What is a License Plate Replacement in Colorado?
A replacement reissues one or both physical license plates after loss, theft, damage, or loss of legibility. The Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles manages the process according to C.R.S. § 42-3-205, but the operation is carried out by county motor vehicle offices.
- Conditions prompting replacement include a lost license plate, stolen license plate, destroyed or damaged license plate, illegible license plate, surrender of an out-of-state license plate upon establishing residency in Colorado, and expiration of a license plate upon change of ownership according to the License Plate Reissue Program.
- Replacement is not an annual registration renewal. The replacement fee covers only new license plate materials and tabs; renewal cycle fees (property tax, road safety surcharge, bridge safety surcharge) do not apply to a standalone replacement.
- Colorado by default issues a new license plate for standard replacements. Retaining the old number requires applying for a personalized license plate for an additional one-time fee of $60 plus $25 annually.
- Colorado is a two-plate state according to C.R.S. § 42-3-202. A standard embossed set (front and rear) is replaced as a pair; motorcycles and trailers are replaced with a single rear license plate.
When Do You Need to Replace Your Colorado License Plate?
Owners must act when a license plate is lost, stolen, destroyed, damaged, or too faded to read. Affidavit DR 2283, filed according to C.R.S. § 42-3-205, officially documents the reason.
- A police report is required for stolen license plates. For lost license plates, a copy of a filed report may be required at the county’s discretion. Form DR 2283 clearly distinguishes these two categories.
- Colorado does not set a specific deadline for replacing a damaged or illegible license plate, but C.R.S. § 42-3-202 requires each license plate to remain clearly legible at all times. Driving with an illegible license plate risks a fine.
- New residents must register within 90 days of establishing residency in Colorado, according to C.R.S. § 42-3-112. Vehicles purchased by current residents have a 60-day window from the date of sale.
How to Get a Replacement License Plate in Colorado
Gather your current registration receipt, photo ID, and license plate number before choosing a channel. If the license plate was stolen, complete the police report mentioned in the conditions prompting replacement before submitting DR 2283.
- Visit your county motor vehicle office with a completed affidavit DR 2283, registration receipt, and proof of insurance. Standard embossed license plates are printed and mailed within three business days of payment; counties with standard green and white license plates may issue them on-site.
- The online channel via myDMV handles most replacement orders. Log in, select Vehicle Services, then Replace License Plates. Payment is made by credit card; license plates are mailed via USPS and may take two to six weeks for delivery.
- Damaged license plates you still possess should be surrendered at the county office. If replacing online, the county may ask you to return the old license plate separately. Below is the online path covering portal details.
Can You Replace a Colorado License Plate Online?
Yes. Colorado accepts online license plate replacements through the myDMV portal. The portal covers standard, designer, and most specialty license plates, although plates requiring physical documentation (military verification, certain group specialty certificates) must go through the county motor vehicle office.
After logging in, select the Vehicle Services tab and choose Replace License Plates. Credit card payment is accepted; a portal convenience fee applies (typically $0.75 plus 2.25% of the transaction). License plates are printed within three business days and mailed via USPS, taking two to six weeks for delivery as noted currently.
For license plates the portal cannot process, visit your county motor vehicle office with affidavit DR 2283 and supporting documents. The mail alternative requires:
- A completed Form DR 2283 with the owner’s signature
- Payment by check or money order
- A copy of the police report if the license plate was stolen
Use myDMV for the fastest start; contact the county office when the portal flags your license plate type as ineligible.
How Much is License Plate Replacement in Colorado?
The basic cost of materials is straightforward, but a $4.00 clerk hire fee is added to each transaction, and tab fees accumulate. The Colorado DMV fee schedule breaks down each component.
- A standard embossed set (two license plates) costs $8.31 for materials: license plates $7.38, year tab $0.59, month tab $0.55. Add the $4.00 clerk hire fee for a total at the counter of about $12.31.
- Vehicles with a single license plate (motorcycles, trailers) pay less for the plate itself but incur the same tab and clerk fees. An embossed motorcycle plate costs $4.70 for the plate itself, plus $0.59, $0.55, and $4.00.
- Owners wishing to retain their old number must apply for a personalized license plate: a one-time personalization fee of $60.00 in addition to materials, plus $25.00 at each annual renewal. Standard replacement with a new number avoids both fees.
- Colorado does not charge additional county-level replacement fees beyond the statewide clerk hire fee. Credit card payment through the myDMV portal or at county offices adds a processing fee, which varies by county, typically $0.75 plus 2.25%.