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updateUpdated 2026-10-10

Colorado License Plate Lookup

Get the full NHTSA vehicle report for any Colorado plate — make, model, year, recalls, and crash safety ratings — free with no signup. Vehicle data only.

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COLORADO123-ABC

5.5M

Registered Vehicles

Colorado (FHWA)

Since 1913

Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles

123-ABC

Colorado DMV License Plate Quick Facts

Agency	Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles
Issuance year	1913
Current format	123-ABC — Seven characters on the current Colorado mountain design: three digits, a dash, and three letters. Colorado is a two-plate state.
Plates required	Two (front and rear)
Replacement fee	$8.06
Registration validity	1 year
Registered vehicles	5.5M (approx.)
DMV contact	1-303-205-5600 · dmv.colorado.gov

How do I look up a Colorado license plate?

Need a Colorado DMV license plate lookup-style vehicle report? Use the CO license plate lookup tool above — same NHTSA data, no DMV trip required.

1
Enter the Colorado license plate number in the search field above. Spaces and dashes are optional.
2
Confirm CO is selected in the state dropdown — plate numbers can repeat across states, so the state is required for accurate matching.
3
Press Search Plate. You'll see make, model, year, trim, engine, open recalls, and NHTSA crash safety ratings in seconds.

Run a CO plate lookuparrow_forward

What does a Colorado license plate lookup reveal?

Every license plate lookup colorado on this page returns NHTSA vehicle data instantly. Driver and registered-owner personal information is protected under the DPPA's 1994 federal restrictions and is not part of any free vehicle report.

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DPPA notice — vehicle data only

This Colorado license plate lookup returns vehicle information only — make, model, year, recalls, and safety ratings from NHTSA's public database. We do not return the registered owner's name, address, phone number, email, driving record, or any other personal information about the driver. Personal driver and owner information is protected under the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act of 1994 (18 U.S.C. § 2721) and is not lawfully accessible through any free public lookup.

Free — available here

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Registered owner name, address, contact details, and driving records are protected under the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (18 U.S.C. § 2721) and are not returned by this site or any other free public lookup. This tool provides vehicle-level data only — make, model, year, recalls, safety ratings, and EPA fuel economy — sourced from NHTSA and EPA public databases.

What does a Colorado license plate format look like?

Seven characters on the current Colorado mountain design: three digits, a dash, and three letters. Colorado is a two-plate state. A free Colorado license plate lookup also works on legacy plate formats listed in the table below.

COLORADO123-ABC

Colorado license plate formats through the years

Era	Format	Example
1913–1944	Sequential numeric / county-prefixed	12345
1945–1957	County-coded numeric	AB-12345
1958–1975	Numeric / alphanumeric	AB-1234
1976–1999	3 letters + 3 digits (green mountain design)	ABC 123
2000–2012	3 digits + 3 letters (Colorado green mountain refreshed)	123-ABC
2013–present	3 digits + 3 letters (white-green Colorado design)	123-ABC

Colorado license plate laws you should know

Below are the four laws that most often trip up Colorado drivers. Rules are enforced at the stop, the inspection station, and at registration renewal.

Two plates required

Colorado requires two plates — front and rear — on every passenger vehicle under C.R.S. § 42-3-202. Failure to display either plate can result in fines.

Front plate rule

No exemption exists for vehicles lacking a front mounting bracket. Owners must install a bracket or face a citation under § 42-3-202.

Registration stickers & display

Colorado issues a registration tab affixed to the upper-right corner of the rear plate showing the month and year of expiration. Registration must be renewed annually.

Inspection / smog check

Colorado's AIR Program requires emissions testing in the Denver metro area and North Front Range (Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, Jefferson, Larimer, and Weld counties) for gasoline vehicles 7+ model years old. Annual or biennial testing depending on age. There is no statewide safety inspection requirement.

Types of Colorado license plates

Colorado issues dozens of plate designs. These are the main categories you'll encounter on the road or see at the DMV counter.

Standard Colorado / Mountain

Default plate with the iconic Colorado mountain skyline issued in the 123-ABC format. Two plates required.

Personalized / Vanity

Up to 7 characters on the standard or specialty backgrounds. $60 initial + $25/year through Colorado DMV.

Disabled / Disabled Veteran

ISA wheelchair symbol; qualifies for accessible parking statewide. DV plates carry reduced fees.

Military specialty

Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Silver Star, POW, Pearl Harbor Survivor, Gold Star Family, and branch-specific plates.

Special interest

Colorado Buffaloes, Avalanche, Broncos, Rockies, Pioneer, Pet Friendly, Wildlife conservation, and over 70 cause plates.

Horseless Carriage / Collector

For vehicles 25+ years old used primarily for exhibitions, parades, and club events. Restricted to occasional use.

How much does a Colorado license plate cost?

Typical Colorado DMV fees for plates, registration, and related services. Always confirm current amounts on the official DMV site before paying.

Annual registration (varies by vehicle weight and age)	$50–$200+ (combination of state fees, ownership tax, and county fees)
Specific Ownership Tax (SOT, annual)	Based on year and original taxable value (decreases over time)
Replacement plate	$8.06
Personalized plate (initial)	$60
Personalized plate (annual)	$25
Title fee	$7.20

Source: Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles — https://dmv.colorado.gov

What if my Colorado plate is lost, stolen, or damaged?

Follow these steps to replace a Colorado license plate. Do not keep driving with a missing plate — it is a citable offense in most states.

1
File a police report immediately if the plates were stolen.
2
Visit your local Colorado county motor vehicle office (registration is handled at the county level).
3
Complete the Statement of One and the Same / Affidavit (Form DR 2698) and Application for Duplicate Plates (Form DR 2283).
4
Pay the $8.06 replacement fee plus any county-specific charges.
5
Most county MV offices issue substitute plates on the spot; some require mailing.

Colorado DMV contact & privacy

Official agency

Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles

call1-303-205-5600

languagedmv.colorado.gov

DPPA privacy notice

Personal information tied to a Colorado license plate — driver name, address, date of birth, phone number, email, and driving record — is protected by the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (18 U.S.C. § 2721) and is not returned by this site. This page and the lookup tool provide vehicle-level data only: make, model, year, trim, recalls, and safety ratings from NHTSA's public database.

Frequently asked questions

Common questions about Colorado license plate lookups, DMV rules, and plate replacement.

How do I run a Colorado license plate lookup?expand_more

Enter any Colorado plate in the search field above and press Check Plate. You'll get the vehicle's make, model, year, trim, open NHTSA recalls, and crash ratings — free, no signup required.

Does Colorado require a front license plate?expand_more

Yes. C.R.S. § 42-3-202 requires passenger vehicles to display two plates — one on the front and one on the rear. There is no exemption for vehicles sold without a front bracket.

How much does a replacement Colorado plate cost?expand_more

The replacement fee is $8.06 plus any county-specific charges. Replacements are processed at your local county motor vehicle office using Forms DR 2698 and DR 2283.

What is the current Colorado license plate format?expand_more

The standard Colorado passenger plate uses a 7-character format: three digits, a dash, and three letters (e.g., 123-ABC) on the iconic Colorado mountain design.

Are Colorado license plate records public?expand_more

No. Owner information tied to a Colorado plate is protected under the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) and C.R.S. § 24-72-204. Free lookups return only vehicle-level data.

Does Colorado require emissions testing?expand_more

Colorado's AIR Program requires emissions testing in the Denver metro and North Front Range counties (Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, Jefferson, Larimer, Weld) for gasoline vehicles 7+ years old. There is no statewide safety inspection requirement.

How do I get a personalized Colorado plate?expand_more

Personalized plates are ordered through your county motor vehicle office or at dmv.colorado.gov for $60 initial fee and $25 annual renewal. Up to 7 characters are allowed.

What is the Colorado Specific Ownership Tax (SOT)?expand_more

Colorado's Specific Ownership Tax is an annual property tax on vehicles, calculated based on the vehicle's year and original taxable value. It decreases as the vehicle ages and is collected with annual registration. SOT replaces traditional personal property tax in Colorado.

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