First Regular Session | 75th General Assembly
Colorado General AssemblyA "low‑power scooter" is a self‑propelled vehicle with no more than three wheels in contact with the ground, no manual clutch, and either a cylinder capacity under 50 cubic centimeters if powered by internal combustion, or a wattage under 4,476 watts if electric‑powered.
The Department of Revenue issues identifying license plates and placards to qualified persons with disabilities to park in reserved parking spaces. To apply for an identifying license plate or placard, a DR 2219 Persons with Disabilities Parking Privileges Application must be completed and submitted to the County Motor Vehicle Office.
To be considered "disabled" and eligible for an identifying license or placard, an applicant must meet one of the following criteria as outlined in the DR 2219:
Motor vehicles that are collectors' items are registered for periods of five years. The taxes and fees imposed for each five‑year period of registration are equal to five times the annual taxes and fees that would otherwise be imposed for the registration of a motor vehicle. Visit the DMV's website for more information about other vehicle license plate types.
The Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) offers over 125 license plates types, including: military, alumni, and group license plates. Click the following link for more information on the license plate types available: Special License Plates.
At registration, the owner of a motor vehicle receives two license plates (one license plate for motorcycles) and two validating tabs. The validating tabs indicate the month and year of expiration and are affixed to the lower left (month) and right (year) corners of the rear license plate. License plates must be renewed within one month of their date of expiration (see the Vehicle Registration and Titling subsection for more information). Motor vehicle owners must notify their county motor vehicle office of ch
CDOT, the Colorado Investment Transportation Office, and its partners manage several high-occupancy vehicle and/or toll (HOV/HOT) lanes in the Denver metropolitan area and on I-70 in the mountains. These Express Lanes permit only vehicles carrying a specified number of persons (HOV) or that pay a toll (HOT).
Any traveler may use Express Lanes:
Driver record. The Colorado Division of Motor Vehicle's Investigations Unit works to investigate and prevent fraud concerning the use of driver licenses, identification cards, motor vehicle titles and registrations, and other documents issued by the division. If you have reason to believe that your motor vehicle record has been impacted by fraud, contact the Investigations Unit at 303-205-8383 or dor_investigationsunit@state.co.us.
Emissions testing of gas‑ and diesel‑powered vehicles is required when registering or selling vehicles in Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, and Jefferson counties, and in portions of Adams, Arapahoe, Larimer, and Weld counties, as shown in the Air Care Colorado program area maps. Parts of El Paso County also require diesel vehicles to obtain emissions testing prior to sale. Emissions tests for 1982 or newer motor vehicles are valid for 24 months and tests for 1981 or older motor vehicles are valid for 12 months.
Passed by Congress in 2005, the REAL ID Act authorizes the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to establish national standards for state‑issued driver licenses and identification cards. The act requires:
See the Motorcycles section for more information on licensing requirements for motorcyclists.
Affidavit of liability. A minor driver application for an instruction permit must include an affidavit of liability, signed by the parent, stepparent, or grandparent. If the minor driver is a foster child they may be exempt from providing the affidavit if they have insurance in their name or the affidavit may be signed by a foster parent, guardian, or county department of human services.
All persons operating a motor vehicle on any public street or highway must hold a valid driver license or instruction permit. The Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) administers the required physical, vision, physical aptitude, written, and driving tests. Applicants for a driver license, identification card, or instruction permit must provide proof of age, identity, and lawful presence in the United States (see the Real ID Act subsection for more information on this requirement). Driver licenses are categorized by vehicle type and by
Adult drivers. Colorado law permits regular cell phone use for voice calls. Headphones may be worn in one ear for this purpose. However, adult drivers are prohibited from manual data entry and transmission on a cell phone (i.e., to send a text message or browse the internet) while behind the wheel.
The Department of Transportation is responsible for maintaining, repairing, and plowing Colorado's state highway system, which includes interstates, U.S. highways, toll roads, and numbered state highways in Colorado, under the policy direction of the 11‑member Transportation Commission.
The Department of Revenue includes the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV), which administers the state's motor vehicle laws through four sections: Driver Control and Traffic Records; Driver License; Emissions; and Titles and Registration. Below is an overview of each DMV section. Visit the Contact Us page of the DMV website to contact any of these sections. The DOR's annual report is available
The Department of Regulatory Agencies includes the Division of Insurance and the Public Utilities Commission (PUC). The Division of Insurance regulates the insurance industry in the state, including automobile insurance and insurance agents. The PUC's Transportation Section regulates transportation ne
The Department of Public Safety includes the Colorado State Patrol, which enforces traffic laws on interstates, state highways, and county roads, among other general law enforcement responsibilities.
The Department of Public Health and Environment includes the Motor Vehicle Emissions Program within the Air Pollution Control Division, which administers programs designed to reduce motor vehicle pollution in Colorado. For more information about the state's emissions programs, see the Emissions section.