (usually $10 to $20), and the plate must be in good condition. You cannot transfer a plate to a vehicle registered in someone else's name.
How long does it take to receive a new specialty or personalized plate?
The Colorado DMV typically mails new plates within two to three weeks of approval. If you need a plate faster, some DMV offices can issue temporary plates or expedited service for an additional fee. Check with your local DMV office about expedited options.