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LAKEWOOD - Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 — Colorado, the wait is over. 

The Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles is proud to announce the state’s 150th anniversary license plates are now available to purchase on Colorado Day, Aug. 1, 2023, until July 2027.

Coloradans can purchase either license plate online at myDMV.Colorado.gov or at a county-operated motor vehicle office. The license plates will cost $8.06 per pair, in addition to local fees.

The two license plates are based on the Historic Colorado Contest’s winning designs, which were determined in a statewide competition to design, then choose the winners in two divisions — Under 13 and Over 13. More than 34,000 Coloradans voted in the contest.

“Colorado’s awe-inspiring beauty was well reflected in the hundreds of great designs submitted by talented Colorado artists as we celebrate 150 years of Colorado history,” Gov. Jared Polis said during an event announcing the contest winners in March. "I am proud to congratulate the winners whose beautiful license plates will be on vehicles across the state starting this August."

13+ Division winning design and artist

Evan Griesheimer, of Denver, won the 13+ Division of the Historic Colorado Contest with 15,697 votes or 46.13% of the total. 

Griesheimer said the inspiration for his design came from simplicity and colors of the Colorado State Flag, the Rocky Mountains and mining.

U13 Division winning design and artist
 

Calista Blaschke, of Denver, won the U13 Division of the Historic Colorado Contest with 21,633 votes or 63.58% of the total.

She said the inspiration for her design included Pikes Peak, fortune hunters, the State Bird (Lark bunting) and the State Tree (Blue spruce).

About the Historic Colorado Contest

The Historic Colorado Contest launched Sept. 19, 2022 with the goal of helping Coloradans honor and make history through license plate design, and it closed with more than 300 entries from 216 entrants. Of the 216 entrants, 133 were 13-years-old or older and these contestants submitted 215 license plate designs. The other 82 were younger than 13, and these Coloradans entered 97 submissions.

Three finalists per division were selected by a committee that included motor vehicle administrators, artists and Gov. Polis, followed by a final, public vote on the top three designs. In addition to the two $1,000 grants, winners were awarded commemorative license plates during a reveal of the Historic Colorado Contest winning designs at the State Capitol. 

Coloradans can visit DMV.Colorado.gov/HistoricColorado for more information. 

The Historic Colorado Contest was a low-cost effort to honor Colorado’s history and celebrate the 150th anniversary with a commemorative license plate. 

Media Kit

13+ Winner: Evan Griesheimer, of Denver

Inspiration: The simplicity and colors of the Colorado State Flag, the Rocky Mountains and mining

U13 Winner: Calista Blaschke, of Denver

Inspiration: Pikes Peak, fortune hunters, the State Bird (Lark bunting) and the State Tree (Blue spruce)

Adams County residents can renew driver licenses, vehicle registrations in one building

WESTMINSTER, Monday, JULY 31, 2023 — Adams County residents now have a new way to conveniently and quickly DMV in one stop.
On Monday, the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) opened the state’s newest driver license office inside the Adams County Western Services Center at 12200 Pecos St. in Westminster.

This new office creates a DMV One Stop — where state driver license and I.D. services are within walking distance of county motor vehicle services. The new partnership is a game changer, offering Adams County residents a one-stop DMV experience while providing a new place for all Coloradans to get driver licenses and identification cards. 

In Colorado, the state DMV offers licensing and identification card (I.D.) services while each county provides motor vehicle services, such as registration and license plates. Driver license offices and motor vehicle offices are rarely offered in the same building unless both are operated by a county. (The driver license office will serve all Colorado residents, the Adams County Motor Vehicle Office only serves county residents.)

“We are always looking for ways to make our services more convenient to our customers,” Colorado DMV Senior Director Electra Bustle said during a ribbon-cutting ceremony. “Adams County Clerk and Recorder’s Office and the Colorado DMV share customers and it makes sense that we would partner to provide our mutual customers a One DMV experience.”

The new driver license office, which is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, replaces one formerly operated two miles away in Northglenn. The Northglenn location closed Thursday, July 13. 

“We are excited to partner with the state DMV,” Adams County Clerk & Recorder Josh Zygielbaum said. “By having both driver license and motor vehicle services available literally under one roof, we are building in convenience for busy Adams County residents.”

While the new State driver license office at Adams County Western Services Center will serve all Coloradans, Adams County residents can get all their motor vehicle needs at the county office which is just next door. Adams County residents will need to make an appointment for driver license services but do not need one when visiting the Adams County Motor Vehicle office. 

The new office will offer all standard driver license services, such as license and I.D. card renewals, endorsements, instruction permit tests and more.
This  office is just the latest service innovation from the DMV. Whether it’s online services like renewals and instruction permit tests, vehicle registrations in under two minutes at conveniently located MV Express Kiosks or pleasant and quick service in an office, the Colorado DMV is driven to serve Colorado.

The DMV is committed to providing services for all Coloradans where they are needed most, whether it’s in-office, online or on the go. Visit DMV.Colorado.gov/Anywhere to find out how you can DMV anywhere. Yes, anywhere. 

For information about Adams County Motor Vehicle services, please visit adcogov.org/motor-vehicle.

Adams County residents will be able to renew driver licenses, vehicle registrations in one building

LAKEWOOD, Monday, JULY 10, 2023 -- Adams County residents have reason to cheer because they will soon be able to DMV in one stop.

The Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is moving its Northglenn Driver License Office two miles west to an office suite inside the Adams County Western Services Center at 12200 Pecos St. in Westminster.

The new State driver license office at Adams County Western Services Center will offer licensing services starting Monday, July 17, and will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. After midday Thursday, July 13, the DMV will no longer operate at 11900 N. Washington St. in Northglenn.

The new office will offer all driver license services, such as license and identification (I.D.) card renewals, endorsements, instruction permit tests and more.

While the new driver license office will serve all Coloradans, its convenient location makes it a DMV One Stop for Adams County residents. A DMV One Stop is when state driver license and identification services are within walking distance of county motor vehicle services.

In Colorado, the state DMV offers licensing and I.D. card services while each county provides motor vehicle services, such as registration and license plates, to their residents. Driver license offices and motor vehicle offices are rarely offered in the same building unless both are operated by a county.

The move will provide tremendous service benefits to Adams County residents, while still ensuring all Coloradans have convenient access to licensing services.

This office is just the latest service innovation from the DMV. Whether it’s online services like renewals and instruction permit tests, vehicle registrations in under two minutes at conveniently located MV Express Kiosks or pleasant and quick service in an office, the Colorado DMV is driven to serve Colorado.

The DMV is committed to providing services for all Coloradans where they are needed most, whether it’s in-office, online or on the go. Visit DMV.Colorado.gov/Anywhere to find out how you can DMV anywhere. Yes, anywhere. 

For information about Adams County Motor Vehicle Services, please visit adcogov.org/motor-vehicle.
 

DENVER, Friday, June 2, 2023 — Celebrating the Colorado Road and Community Safety Act’s (CO-RCSA) 10 year anniversary, Gov. Jared Polis and the Division of Motor Vehicles announced that all 36 State driver license offices now offer licensing services to undocumented residents on Friday at the History Colorado Center in Denver.

“Here in Colorado, we know that our immigrants strengthen the fabric of who we are,” Gov. Polis said. “With the bipartisan SB251, over 250,000 Coloradans have been able to get their driver licenses and insurance, making all of us safer on the roads and helping reduce automobile insurance rates for everyone and we are proud to continue building on this important work today and expand access to all DMV locations.” 

The bill, which was signed into law on June 5, 2013 by then Gov. John Hickenlooper, created a self-funded program that enabled undocumented residents and international students to legally obtain a Colorado driver license or identification card. 

“Ten years ago, we signed the Colorado Road and Community Safety Act into law to empower new Coloradans — like international students and immigrants — to drive their families to work, school, medical appointments and the supermarket,” Sen. Hickenlooper said from Washington, D.C. “Expanding where the program is offered will make our roads safer and cut red tape for folks working toward their American dream.”

Others in attendance agreed, and DMV Senior Director Electra Bustle said the legislation has made Colorado roads safer.

“The DMV’s mission is to provide motor vehicle, driver and identity services that promote public safety, trust and confidence, and having trained and licensed drivers on our roads is critical,” Bustle said. “This legislation provided an opportunity for all Coloradoans to get properly trained, credentialed and insured, and since 2013 the DMV has issued 252,396 driver licenses, ID cards and instruction permits under the CO-RCSA. We are also excited to expand this service to all of our State driver license offices making it more convenient for these customers.”

Looking back on the 10 year anniversary, many described the legislation’s impact on Colorado’s undocumented residents' daily lives as a game changer.

“Being able to obtain a driver license was a step toward greater security on our roads and in our communities,” said Evelyn Rodriguez, a community leader with Grupo Mayas Pueblo. “It has given me the confidence to drive my kids to school, to the doctor, to sports, and in my daily life. I was able to register my car to my own name and obtain car insurance and now I drive without fear.” 

Originally the DMV offered CO-RCSA services at just four driver license offices — Colorado Springs, Grand Junction, Lakewood and Lakewood Westgate, but has since added the services to all 36 DMV offices  across the state as well as DMV2GO this year. The most recent driver license offices to offer are Canon City, Delta, Lakewood, Meeker,  Salida and Steamboat Springs. All state driver license offices now offer CO-RCSA services. 

The DMV also announced a move to streamline the program’s nomenclature and better align terminology with other states. The DMV has started calling credentials issued under the CO-RCSA program as “standard” driver licenses and ID cards since they are not REAL ID compliant.

“As a member of the I Drive Coalition, a group of organizations and community leaders across the state that have been working to ensure that all Coloradans, regardless of status, have access to a license or ID, I am thrilled to be celebrating the 10th anniversary of the law and implementation of the standard license,” said Nancy Díaz, the founder of Lamar Unidos. “Today, over 200,000 people have managed to obtain their driver license or permit through this program and our streets and highways are safer. The work of the I Drive Coalition continues, now looking to improve the license program and ensure equity for all beneficiaries.”

Undocumented residents can schedule an appointment by calling 303-205-2335 or by visiting DMV.Colorado.gov/AppointmentScheduling. 

The DMV works closely with the I Drive Coalition, a collection of nonprofit organizations throughout the Centennial State, helping to ensure Coloradans seeking a standard license or ID card have the resources needed to be issued a credential. These nonprofit groups help schedule appointments free of charge and ensure applicants have the documents needed to start the licensing process. A list of these nonprofit organizations is at DMV.Colorado.gov/nonprofit-co-rcsa-partners. 

By expanding the number of offices offering CO-RCSA services, more Coloradans have better access to training and licensing services, helping to ensure all Colorado motorists are licensed and able to obtain motor vehicle insurance. This will help make driving safer for all Coloradans.

Visit DMV.Colorado.gov for more information on Colorado Road and Community Safety Act services.

The DMV is committed to providing services for all Coloradans where they are needed most, whether it’s in-office, online or on the go. Visit DMV.Colorado.gov/Anywhere to find out how you can DMV anywhere. Yes, anywhere. 

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Event B-Roll

Event Photos

AAMVA also honors State’s marketing, writing and website

LAKEWOOD, Friday, May 5 — The Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles continues to lead DMVs throughout the world in customer service, communications and its website according to the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA), which has members in all U.S. states, Guam, and every province and territory in Canada.

The DMV received five awards on Wednesday at AAMVA’s 2023 Region 4 Conference in Phoenix, Arizona and will receive four more honors at the association’s 2023 Annual International Conference in September at Madison, Wisconsin.

In total, the DMV will receive nine awards for its efforts to better serve all Coloradans. The winning efforts are:

International and regional awards in Customer Convenience for DMV2GO, which  can set up pop-up and mobile driver license offices throughout the state, including rural areas where Coloradans might not have convenient access to DMV services. DMV2GO offers Coloradans the same services as a standard driver license office, except  Driving Knowledge tests and endorsement exams. DMV2GO also offers access to online vehicle registration and driver record services as well.
International and regional communications awards for the DMV’s website, DMV.Colorado.gov, which is the most visited state agency website in Colorado with 5.9 million unique visitors and a total of 9.7 million sessions in 2022. All of the DMV’s web pages have a plug-in which allows users to translate web pages into their preferred language — with more than 150 languages available. The website also makes it easy for customers to complete various DMV services online. 
International and regional communications awards in informative writing  for the DMV2GO reveal press release, which was written clearly and concisely and featured photos, b-roll and a fact sheet. The press release was published or covered by over 18 news outlets, when only one local news outlet was able to attend the reveal event in Pagosa Springs.
International award for overall communications campaign for "DMV Anywhere. Yes, Anywhere." Marketing Campaign. The multifaceted, bi-lingual marketing campaign focused on encouraging people to use DMV online services. The campaign focused on odd times or locations that Coloradans could actually DMV.
Regional award in innovative use of technology for Pocketalk Plus, which gives each  state DMV office the ability to communicate with customers in more than 80 languages. The devices provide two-way translation and interpretation in real time, and give the DMV the ability to communicate in languages less common than English and Spanish.
Regional award in advertising for the DMV recruiting video, which the DMV used to help recruit civil servants during a historically tight labor market in 2022.
“I am humbled that our work was so well regarded by AAMVA and colleagues from other states and provinces,” DMV Senior Director Electra Bustle said. “We have an incredibly talented team that works hard each and every day to not only serve Colorado, but proactively seeks ways that we can make it easier and more convenient to DMV, whether that’s online, in an office or on the go.”

In recent years, the DMV has received several awards for improvements to customer service including honors the Colorado Driver Handbook, digital ID acceptance, writing, advertising and improving the customer experience.

"These awards really highlight some of the great innovations taking place at the Colorado DMV," said Mark Ferrandino Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Revenue, which oversees the DMV. "Our great DMV team has worked really hard to roll out new services that allow Coloradans to easily access DMV services in a variety of ways, challenging the national stereotype of DMVs as being slow or archaic.  I am so proud of our DMV team who continues to create a nimble and modern DMV that puts customers first."

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Coloradans can DMV anywhere. Yes, anywhere. Online, in-office or on the go, Coloradans have more options than ever before. Discover all the ways to DMV at DMV.Colorado.gov/Anywhere.
 

LAKEWOOD, Monday April 24 — The State of Colorado and Japan have agreed to simplify the process of issuing driver licenses to those who are licensed to drive on the other side of the road and planet.

The Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles is pleased to announce that it signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Consulate-General of Japan in Denver on Monday, April 24 at its main office in Lakewood.

The agreement, effective April 24, enables those with valid Japan or Colorado driver licenses, who meet all other requirements, to obtain a driver license in the corresponding country without having to take the driving or written tests. The DMV conducted a thorough analysis to confirm that Japan’s written and driving tests were as stringent as Colorado’s testing requirements.

The Japanese population in Colorado is estimated to be about 4,900 people, and Japan is Colorado’s 6th largest trading partner. 

Colorado has similar agreements with Canada, France, Germany, South Korea and Taiwan.

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The DMV is committed to providing services for all Coloradans where they are needed most, whether it’s in-office, online or on the go. Visit DMV.Colorado.gov/Anywhere to find out how you can DMV anywhere. Yes, anywhere. 
 

The Office of the State Architect (OSA) has developed a geographical information system (GIS) map

Aug.

The Capitol is open Monday-Friday, 7:30-5:00.

(May 25, 2022) The Colorado Department of Public Safety mourns the loss o