Colorado personalized plates let you choose your own combination of letters and numbers instead of using the random sequence the state assigns

A personalized plate in Colorado costs an additional $50 on top of your regular registration fee, and you order it through the Colorado Department of Revenue's online system or by mail. The state allows up to seven characters — letters, numbers, or a mix — and you can request almost any combination you want, as long as it is not already taken by another vehicle and does not violate content rules. Most requests are approved within two to four weeks.

The process is straightforward if you already have a vehicle registered in Colorado. If you are registering a new vehicle at the same time, you can add the personalized plate request to that process. Either way, you will need your current registration or vehicle identification number (VIN), and you will pay the $50 fee upfront whether your request is approved or denied.

Key Takeaways

  • Personalized plates cost $50 extra per year on top of your regular Colorado registration renewal fee.
  • You can request up to seven characters using letters, numbers, or both, but the state will reject requests that are already taken or that contain offensive language or impersonation of government agencies.
  • The fastest way to order is through the Colorado Department of Revenue website, where you can check availability and submit your request in one session.
  • Approval typically takes two to four weeks, and you will receive your new plate by mail once the request is granted.
  • If your requested combination is taken, you can submit a new request when ready without paying another fee — you only pay once your final choice is approved.

Ordering online through the Colorado Department of Revenue website

Go to the Colorado Department of Revenue's Motor Vehicles section and look for the personalized plate ordering tool. You will need to log in with your Colorado driver's license number and date of birth, or create an account if you do not have one. Once logged in, enter your current vehicle registration number or VIN.

Type your desired plate combination into the search box. The system will tell you when ready whether that combination is available. If it is taken, try another combination right away — there is no penalty for checking multiple options. Once you find an available combination you want, add it to your cart and proceed to payment. You will pay the $50 personalized plate fee at checkout. The system will also ask you to confirm your mailing address, since your new plate will be sent there.

After you submit your order, you will receive a confirmation number by email. Write this down or save the email. Your request then goes into the approval queue, and the state will review it for content violations. You should receive your new plate within two to four weeks. If the state denies your request, they will contact you by mail with the reason, and you can submit a new request at no additional cost.

Ordering by mail if you prefer not to use the website

read the process for Personalized License Plate form from the Colorado Department of Revenue website, or call 303-205-5600 to request a copy by mail. Fill in your vehicle information, current registration number, and your requested plate combination. Write clearly — the state will process your request based on what you submit, so any unclear letters or numbers may cause delays.

Include a check or money order for $50 payable to the Colorado Department of Revenue. Mail the completed form and payment to the address listed on the form, which is typically the Motor Vehicles office in Denver. Keep a copy of your form for your records, and consider using certified mail so you have proof of delivery.

Mail processing takes longer than online ordering — expect three to six weeks from the time the state receives your form. If your request is denied, they will return your check and explain why by mail. You can then resubmit with a different combination.

What the state will reject and why

Colorado will not approve personalized plates that contain profanity, slurs, or language that demeans a protected group. The state also rejects combinations that impersonate government agencies, law enforcement, or official vehicles — so you cannot request something that looks like a government plate. Combinations that are sexually explicit or that promote illegal activity will be denied.

The state is fairly permissive about everything else. Combinations that reference pop culture, sports teams, inside jokes, or personal names are usually approved. Numbers and letters can be mixed in any order. If you are unsure whether your idea will pass, you can call the Motor Vehicles office at 303-205-5600 and ask before you submit and pay.

Renewing your personalized plate each year

Once you have a personalized plate, you do not need to reorder it every year. When your registration comes up for renewal, you will see the personalized plate fee listed on your renewal notice. Pay the $50 along with your regular registration renewal, and your plate stays active. If you do not pay the personalized plate fee during renewal, your plate will revert to a standard state-issued plate.

If you sell your vehicle or transfer the registration to someone else, your personalized plate goes with the vehicle unless you specifically request to keep it. If you want to keep the combination for a future vehicle, contact the Motor Vehicles office before you sell — they can place a hold on your combination for a limited time while you arrange your next registration.

Transferring a personalized plate to a different vehicle you own

If you own multiple vehicles and want to move your personalized plate from one to another, you can do this through a plate transfer. Contact the Colorado Department of Revenue Motor Vehicles office at 303-205-5600 or visit in person. You will need the registration documents for both vehicles — the one you are removing the plate from and the one you are moving it to.

There is no additional fee to transfer a personalized plate between your own vehicles. The transfer is processed quickly, usually within one to two weeks. Your new vehicle will receive the plate by mail, and your old vehicle will be assigned a standard state plate. Make sure both vehicles are currently registered in Colorado under your name for the transfer to go through.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use spaces or special characters like hyphens or periods on a personalized plate?

No. Colorado personalized plates allow only letters (A–Z) and numbers (0–9). Spaces, hyphens, periods, and other symbols are not permitted. You can mix letters and numbers in any order within your seven-character limit, but that is the only flexibility you have.

What happens if someone else requests the same plate combination while my process is being reviewed?

The state processes requests in the order they are received. If your request is submitted first, you will receive approval. If someone else submits the same combination before yours is approved, their request will be denied. This is why the state does not hold combinations during the review period — it is first come, first served.

Can I get a refund if my personalized plate request is denied?

No. The $50 fee is non-refundable whether your request is approved or denied. However, if your request is denied, you can submit a new request for a different combination at no additional cost. You only pay the $50 fee once, and you can use it toward as many new requests as you need until one is approved.

Do I have to renew my personalized plate if I move out of Colorado?

If you move out of Colorado and register your vehicle in another state, your Colorado personalized plate becomes invalid. You will need to follow that state's registration process. If you move back to Colorado later, you can request the same combination again if it is still available, but you will pay the $50 fee as if it were a new request.

How long does a personalized plate last once it is approved?

Your personalized plate lasts as long as you renew your vehicle registration and pay the $50 annual personalized plate fee. There is no expiration date on the combination itself. As long as you keep paying the fee each year, you keep the plate. If you stop paying the fee or let your registration lapse, the combination goes back into the available pool and someone else can request it.