KRDO13 Investigates: Thousands of drivers using out-of-state license plates in Colorado. Where is the enforcement?
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) - Viewers across Southern Colorado contact KRDO13 Investigates almost daily asking the same question: why are so many drivers using out-of-state license plates?
Some believe those drivers may be avoiding Colorado vehicle registration taxes and fees. But exactly how widespread the problem is, and how often it’s enforced, remains unclear.
So KRDO13 Investigates started digging.
Previous estimates from the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) suggest roughly 92,000 vehicles may be operating in Colorado with out-of-state plates. That estimate is several years old, and it’s unclear whether the number has changed.
Colorado law requires new residents to register their vehicles within 90 days of establishing residency.
Drivers who fail to register can face penalties, including late fees and back taxes.
National comparisons show vehicle registration costs vary widely by state. One analysis estimates the average annual vehicle registration cost in Colorado at about $595 - the third highest in the country - though actual fees vary based on factors such as a vehicle’s value, age, and county taxes.
In 2022, lawmakers passed Colorado House Bill 22-1254 to close a loophole that allowed drivers to delay registering vehicles while avoiding taxes and fees. The law requires people who register late to pay prorated taxes and registration fees dating back to when the vehicle should have been registered, in addition to existing late penalties.
Legislative fiscal notes indicate the state allocated about $248,000 to the Colorado Department of Revenue to implement the law.
More recently, lawmakers passed House Bill 25-1112, allowing local governments to take a larger role in enforcing vehicle registration requirements.
But when KRDO13 Investigates asked the DMV how often the law is enforced, officials said the agency does not track back taxes or penalties collected specifically from new residents who register vehicles late.
Instead, most enforcement falls to law enforcement agencies and county motor vehicle offices.
Data from the Colorado State Patrol (CSP) shows relatively few citations statewide for drivers who fail to obtain Colorado registration within 90 days of becoming a resident:
2021: 82 citations
2022: 76 citations
2023: 80 citations
2024: 89 citations
2025: 91 citations
State Patrol officials also say driving with out-of-state plates alone is not a reason for a traffic stop. Troopers can only issue a citation for failing to register a vehicle after a driver is stopped for another violation.
During a stop, troopers must determine residency using information such as the driver’s license, statements from the driver, and other evidence gathered during the investigation.
That means it can be difficult to determine how many people may be living in Colorado while continuing to drive vehicles registered in other states.
KRDO13 Investigates has reached out to State Rep. Alex Valdez and former State Senator Kevin Priola, who both sponsored the bill. Priola did not respond, and the communications team for Valdez said they weren't able to meet the deadline. They also directed us to House Bill 25-1112.
We also asked the DMV to whether the laws are working as intended and why certain enforcement data is not tracked.
We’ve also requested updated estimates on how many vehicles may currently be operating in Colorado with out-of-state registration.
They have not answered those questions.
If you have information you believe the public needs to know, KRDO13 Investigates wants to hear from you. Tips can be submitted by emailing 13Investigates@krdo.com.
