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Second Regular Session
Seventy-fifth General Assembly
STATE OF COLORADO
REENGROSSED
This Version Includes All Amendments
Adopted in the House of Introduction
LLS NO. 26-0527.01 Jery Payne x2157 HOUSE BILL 26-1053
House Committees Senate Committees
Finance
Appropriations
A BILL FOR AN ACT
CONCERNING THE ADMINISTRATION OF DUTIES RELATED TO THE101
OWNERSHIP OF A VEHICLE, AND, IN CONNECTION THEREWITH,102
MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.103
Bill Summary
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does
not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill
passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that
applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at
http://leg.colorado.gov.)
Under current law, an owner of a vehicle that pays specific
ownership tax, except intrastate commercial carriers, have their license
plates retired and are reissued new plates when the vehicle's ownership
is transferred. The bill repeals this requirement and authorizes the owner
to transfer the plates to a new motor vehicle.
HOUSE
3rd Reading Unamended
March 16, 2026
HOUSE
Amended 2nd Reading
March 13, 2026
HOUSE SPONSORSHIP
Mauro, Caldwell, Clifford, Duran, Garcia Sander, Keltie, Lindsay, McCluskie, Nguyen,
Rutinel, Weinberg, Winter T.
SENATE SPONSORSHIP
Pelton B. and Wallace,
Shading denotes HOUSE amendment. Double underlining denotes SENATE amendment.
Capital letters or bold & italic numbers indicate new material to be added to existing law.
Dashes through the words or numbers indicate deletions from existing law.
Current law provides for an electronic vehicle registration and
titling system (electronic system). The bill requires the department of
revenue (department) to develop an application programming interface
for this electronic system. The department must provide the application
programming interface to its authorized agents. An authorized agent may
use this interface or use the agent's own interface system. The department
may adopt rules governing the authorized agent's use of such an interface
with the electronic system.
The bill requires the 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.
Current law provides for the keep Colorado wild pass, which
allows people to obtain a Colorado parks pass for a motor vehicle for a
reduced fee when registering the motor vehicle. The bill requires the
authorized agent of the department to retain 3.33% of the fee.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:1
SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 42-3-115, amend2
(5)(a); and repeal (5)(b) and (5)(d) as follows:3
42-3-115. Registration upon transfer - rules - definitions.4
(5) (a) Except as otherwise provided in subsections (5)(b), (5)(c),5
and (5)(d) of this section, on and after January 1, 2022, whenever the6
owner of a motor vehicle that is Class C personal property, as described7
in section 42-3-106 (2)(c), transfers or assigns the owner's title or interest,8
the number plates issued to the owner for the vehicle expire and shall not9
be transferred by the department to any other motor vehicle. Except as10
otherwise provided in subsection (5)(d) of this section, whenever the11
owner of a motor vehicle that is Class B personal property, as described12
in section 42-3-106 (2)(b); Class D personal property, as described in13
section 42-3-106 (2)(d); or Class F personal property, as described in14
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section 42-3-106 (2)(e), transfers or assigns the owner's title or interest,1
the number plates issued to the owner for the vehicle expire and shall not2
be transferred by the department to any other motor vehicle. An owner of3
a motor vehicle whose number plates expire due to the operation of this4
subsection (5)(a) who wishes to retain the same combination of letters or5
numbers displayed on the expired license plates retains the priority right6
to use the combination and may, after surrendering the expired plates to7
the department, apply for personalized license plates with the8
combination in the manner specified in section 42-3-211 when registering9
another motor vehicle U PON REQUEST OF THE OWNER OF A MOTOR10
VEHICLE, THE DEPARTMENT MAY TRANSFER A NUMBER PLATE FROM ONE11
MOTOR VEHICLE TO ANOTHER MOTOR VEHICLE IF AT LEAST ONE PERSON IS12
LISTED AS AN OWNER ON THE CERTIFICATE OF TITLE FOR EACH MOTOR13
VEHICLE.14
(b) Subsection (5)(a) of this section does not apply to the transfer15
or assignment of an owner's title or interest in Class B, Class C, and Class16
D personal property that has number plates:17
(I) That are personalized license plates issued in accordance with18
section 42-3-211, distinctive special license plates, group special license19
plates, or special alumni license plates issued in accordance with section20
42-3-214; or21
(II) That have a valuable registration number that has been22
reserved for use under the "Laura Hershey Disability Support Act", part23
2 of article 88 of title 8.24
(d) Subsection (5)(a) of this section does not apply to number25
plates issued to a fleet operator that are easily legible and in good26
condition, and a fleet operator may transfer such number plates from one27
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fleet vehicle to another when the fleet operator transfers or assigns the1
owner's title or interest in the fleet vehicle from which the number plates2
are being transferred.3
SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 42-1-234, add (6) as4
follows:5
42-1-234. Electronic vehicle registration and titling - electronic6
transmission of vehicle lien information - authority - rules - report -7
electronic transactions fund - gifts, grants, and donations - notice to8
revisor of statutes - repeal.9
(6) (a) ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2027, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL10
DEVELOP AN INTERFACE SYSTEM TO ALLOW FOR AN AUTHORIZED AGENT11
TO USE AN APPLICATION PROGRAMMING INTERFACE FOR THE SYSTEM12
CREATED PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION (1)(a) OF THIS SECTION.13
(b) (I) ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2027, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL14
PROVIDE ACCESS TO AN APPLICATION PROGRAMMING INTERFACE FOR THE15
SYSTEM CREATED PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION (1)(a) OF THIS SECTION THAT16
AN AUTHORIZED AGENT MAY USE WITH THE SYSTEM.17
(II) A N AUTHORIZED AGENT MAY ADOPT THE APPLICATION18
PROGRAMMING INTERFACE PROVIDED BY THE DEPARTMENT PURSUANT TO19
SUBSECTION (6)(b)(I) OF THIS SECTION OR PRODUCE AND USE AN20
INTERFACE SYSTEM DEVELOPED AND IMPLEMENTED BY THE AUTHORIZED21
AGENT. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL DEVELOP ITS INTERFACE SYSTEM IN A22
MANNER THAT WILL INTERFACE ANY APPLICATION PROGRAMMING23
INTERFACE ADOPTED BY THE AUTHORIZED AGENT.24
(c) T HE DEPARTMENT MAY ADOPT RULES NECESSARY FOR THE25
IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS SECTION. THE RULES MAY:26
(I) REGULATE THE ROLES AND INTERFACE SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS27
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FOR APPLICATION PROGRAMMING INTERFACES;1
(II) SET STANDARDS OF COMPATIBILITY WITH INTERFACE SYSTEMS2
AND CROSS-AGENCY INTEGRATION; OR3
(III) S ET STANDARDS FOR SECURE TRANSFER OF DATA AND4
INFORMATION.5
SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 42-1-238 as6
follows:7
42-1-238. Comprehensive contingency plan - rules - repeal.8
(1) (a) T HE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE SHALL DEVELOP ,9
IMPLEMENT, AND MAINTAIN A COMPREHENSIVE CONTINGENCY PLAN TO10
ENSURE CONTINUITY OF OPERATIONS AND THE PROTECTION OF CRITICAL11
SERVICES IN THE EVENT OF A DISRUPTION IN VEHICLE LICENSING12
OPERATIONS.13
(b) (I) T HE DEPARTMENT SHALL IMPLEMENT THE CONTINGENCY14
PLAN REQUIRED IN SUBSECTION (1)(a) OF THIS SECTION ON OR BEFORE15
DECEMBER 31, 2027.16
(II) THIS SUBSECTION (1)(b) IS REPEALED, EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2029. 17
(2) T O COMPLY WITH THIS SECTION , THE CONTINGENCY PLAN18
MUST:19
(a) I DENTIFY THE FUNCTIONS THAT ARE CRITICAL TO VEHICLE20
LICENSING OPERATIONS AND THE RESOURCES REQUIRED TO SUPPORT21
THEM;22
(b) E STABLISH PROCEDURES FOR BACKUP , RECOVERY , AND23
RECONSTITUTION OF SYSTEMS AND SERVICES;24
(c) D ESIGNATE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES DURING25
CONTINGENCY OPERATIONS;26
(d) IDENTIFY ALTERNATE PROCESSING SITES DURING CONTINGENCY27
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OPERATIONS;1
(e) BE TESTED AND UPDATED ANNUALLY OR UPON CHANGES TO2
CRITICAL FUNCTIONS AND THE SYSTEMS THAT PROVIDE AND SUPPORT3
CRITICAL FUNCTIONS;4
(f) B E ANNUALLY REVIEWED AND , WHEN HELPFUL , ENHANCED;5
AND6
(g) B E ESTABLISHED THROUGH CONSULTATION WITH ,7
CONSIDERATION OF , RECOMMENDATIONS BY , AND UNANIMOUS8
ACCEPTANCE FROM STAKEHOLDERS THAT INCLUDE:9
(I) AN ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY CLERKS IN COLORADO THAT HAS10
EXISTED AND HAS BEEN ACTIVE FOR AT LEAST TEN YEARS; AND11
(II) T HE GOVERNOR 'S OFFICE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY12
CREATED IN SECTION 24-37.5-103.13
(3) THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SHALL14
PROVIDE THE APPROPRIATE NETWORK AND EQUIPMENT SUPPORT TO THE15
DEPARTMENT.16
(4) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ADOPT RULES NECESSARY FOR THE17
IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS SECTION.18
SECTION 4. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 24-37.5-105, amend19
(3)(c) and (3)(d); and add (3)(e) as follows:20
24-37.5-105. Office - roles - responsibilities - state search21
interface - rules - legislative declaration - definitions.22
(3) The office shall:23
(c) Assist the joint technology committee as necessary to facilitate24
the committee's oversight of the office; and25
(d) Establish, maintain, and keep an inventory of information26
technology owned by or held in trust for every state agency; AND27
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(e) PROVIDE THE SUPPORT REQUIRED BY SECTION 42-1-238 (3).1
2
SECTION 5. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 42-3-254, amend3
(4.5) as follows:4
42-3-254. Special plates - Colorado professional fire fighters5
- definition.6
(4.5) Notwithstanding section 42-3-115 (5)(b)(I) SECTION7
42-3-115 (5)(a), whenever a person who has been issued the Colorado8
professional fire fighters license plate transfers or assigns the person's9
title or interest in a motorcycle, passenger car, truck, or noncommercial10
or recreational motor vehicle upon which the license plate is affixed, the11
license plate expires and the department shall not transfer the license plate12
to another motor vehicle. A person whose license plate expires due to the13
operation of this subsection (4.5) may apply again for the Colorado14
professional fire fighters license plate if the person pays the taxes and15
fees required under this section and fulfills the other requirements in this16
section.17
SECTION 6. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 42-3-211, amend18
(9)(a) as follows:19
42-3-211. Issuance of personalized plates authorized.20
(9) (a) A person who has been issued personalized license plates21
pursuant to this section section 42-3-115 (5)(a), or section 42-3-206.522
may retain the unique combination of letters or numbers of such plate,23
notwithstanding that the person no longer has a registered motor vehicle,24
if the person pays an annual fee of twenty-five dollars, which shall be25
transferred CREDITED to the highway users tax fund.26
SECTION 7. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 42-3-301, amend27
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(2)(a) as follows:1
42-3-301. License plate cash fund - license plate fees - repeal.2
(2) (a) The fees imposed pursuant to subsection (1) of this section3
are limited to the amount necessary to recover the costs of the production4
and distribution of any license plates, decals, or validating tabs issued5
pursuant to this article 3 including additional production and distribution6
resulting from the enactment of section 42-3-115 (5)(a) by Senate Bill7
21-069, enacted in 2021, and the related support functions provided to the8
department of revenue by the division. The correctional industries9
advisory committee, established pursuant to section 17-24-104 (2), shall10
annually review and recommend to the director of the division the11
amounts of the fees to be imposed pursuant to subsection (1) of this12
section. The director of the division, in cooperation and consultation with13
the department of revenue and the office of state planning and budgeting,14
shall annually establish the amounts of the fees imposed pursuant to15
subsection (1) of this section to recover the division's costs pursuant to16
this subsection (2).17
SECTION 8. Appropriation. (1) For the 2026-27 state fiscal18
year, $18,170 is appropriated to the department of revenue. This19
appropriation is from the Colorado DRIVES vehicle services account in20
the highway users tax fund created in section 42-1-211 (2), C.R.S. To21
implement this act, the department may use this appropriation as follows:22
(a) $13,520 for DRIVES maintenance and support; 23
(b) $1,148 for use by the division of motor vehicles for personal24
services related to vehicle services; 25
(c) $1,558 for use by the executive director's office for personal26
services related to administration and support; and27
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(d) $1,944 for payments to OIT.1
SECTION 9. Act subject to petition - effective date. Sections2
42-3-115, Colorado Revised Statutes, as amended in section 1 of this act,3
42-3-254, Colorado Revised Statutes, as amended in section 5 of4
this act, 42-3-211, Colorado Revised Statutes, as amended in section 6 of5
this act, and 42-3-301, Colorado Revised Statutes, as amended in section6
7 of this act, take effect January 1, 2028, and the remainder of this act7
takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the expiration of the8
ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general assembly; except9
that, if a referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 1 (3) of article V10
of the state constitution against this act or an item, section, or part of this11
act within the ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general12
assembly, then the act, item, section, or part will not take effect unless13
approved by the people at the general election to be held in November14
2026 and, in such case, will take effect on the date of the official15
declaration of the vote thereon by the governor; except that sections16
42-3-115, Colorado Revised Statutes, as amended in section 1 of this act,17
42-3-254, Colorado Revised Statutes, as amended in section 5 of18
this act, 42-3-211, Colorado Revised Statutes, as amended in section 6 of19
this act, and 42-3-301, Colorado Revised Statutes, as amended in section20
7 of this act, take effect January 1, 2028.21
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