Colorado requires most vehicles to display both front and rear license plates and enforces specific rules regarding plate visibility, mounting, lighting, and registration tabs. While many drivers focus on registration and renewal requirements, violations involving improperly displayed plates, obscured tabs, or illegal plate covers can also result in citations.
Colorado Is a Two-Plate State
Colorado requires standard passenger vehicles to display two license plates — one mounted on the front of the vehicle and one on the rear.
The front plate must be attached to the exterior front portion of the vehicle using an approved mounting location. Displaying the plate inside the windshield, on the dashboard, or elsewhere inside the vehicle does not satisfy Colorado law.
Certain vehicle types, such as motorcycles, follow different plate-display requirements, but most passenger vehicles must display both plates at all times.
Proper Plate Mounting Requirements
Both license plates must be securely attached to the vehicle and positioned so they remain clearly visible.
Colorado law generally requires plates to be:
- Mounted horizontally
- Clearly legible
- Securely fastened
- Free from excessive damage
- Visible from normal viewing angles
Drivers should periodically check plate brackets and mounting hardware to ensure plates remain firmly attached and readable.
License Plate Covers and Visibility Rules
Colorado prohibits any plate cover that interferes with the readability of a license plate.
This includes:
- Tinted covers
- Smoked covers
- Colored covers
- Reflective covers
- Covers that create glare
- Covers that interfere with electronic plate readers
Even clear covers may result in enforcement if they reduce visibility under certain lighting conditions or make the plate difficult to read.
Because law enforcement agencies increasingly rely on automated plate-reading technology, visibility standards are often interpreted strictly.
License Plate Frames
License plate frames are allowed in Colorado, but they cannot obscure any required information displayed on the plate.
A compliant frame must not cover:
- Plate numbers or letters
- Registration tabs
- Validation stickers
- Expiration information
Frames that partially cover corner tabs or registration decals are among the most common plate-related violations.
When selecting a frame, choose one that leaves all identifying information fully visible.
Registration Tabs and Validation Stickers
Colorado issues registration tabs that indicate the vehicle’s registration period.
These tabs must remain:
- Properly affixed
- Clearly visible
- Undamaged
- Unobstructed by frames or accessories
Drivers should replace damaged or missing tabs promptly through their county motor vehicle office.
Rear License Plate Illumination
Colorado requires rear license plates to be illuminated whenever vehicle headlights are operating.
The plate must be lit by a white light that allows it to be read from at least 50 feet away.
Common violations include:
- Burned-out plate bulbs
- Broken housings
- Wiring failures
- Aftermarket lighting that reduces visibility
A non-functioning plate light may lead to a traffic stop even if the registration itself is current.
What Counts as Plate Obstruction?
Colorado law prohibits anything that makes a license plate difficult to identify or read.
Examples include:
- Tinted plate covers
- Decorative covers
- Frames covering tabs or characters
- Dirt or mud obscuring numbers
- Snow covering the plate
- Anti-camera sprays or coatings
- Stickers placed over plate characters
Drivers are responsible for keeping both front and rear plates visible and legible at all times.
Altering a Colorado License Plate
License plates may not be modified, altered, or defaced.
Prohibited modifications include:
- Painting the plate
- Bending characters
- Adding unauthorized decals
- Drilling through numbers or letters
- Applying reflective materials
If a plate becomes damaged or unreadable, the proper solution is replacement through the county motor vehicle office rather than repair.
Common Colorado Plate Violations
Some of the most frequently cited plate-related violations include:
- Missing front license plate
- Obstructed registration tabs
- Illegal plate covers
- Missing rear plate light
- Illegible plates
- Improper mounting
- Damaged or altered plates
Many of these violations are avoidable with routine vehicle inspections and proper maintenance.
Penalties for License Plate Violations
Colorado plate violations are generally treated as traffic infractions.
Penalties vary by jurisdiction and may depend on:
- The nature of the violation
- Whether the issue is corrected promptly
- Prior violations
- Local court schedules
In some cases, drivers may receive a correctable citation requiring proof that the issue has been fixed.