This amendment adds funding to pay for the computer systems and staff needed to let people keep their old license plates instead of getting new ones.
Colorado2026Enacted
HB26-1053
Motor Vehicle License Plate Transfer and Emergency Planning
Last scannedAug 24, 2026, 8:22 AM
In one sentence
Starting in January 2028, this law lets car owners keep their license plates when they buy a new vehicle instead of getting new ones, and it requires the state to have an emergency plan for its licensing system.
What it does
- Removes the rule that forces people to retire old license plates in certain situations starting January 1, 2028.
- Allows car owners to move their current license plates onto a new vehicle they purchase.
- Requires the Department of Revenue to create and keep an emergency plan for its vehicle licensing services.
- Sets standards that the emergency plan must meet to protect critical operations during disruptions.
Who it affects
- Motor vehicle owners in Colorado who want to transfer their license plates.
- The Department of Revenue, which must manage licensing operations and create emergency plans.
Limits and unknowns
- The law does not take effect until January 1, 2028.
- The summary mentions 'certain circumstances' for plate retirement without listing every specific situation covered by the old rule.
Plain language
Terms to know
- Repeals
- Removes or cancels an existing law or rule so it no longer applies.
- Contingency plan
- A prepared strategy to handle unexpected problems and keep services running during a disruption.
Official record
Sources
Official summary
Effective January 1, 2028, the act repeals a requirement that requires motor-vehicle license plates to be retired and reissued in certain circumstances and authorizes the owner to transfer the plates to a new motor vehicle. The act requires the department of revenue (department) to develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive contingency plan to ensure continuity of operations and the protection of critical services in the event of a disruption in vehicle licensing operations. Standards are set for the contingency plan. The governor's office of information technology must provide the appropriate network and equipment support to the department. To implement this act, $18,170 is appropriated to the department from the Colorado DRIVES vehicle services account in the highway users tax fund. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)
Official activity
Bill history
- Governor SignedGovernor
- Sent to the GovernorGovernor
- Signed by the President of the SenateSenate
- Signed by the Speaker of the HouseHouse
- House Considered Senate Amendments - Result was to Concur - RepassHouse
- House Considered Senate Amendments - Result was to Laid Over DailyHouse
- Senate Third Reading Passed - No AmendmentsSenate
- Senate Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - CommitteeSenate
- Senate Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended to Senate Committee of the WholeSenate
- Senate Committee on Finance Refer Amended to AppropriationsSenate
- Introduced In Senate - Assigned to FinanceSenate
- House Third Reading Passed - No AmendmentsHouse
- House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee, FloorHouse
- House Committee on Appropriations Refer Amended to House Committee of the WholeHouse
- House Committee on Finance Refer Amended to AppropriationsHouse
- Introduced In House - Assigned to FinanceHouse
Changes
Amendments
4 stored
This amendment removes several sections of the bill that would have changed how license plates are retired or transferred.
This amendment removes several sections of the bill that would have changed how license plates are retired or transferred.
This amendment changes the rule so that only Colorado organizations that have been active for at least ten years can transfer their old license plates.