Colorado lets you design your own plate through the Department of Revenue, but the process takes several weeks and costs more than a standard plate

Colorado's personalized license plate program lets you choose a custom combination of letters and numbers instead of using the random sequence the state assigns. You order through the Colorado Department of Revenue, pay an annual fee on top of your regular registration, and wait for the plate to arrive by mail. The plate itself is legal for regular driving — it's not a vanity decoration, it's your actual registration plate.

The catch is timing and cost. Standard Colorado plates cost nothing extra; personalized plates add $50 to $100 per year depending on the design you choose. The order takes 4 to 6 weeks from approval to delivery. If you need a plate when ready, you'll have to stick with a standard plate or order a temporary one while you wait.

Key Takeaways

  • You order personalized plates through the Colorado Department of Revenue's online system or by mail, and the state checks your choice against existing plates and content rules before approving it.
  • Personalized plates cost $50 to $100 per year extra on top of your registration fee, and you renew them every year like a standard plate.
  • The approval and delivery process takes 4 to 6 weeks, so plan ahead if you want a custom plate by a specific date.
  • Colorado has content rules: plates cannot contain profanity, slurs, or messages that promote illegal activity, and the state rejects combinations that are already taken or too similar to existing plates.

How to order a personalized plate online

Start at the Colorado Department of Revenue's website and navigate to the personalized plate section. You'll enter your desired combination of letters and numbers — up to 7 characters total — and the system will tell you when ready whether it's available. If it's taken or flagged for review, you can try other combinations right away.

Once you find an available combination you want, you'll add it to your order and pay the personalized plate fee plus your regular registration renewal cost. You'll need your current registration number and a valid payment method. The state then processes your order and mails the plate to the address on file, usually within 4 to 6 weeks.

If you're ordering a personalized plate for the first time on a vehicle, you may need to renew your registration at the same time. Check your registration expiration date before you start — if it's not due for renewal yet, you may have to wait or pay an early renewal fee to add the personalized plate.

Ordering by mail if you can't use the online system

You can also order a personalized plate by mail using the process for Personalized License Plate form from the Colorado Department of Revenue. Print the form, fill in your desired plate combination, and mail it with a check or money order to the address listed on the form.

Mail orders take longer than online orders — expect 6 to 8 weeks total from the time the state receives your form. Include your current registration number and vehicle information so the state can match your order to your account. If your desired combination is unavailable or rejected, the state will contact you by mail with alternatives, which adds another 1 to 2 weeks to the process.

What combinations the state will and won't approve

Colorado rejects personalized plates that contain profanity, slurs, or hate speech. The state also blocks combinations that appear to promote illegal activity or that are already assigned to another vehicle. Combinations that are too similar to existing plates — for example, using the number 1 instead of the letter I — may also be rejected.

The state reviews each submission for content, so even if the online system initially shows a combination as available, it can still be rejected during the review process. If that happens, you'll be notified and given a chance to submit a different combination. There's no additional fee for resubmission.

Keep in mind that Colorado's rules are stricter than some states' rules. A plate that might be approved in another state could be rejected in Colorado. If you're unsure whether your combination will pass review, you can contact the Colorado Department of Revenue directly before ordering.

Cost breakdown and renewal

A personalized plate in Colorado costs $50 per year for a standard design or $100 per year for a specialty design (such as plates featuring wildlife, mountains, or other state themes). This is in addition to your regular registration renewal fee, which varies by vehicle weight and county. You pay the personalized plate fee every year when you renew your registration.

If you decide you no longer want a personalized plate, you can switch back to a standard plate at your next renewal. You won't get a refund for the current year's personalized plate fee, but you won't have to pay it again. Your vehicle will be assigned a standard plate number at that time.

Temporary plates while you wait for your personalized plate

If you need to drive your vehicle before your personalized plate arrives, you have two options. First, you can keep using your old plate if your registration is still valid. Second, you can order a temporary registration permit from the Colorado Department of Revenue, which gives you a 30-day window to drive legally while your new plate is in transit.

A temporary permit costs less than a personalized plate and arrives much faster — usually within a few days. You'll need it if your registration has already expired or if you're registering a newly purchased vehicle. Once your personalized plate arrives, you'll install it and discard the temporary permit.

Transferring a personalized plate to a different vehicle

You can transfer a personalized plate from one vehicle to another, but the process requires a new registration for the receiving vehicle. Contact the Colorado Department of Revenue to request the transfer, and they'll guide you through the steps. You'll pay a transfer fee (the amount varies) and your registration will be updated to show the new vehicle.

The personalized plate itself doesn't change — it stays the same combination of letters and numbers. You keep paying the annual personalized plate fee each year, regardless of which vehicle it's on. If you sell the vehicle the plate is currently on, you can transfer the plate to your new vehicle or let it expire and return to a standard plate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reserve a personalized plate before I buy a vehicle?

No. You must have an active registration to order a personalized plate. You can check whether a combination is available on the Colorado Department of Revenue website, but you can't reserve it until you register a vehicle. Once you own a vehicle and register it, you can order the personalized plate when ready.

What happens if someone else orders the plate I want while I'm deciding?

If another driver orders the combination you're considering, it becomes unavailable. The online system shows availability in real time, so if you see a combination available, order it right away if you're serious about it. You can always cancel and try a different combination if you change your mind during the approval process.

Do I have to renew my personalized plate every year?

Yes. Personalized plates renew annually along with your vehicle registration. You'll pay the personalized plate fee ($50 or $100) plus your regular registration renewal fee each year. If you don't renew, your plate becomes invalid and you'll need to switch to a standard plate or reorder the personalized plate when you renew.

Can I use a personalized plate on a trailer or motorcycle?

Colorado allows personalized plates on motorcycles and some trailers, but the rules vary by vehicle type. Check the Colorado Department of Revenue website or call their office to confirm whether your specific vehicle type is may be able to access for a personalized plate.

What if my personalized plate is damaged or lost?

Contact the Colorado Department of Revenue to report the damage or loss. They can issue a replacement plate with the same combination. You'll pay a replacement fee, which is typically less than the cost of a new personalized plate order. The replacement usually arrives within 2 to 3 weeks.