NEW LICENSE PLATES FOR COLORADO
by Tom Boyd (TNS 761-L)
For the first time since 1977, Colorado is issuing all new license plates. Between now and the end of 2003, all of Colorado's old plates will be replaced. This brings back a lot of memories from my younger years when plates were changed every year. Unfortunately, I was not an active collector back then, but Dad would always point out the article in the newspaper announcing and describing the new plates for the coming year. Usually there was a picture, but it was only in black and white. This was just enough to pique our curiosity and make us want to get a look at the new plates. After January 1 rolled around, we would be on the lookout for the new plates as they showed up on the road and eagerly waited for our own new plates to arrive in the mail.
Indiana was among the first states to issue colorful graphics, and, over the years, the states seemed to be trying to outdo each other with ever more colorful designs along with more and more specialty license plates available. Colorado was relatively late in climbing on the bandwagon. Colorado acquired AzonUtsch equipment around 1996 and initially began making sixteen different types of plates with it. These included most of the military-related issues, old car plates, and government-related issues for State Representatives and Senators, the State Patrol, and Honorary Consul. Later on, new plates to honor the 10th Mountain Division and the 50th anniversary of the Air Force became available. Pioneers plates, plates for firefighters, and plates for electric vehicles also made their debut.
As nice as it was to have these new plates, they were rather bland compared to the offerings of other states. While other states were putting detailed pictures of tigers, trains, lighthouses, and what not on their plates, Colorado was simply offering a generic black on white specialty plate with a mountain silhouette at the top, a colored band across the bottom, and a logo or other device at the left preceding a 6-digit registration number. All that really varied from plate to plate was the logo at the left and the color of the mountains and the band at the bottom.
However, with the total reissue underway, the Azon-Utsch specialty plates have been redesigned, and the potential ofthis production method is being better utilized. In addition, U.S. Naval Reserve plates and the ABC plates have been redesigned in the Azon-Utsch format. The colors used before are the same for the various types of specialty plates, but the mountains are more than merely a silhouette at the top. There are also gray shadings and lines in the white area to give the effect of mountain contours. The list of specialty plates has grown as well with plates now available to honor the Marine Corps, and plates for members of the Knights of Columbus. Alumni of the University of Colorado can now get a distinctive plate honoring their school, and other schools in the state that can muster 500 registrations can have their own plates as well. In addition, motorcycle plates are now available for Purple Heart recipients and for honorably discharged veterans, along with the regular 6x12 plates available as before.
Shown here are the old and new versions of the Tenth Mountain Division plates. During World War II, this Army unit trained for winter combat in mountainous terrain at Camp Hale, near Leadville. Plate number 00164E is the old style, and 888 AXV is the new style, recently registered for my daughter, Ann's, car.
In addition to the redesigned Azon-Utsch plates, there have been significant changes among the traditionally embossed types. With all the fresh new designs and new offerings coming out, we have expectations unlike those we knew before. Now that Colorado's reissue is well underway, collectors here have a lot to watch for.
