DMV honors Colorado history, announces 150th anniversary license plates now available
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)