Colorado § 42-3-259 - Electric vehicle license plates.
Full text of Colorado Colorado Revised Statutes § 42-3-259 — Electric vehicle license plates., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 42-3-259. Electric vehicle license plates.
(1) The electric vehicle license plate is hereby established. On or after January 1, 2022, the department shall design the plate to indicate that the motor vehicle to which the plate is attached is an electric motor vehicle.
(2) (a) Upon registering an electric motor vehicle, the department shall issue electric vehicle license plates for the motor vehicle unless the owner elects to use different license plates in accordance with subsection (2)(b) of this section. An owner that is issued the plates shall display the plates on the electric motor vehicle in accordance with section 42-3-202.
(b) The owner of the electric motor vehicle may elect to use different license plates issued under this article 3 or the rules promulgated under this article 3, not including the license plates issued in accordance with section 42-3-203. If this article 3 or the rules promulgated under this article 3 require different license plates to be issued for a motor vehicle, the department shall issue the different license plates for the motor vehicle. If an electric motor vehicle is not issued electric vehicle license plates, the owner shall use the decal issued in section 42-3-304 (25) to identify the electric motor vehicle.
(3) Except as provided in section 42-3-304 (25), the amount of the taxes and fees for the electric vehicle license plates issued under this section is the same as the amount of the taxes and fees for regular motor vehicle license plates.
(4) An owner may apply for personalized electric vehicle license plates. Upon payment of the additional fee required by section 42-3-211 (6)(a) for personalized license plates, the department may issue the plates if the applicant complies with section 42-3-211. If an applicant has existing personalized license plates for a motor vehicle, the applicant may transfer the combination of letters or numbers to a new set of electric vehicle license plates for the electric motor vehicle upon paying the fee required by section 42-3-211 (6)(a) and upon turning in the existing plates to the department. An owner that has obtained personalized license plates under this subsection (4) must pay the annual fee imposed by section 42-3-211 (6)(b) for renewal of the personalized plates. The fees under this subsection (4) are in addition to all other applicable taxes and fees.
Source: L. 2021: Entire section added, (HB 21-1141), ch. 339, p. 2197, § 4, effective September 7.
Cross references: For the legislative declaration in HB 21-1141, see section 1 of chapter 339, Session Laws of Colorado 2021.
Source: official Colorado text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Colorado § 42-3-259
What does Colorado Revised Statutes § 42-3-259 cover?
Section 42-3-259 ("Electric vehicle license plates.") is part of the Colorado Revised Statutes, the codified statutory law of Colorado. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Colorado § 42-3-259?
A common citation format is "Colorado Revised Statutes § 42-3-259" (Colorado). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Colorado law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Colorado official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Colorado attorney.
How does Colorado § 42-3-259 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Colorado can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Colorado.