What Colorado license plate options are available

Colorado offers three main categories of plates: the standard blue-and-white plate that comes with vehicle registration, specialty plates that support specific causes or organizations, and personalized plates where you choose the characters. Standard plates are issued automatically when you register a vehicle. Specialty plates cost more than standard registration but a portion of the fee goes to the organization or program listed on the plate. Personalized plates let you replace the random number-and-letter combination with a custom message, up to seven characters, and also cost extra.

The state issues plates through the Colorado Department of Revenue, Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). You can order specialty and personalized plates when you first register a vehicle or renew your registration. Online ordering through the Colorado DMV website is available for most plate types, though some specialty plates require an process to a specific organization first.

Key Takeaways

  • Standard Colorado plates are issued with your registration at no extra cost and display a blue-and-white design with the state name and a mountain graphic.
  • Specialty plates support causes like wildlife conservation, veterans services, or higher education, and cost between $25 and $100 extra per year depending on the plate type.
  • Personalized plates let you choose up to seven characters and cost an additional fee on top of your registration renewal.
  • You can order specialty and personalized plates online through the Colorado DMV website or by mail when you register or renew.
  • Some specialty plates require you to join an organization or meet specific criteria before the DMV will issue them.

Standard Colorado license plates

The standard plate is what you receive when you register a vehicle in Colorado without requesting anything else. It displays the Colorado state name, a blue-and-white color scheme, and a mountain graphic in the upper left corner. The plate includes a random combination of letters and numbers assigned by the DMV based on your vehicle's registration. You cannot change the characters on a standard plate.

Standard plates are included in your registration fee and do not cost extra. They are valid for the same period as your registration—typically five years for passenger vehicles, though commercial and other vehicle types may differ. When you renew your registration, you keep the same plate number unless you request a different one or upgrade to a specialty or personalized plate.

Specialty plates that support organizations and causes

Colorado offers more than 80 specialty plate designs. Each plate displays a unique graphic or message related to a specific organization, cause, or program. Examples include plates supporting wildlife conservation, veterans, higher education institutions, professional organizations, and environmental causes. A portion of the annual fee for a specialty plate—typically $25 to $100 above your standard registration cost—goes to the organization or program listed on the plate.

Some specialty plates require you to meet specific criteria before you can order them. For example, plates supporting a particular university may require proof of enrollment or alumni status. Military or veteran plates may require documentation of service. Wildlife and conservation plates typically have no membership requirement. You can view the full list of available specialty plates and their requirements on the Colorado DMV website.

To order a specialty plate, you can explore online through the DMV website during registration or renewal, or by mail. If the plate requires membership or proof of status, you may need to submit that documentation to the organization first, then request the plate through the DMV. The organization will confirm your status before the DMV issues the plate.

Personalized license plates in Colorado

A personalized plate lets you replace the random character combination with a custom message of your choice, up to seven characters. You can use letters, numbers, and spaces. The plate retains the standard Colorado design—blue and white with the mountain graphic—but displays your chosen text instead of the DMV-assigned combination.

Personalized plates cost an additional fee beyond your registration renewal, typically $50 to $75 depending on the year and any current promotions. You can order a personalized plate online through the Colorado DMV website by entering your desired text and checking availability. If your first choice is already taken by another vehicle owner, the system will suggest alternatives or let you try a different combination.

The DMV will reject personalized plate requests that contain offensive language, impersonate government agencies, or violate other state rules. Common rejections include plates that look like they could be official government plates, plates with profanity, or plates that could be confused with standard registration numbers. The DMV website shows you when ready whether your requested text is available.

How to order specialty or personalized plates

You can order a specialty or personalized plate when you first register a vehicle or when you renew your registration. The easiest method is through the Colorado DMV website, where you can select your plate type, check availability, and pay the fee online. You will need your vehicle identification number (VIN), current registration information, and a payment method.

If you prefer to order by mail, you can read the process form from the DMV website, fill it out, and send it with payment to the address listed on the form. Mail orders take longer to process—typically two to four weeks—compared to online orders, which are usually processed within one to two weeks.

When your new plate is ready, the DMV will mail it to the address on your registration. You are responsible for installing it on your vehicle. Colorado requires plates on both the front and rear of most passenger vehicles, so you may need to order two plates if you are replacing both.

Cost and renewal of specialty and personalized plates

The cost of a specialty plate varies by organization and cause. Most specialty plates cost between $25 and $100 extra per year on top of your standard registration fee. Some plates have a one-time process fee in addition to the annual cost. The Colorado DMV website lists the exact fee for each specialty plate before you order.

Personalized plates typically cost $50 to $75 per registration period. This fee is separate from your standard registration renewal fee, so your total renewal cost will be higher if you choose a personalized plate.

Both specialty and personalized plates renew on the same schedule as your vehicle registration. When you renew your registration, you can keep the same specialty or personalized plate, switch to a different one, or return to a standard plate. If you switch plate types, you will pay only the fee for the new plate type—you do not pay for both.

Replacing or transferring plates

If your specialty or personalized plate is damaged, lost, or stolen, you can request a replacement from the Colorado DMV. Replacement plates cost less than a new plate order—typically $10 to $20—and are processed quickly. You can order a replacement online or by mail using the same process as a new plate order.

If you sell your vehicle, the license plate stays with the vehicle unless you request to keep it. Personalized plates can be transferred to a new vehicle you own, but you must submit a transfer request to the DMV. Specialty plates are tied to your vehicle registration, so if you sell the vehicle, the plate goes with it. If you want to keep a specialty plate design on a new vehicle, you must order a new plate for that vehicle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I order a personalized plate with fewer than seven characters?

Yes. You can use anywhere from one to seven characters on a personalized plate. Shorter plates are allowed and cost the same as longer ones. The DMV will check availability for whatever combination you request.

What happens if someone else already has the personalized plate I want?

The Colorado DMV system will tell you when ready that the plate is unavailable when you search online. You can then choose a different combination. There is no waitlist for personalized plates—if your choice is taken, you must select something else.

Do specialty plates expire or need to be renewed?

Yes. Specialty plates renew on the same schedule as your vehicle registration, typically every five years for passenger vehicles. You pay the specialty plate fee again at each renewal. You can switch to a standard plate at renewal time if you no longer want the specialty plate.

Can I use a personalized plate on a commercial or motorcycle registration?

Personalized plates are available for most vehicle types registered in Colorado, including motorcycles and some commercial vehicles. Check the Colorado DMV website to confirm whether personalized plates are available for your specific vehicle type and registration class.

How long does it take to receive a new specialty or personalized plate?

Online orders are typically processed and mailed within one to two weeks. Mail orders take two to four weeks. Once the DMV mails your plate, delivery by standard mail usually takes another three to five business days, depending on your location.