You just pulled into a parking spot in downtown Denver, and as you walk away from your car, you see it. A row of SUVs, all with clean, empty front bumpers. Then you look at your own car. Your front plate is sitting in the glovebox because you didn't want to drill holes in that pretty grille. Now you're wondering: am I actually going to get a ticket for this?
Honestly, the short answer is yes. Colorado is a two-plate state.
If you are registered here, the law says you need a plate on the front and the back. Period. But like everything in the Centennial State, there’s a bit of nuance and some specific rules that might surprise you.
Does Colorado Require Front License Plate? The Legal Reality
Colorado Revised Statute § 42-3-202 is the heavy hitter here. It's the law that dictates exactly where and how your plates need to be attached. Specifically, it states that the owner of a "self-propelled vehicle" must attach one plate to the front and one to the rear.
Some states are "one-plate states." Our neighbors in Arizona and New Mexico only care about the back of the car. Even Utah recently ditched the front plate requirement in 2024. Colorado, however, hasn't followed suit.
Law enforcement is pretty vocal about why. It’s not just about aesthetics or being a pain. It’s about identification. Front plates make it way easier for police to spot stolen cars or identify a vehicle involved in a hit-and-run when it’s heading toward them. Plus, toll cameras and automated license plate readers (ALPRs) rely heavily on that front-facing metal.
Who gets a pass?
Not every vehicle has to play by the two-plate rule. You'll notice certain rides only have a rear tag, and they aren't breaking the law:
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- Motorcycles (obviously).
- Autocycles (those three-wheeled slingshot-looking things).
- Trailers and semi-trailers.
- Street Rods manufactured before 1949.
- Special Mobile Machinery (construction gear).
If you’re driving a standard Ford F-150, a Tesla Model 3, or a beat-up Subaru Outback, you are definitely in the "two-plate required" camp.
The "But I Put It on the Dash" Myth
We see this all the time. Someone has a gorgeous sports car and they don't want to ruin the front end, so they shove the license plate into the bottom corner of the windshield.
This is technically illegal.
The statute requires the plate to be fastened horizontally at a height of at least 12 inches from the ground. It also has to be in the "location designated by the motor vehicle manufacturer." A dashboard is not a designated mounting location.
Aside from the legal risk, it's actually kinda dangerous. If you get into a head-on collision, that metal plate essentially becomes a high-speed projectile flying toward your face. Most cops won't hesitate to write a ticket for a "dash plate" because it's essentially an admission that you have the plate but chose not to mount it.
What Happens if You Get Caught?
Let's talk money. If you get pulled over or—more likely—ticketed while parked, you’re looking at a Class B traffic infraction.
- The Fine: Usually between $15 and $100 depending on the jurisdiction. In Denver, the "Right of Way Enforcement" (the meter maids) is notorious for this. They issued nearly 100,000 citations in a single year for expired or missing plates.
- Points: The good news? It’s a non-moving violation. You won't get points on your license for a missing front plate.
- The "Fix-It" Ticket: Sometimes, if the officer is feeling nice, you might get a warning or a ticket that gets dismissed if you show proof that you’ve mounted the plate before your court date. Don't count on it, though.
Why Some Drivers Risk It Anyway
There is a massive "no-plate" culture in Colorado, particularly among car enthusiasts. If you've spent $80,000 on a luxury car with a massive, intricate grille, the last thing you want to do is take a power drill to it.
Some people drive for decades without a front plate and never get stopped. In many rural counties, deputies have bigger fish to fry. But in cities like Boulder or Denver, parking enforcement uses the front plate requirement as a revenue stream. They will ticket you while you're in the grocery store.
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Smart Fixes for the "No-Drill" Problem
If you’re reading this because you want to stay legal but refuse to drill holes in your bumper, you have options. You don't have to ruin your car.
- Tow Hook Mounts: Many modern cars have a little square pop-out on the front bumper for a tow hook. You can buy a bracket that screws into that hole, holding your plate off to the side without any permanent damage.
- Grille Clamps: There are specialized clips that attach to the plastic mesh of your lower intake.
- Magnetic Mounts: Some high-end kits allow you to hide magnets behind the bumper cover, allowing the plate to "snap" on and off.
- Vinyl Decals: Technically, a vinyl sticker that looks like your plate isn't legal in Colorado (California allows them, we don't), but some people risk it anyway. It's still a risk, but it's better than nothing.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check your hardware: If your car is missing the front bracket, don't wait for a ticket. Order a "no-drill" tow hook bracket today. It's cheaper than a $75 fine.
- Keep it clean: If you have a plate, make sure it isn't covered in mud or snow. Obscuring the plate is its own separate ticket (Class A infraction), and it's actually more expensive than just not having the plate at all.
- Verify your stickers: Remember that in Colorado, your month and year stickers only go on the rear plate. Putting them on the front is a dead giveaway that you don't know the local rules.
If you just moved here, you've got 30 days to get your Colorado tags. Once those two metal rectangles arrive in the mail, make sure both of them find a home on your car. It’s a small price to pay to avoid a bright orange envelope tucked under your windshield wiper.