Colorado § 42-3-255 - Special plates - support foster families.

Full text of Colorado Colorado Revised Statutes § 42-3-255 — Special plates - support foster families., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 42-3-255. Special plates - support foster families.

(1) On or after January 1, 2022, or when the department is able to issue the plates, the department shall issue special license plates to qualified applicants in accordance with this section for motorcycles, passenger cars, trucks, or noncommercial or recreational motor vehicles that do not exceed sixteen thousand pounds empty weight.

(2) (a) There is hereby established the support foster families license plate.

(b) The department shall use a design from Foster Source, registered as a nonprofit organization under section 26 U.S.C. sec. 501 (c), but the design must conform to department standards and be approved by the department.

(3) (a) At least once every five years, the department shall designate an organization to qualify applicants to be issued the support foster families license plate. The organization must:

(I) Be registered as a nonprofit organization under 26 U.S.C. sec. 501 (c);

(II) Be headquartered in Colorado;

(III) Have been in existence for at least four years;

(IV) Have been founded by foster parents or former foster parents;

(V) Have at least one partnership with a Colorado county or city and county; and

(VI) Provide services to and support for foster care families in Colorado.

(b) A person may apply for a support foster families license plate if the person pays the taxes and fees required under this section and provides to the department or an authorized agent a certificate issued by the organization designated under subsection (3)(a) of this section confirming that the applicant has made a donation to the organization. The organization may establish a minimum donation amount to qualify for the license plate. The organization shall use each donation to support foster care families in Colorado.

(c) To qualify applicants to have a support foster families license plate, the organization designated under subsection (3)(a) of this section must file with the department an annual statement verifying that it is a nonprofit organization.

(4) The amount of the taxes and fees for special license plates issued under this section is the same as the amount of the taxes and fees for regular motor vehicle license plates; except that the department shall collect an additional one-time fee of twenty-five dollars for issuance or replacement of the license plates. The department shall transmit the additional one-time fee to the state treasurer, who shall credit the fee to the highway users tax fund created in section 43-4-201.

(5) A person may apply for personalized support foster families license plates. Upon payment of the additional fee required by section 42-3-211 (6)(a) for personalized license plates, the department shall 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 support foster families license plates for the vehicle after paying the fee required by section 42-3-211 (6)(a) and turning in the existing plates to the department. A person who obtains personalized license plates under this subsection (5) must pay the annual fee imposed by section 42-3-211 (6)(b) for renewal of the personalized plates. The fees imposed under this subsection (5) are in addition to all other applicable taxes and fees.

Source: L. 2021: Entire section added, (HB 21-1073), ch. 345, p. 2246, § 1, effective September 7.

Source: official Colorado text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Colorado § 42-3-255

What does Colorado Revised Statutes § 42-3-255 cover?

Section 42-3-255 ("Special plates - support foster families.") 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 § 42-3-255?

A common citation format is "Colorado Revised Statutes § 42-3-255" (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 § 42-3-255 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.