What Colorado License Plate Options Are Available

Colorado offers three main types of license plates: standard plates (the default option), specialty plates (which support specific causes or organizations), and personalized plates (where you choose the characters). Most drivers renew with a standard plate without thinking about it, but you can switch to a specialty or personalized plate at any point during registration or renewal. Each type costs differently and serves a different purpose.

Standard plates come with your vehicle registration and display the Colorado state flag, mountains, and a random combination of letters and numbers. Specialty plates look similar but include a different design or logo, and a portion of the fee goes to a nonprofit or state program. Personalized plates let you pick the characters (within limits), making your plate unique to you.

Key Takeaways

  • Standard plates are included in your regular registration fee and require no extra steps; specialty and personalized plates cost more and must be ordered separately.
  • Specialty plates support causes like wildlife conservation, veterans' organizations, or higher education, with part of the fee going to the supporting organization.
  • Personalized plates let you choose up to seven characters but cannot contain profanity, slurs, or combinations that spell offensive words.
  • You can order specialty or personalized plates through the Colorado Department of Revenue's online portal or by mail, and they arrive within two to four weeks.
  • Switching plate types does not require a vehicle inspection or title change—only a registration update.

Standard Plates and What They Include

A standard Colorado plate comes automatically with your vehicle registration and costs nothing extra. The plate displays the Colorado state flag in the upper left corner, followed by three letters and four numbers in a random combination assigned by the state. The design has remained largely the same for years, and the plate is valid for the life of your vehicle unless it becomes damaged or unreadable.

You do not need to do anything to get a standard plate—it arrives with your registration documents when you first register a vehicle in Colorado or renew an existing registration. If your standard plate becomes damaged, faded, or illegible, you can request a replacement through the Colorado Department of Revenue for a small fee (typically under $10). Standard plates are the most common choice because they require no additional cost or decision-making.

Specialty Plates: Supporting Causes and Organizations

Colorado offers more than 30 specialty plate designs, each supporting a different nonprofit, state program, or cause. Examples include plates for wildlife conservation, veterans, higher education institutions (like the University of Colorado or Colorado State University), and organizations focused on children's health or the environment. When you order a specialty plate, a portion of the registration fee—usually $25 to $50 per year—goes directly to the organization the plate supports.

To order a specialty plate, visit the Colorado Department of Revenue's website and browse the available designs. You can see which organization each plate supports and how much of your fee goes to them. Once you choose a design, you pay the specialty plate fee along with your regular registration renewal. The plate arrives by mail within two to four weeks. You can switch to a different specialty plate design at your next renewal, or you can return to a standard plate if you change your mind.

Specialty plates are valid for the same duration as standard plates and do not affect your vehicle's registration status or insurance. Some people choose specialty plates because they support a cause they care about; others choose them straightforward because they prefer the design. There is no requirement to choose one—it is entirely optional.

Personalized Plates: Choosing Your Own Characters

A personalized plate lets you pick the characters that appear on your plate instead of accepting a random assignment. You can choose up to seven characters, which can be letters, numbers, or a combination. For example, you might choose "MYPLATE" or "CO2024" or "SKIER1". The Colorado state flag and mountains still appear in the upper left, and the plate functions exactly like a standard plate.

Personalized plates cost more than standard plates—typically $50 to $100 for the initial order, plus the regular registration fee. Renewal fees vary but are usually $25 to $50 per year. The Colorado Department of Revenue checks your requested characters against a list of prohibited combinations before approving your order. You cannot use profanity, slurs, or combinations that spell offensive words. If your first choice is taken or rejected, you can submit alternative options.

To order a personalized plate, visit the Colorado Department of Revenue's online system and search for your desired character combination. The system will tell you when ready whether it is available. If it is, you pay the fee and the plate arrives within two to four weeks. If it is not available, you can try a different combination. You can keep the same personalized plate for as long as you own the vehicle, or you can change it at renewal time if you want something different.

How to Order Specialty or Personalized Plates Online

The Colorado Department of Revenue's online portal is the fastest way to order a specialty or personalized plate. Visit the DMV section of the state website and look for the license plate options page. You will need your vehicle's current registration number and your driver's license number to log in.

For specialty plates, browse the available designs, select the one you want, and add it to your renewal. For personalized plates, use the search tool to check whether your desired characters are available. Once you confirm availability, you can customize the plate and proceed to payment. You will pay the specialty or personalized plate fee plus your regular registration renewal fee. The system will show you the total cost before you submit payment.

If you prefer not to order online, you can also order by mail. Contact the Colorado Department of Revenue for a form, fill it out with your plate choice and vehicle information, and mail it with a check or money order. Mail orders take longer—typically three to six weeks total—because the form must be processed before your plate is made and shipped.

Costs and Renewal Fees

Standard plates cost nothing beyond your regular vehicle registration fee. Specialty plates add $25 to $50 per year, depending on the organization. Personalized plates cost $50 to $100 for the initial order, then $25 to $50 per year at renewal. Some specialty plates may cost more if the organization charges a higher fee to support their work.

When you renew your registration, you will be asked whether you want to keep your current plate type or switch. If you have a specialty or personalized plate and want to return to a standard plate, you can do so at renewal without penalty—you straightforward pay only the standard registration fee. If you want to upgrade from standard to specialty or personalized, you pay the additional fee at that time. You do not need to wait for your next renewal to switch; you can change plate types mid-registration cycle, though you will pay a separate fee for the new plate.

Switching Plate Types or Replacing a Damaged Plate

You can switch from a standard plate to a specialty or personalized plate at any time, not just at renewal. Visit the Colorado Department of Revenue's website, order your new plate, and pay the fee. Your old plate becomes invalid once the new one arrives and is activated. You do not need to return the old plate to the state—you can keep it as a memento or discard it.

If your plate becomes damaged, faded, or illegible, you can request a replacement. For a standard plate, the replacement fee is typically under $10. For a specialty or personalized plate, the replacement fee is usually the same as the initial specialty or personalized plate fee. Contact the Colorado Department of Revenue with your vehicle information and explain the damage, and they will send you a replacement plate by mail.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep the same personalized plate if I sell my vehicle?

No. Personalized plates are tied to your vehicle registration, not to you as a person. When you sell the vehicle, the plate goes with it unless you specifically request to keep it. If you want to keep a personalized plate, you must transfer it to a new vehicle you own before selling the old one. Contact the Colorado Department of Revenue to arrange a plate transfer.

What happens if someone else gets the personalized plate I want after I request it?

The Colorado Department of Revenue processes personalized plate requests in the order they are received. Once you submit your request and it is approved, the characters are reserved for you. If someone else requests the same characters before you submit your request, they get it and it becomes unavailable. The system shows you when ready whether your choice is available, so you know before you pay.

Do specialty plates affect my vehicle insurance or registration?

No. Specialty plates are purely cosmetic and do not change your registration status, vehicle classification, or insurance rates. Your insurance company does not care what plate design you have. The only difference is the annual fee you pay to the state, which supports the organization the plate represents.

How long does it take to receive a new plate after I order it?

Online orders typically arrive within two to four weeks. Mail orders take three to six weeks because the form must be processed before the plate is manufactured and shipped. You can continue driving with your old plate until the new one arrives; there is no gap in your registration.

Can I order a personalized plate with only numbers, or only letters?

Yes. You can use any combination of letters and numbers up to seven characters total. You could order "1234567" or "ABCDEFG" or any mix. The Colorado Department of Revenue will check your choice against the prohibited list and let you know if it is available.