Colorado offers disabled veterans three separate plate designs, but only one of them includes accessible parking privileges. This distinction surprises many applicants who assume any “disabled veteran” plate automatically covers handicap parking.
This guide breaks down the differences, walks through the eligibility requirements and county-level application process, and explains the ownership tax and registration fee exemptions tied to these plates.
Colorado’s Three Disabled Veteran Plate Options
All three plates require the same underlying disability threshold, but they differ in design and parking authority. Fortunately, the first set of any of these three plates is issued entirely free of charge (no issuance fee, registration fee, or ownership tax).
| Plate Type | Includes Parking Privileges? | Cost for 1st Set |
|---|---|---|
| Disabled Veteran | No | $0 |
| Disabled Veteran Handicapped | Yes (Displays accessibility symbol) | $0 |
| Disabled Women Veteran | No | $0 |
(Note: If you request a second set of military plates for an additional vehicle, a one-time $50 issuance fee applies, plus standard taxes and fees).
Eligibility: The 50% Disability Threshold
To qualify for any of the three plates, you must demonstrate one of the following, certified by a VA eligibility letter:
- A permanent service-connected disability rating of 50% or more, ORWeld County (.gov)
- Documented loss of use of one or both feet, OR
- Documented loss of use of one or both hands, OR
- Permanent loss of sight in both eyes due to a service-connected condition.
Meeting this threshold qualifies you for the base Disabled Veteran or Disabled Women Veteran plate. To get the Handicapped version, you need one additional piece of documentation.
How to Add Disabled Parking Privileges (Form DR 2219)
The Disabled Veteran Handicapped plate requires a second, separate certification beyond your VA disability letter.
A licensed Colorado (or border state) physician, advanced practice nurse, physician assistant, or podiatrist must complete the Application for Persons with Disabilities Parking Privileges (Form DR 2219), confirming a qualifying physical impairment that limits your mobility.
This is submitted alongside the standard Military License Plate Application (Form DR 2002) used for all military plates. Without the DR 2219 on file, you will receive the plain Disabled Veteran plate, which does not legally authorize you to park in accessible spaces.
DV License Plate Benefits: Tax Exemptions & State Parks
Vehicle Registration & Ownership Tax Exemption
Colorado’s vehicle registration bill includes an annual specific ownership tax that is often much larger than the base registration fee itself. Registering your vehicle with a Disabled Veteran plate exempts that vehicle from both the ownership tax and standard registration fees each year.
Can I get the tax exemption without the DV plate? Yes. Under a state law passed in 2020 (HB20-1190), qualifying disabled veterans can access this exact same ownership tax and fee exemption while displaying standard Colorado license plates. Ask your county motor vehicle office to apply the veteran fee exemption to your standard plates if you prefer a different design.
Free Colorado State Parks Access
Beyond vehicle fee savings, holding a Colorado Disabled Veteran plate grants you free entrance to all Colorado State Parks (excluding campgrounds).
Step-by-Step: How to Apply for a Colorado DV Plate
- Obtain your VA documentation: Request an eligibility letter from the VA or the Colorado Division of Veterans Affairs confirming your permanent disability rating (50% or greater) or qualifying loss of use.
- Choose your plate: Decide between the Disabled Veteran, Disabled Veteran Handicapped, or Disabled Women Veteran plate.
- Get medical certification (if needed): If applying for the Handicapped version, schedule an appointment with a medical professional to complete Form DR 2219.
- Complete the application: Fill out the Military License Plate Application (Form DR 2002).
- Visit your County Motor Vehicle Office: Colorado handles vehicle registration locally. Bring your completed DR 2002, your DD-214, your VA letter, the DR 2219 (if applicable), proof of insurance, and your current vehicle registration/title to your county DMV office.
Tip: Call your county office ahead of time. Some counties prefer to review DR 2219 disability parking paperwork before you make the trip in person.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Only the Disabled Veteran Handicapped plate, which displays the wheelchair accessibility symbol and requires the additional DR 2219 medical certification, grants parking privileges.
Your first set of Disabled Veteran plates is exempt from issuance fees, registration fees, and ownership taxes. The $50 fee only applies if you attempt to order a second set of military plates for an additional vehicle.
No. It requires the exact same 50% eligibility threshold and does not include parking privileges by default. It is simply an alternative design option to honor women veterans.
Colorado vehicle registration is handled at the county level. You must submit your paperwork to your specific County Motor Vehicle Office, not a central state DMV location.
Conclusion
Start by pulling your current VA disability letter to ensure it states your disability is permanent and 50% or more.Then, decide whether you need the parking-privilege version. If so, get Form DR 2219 signed by a qualifying medical professional before your county office visit — that’s the step that most often delays applications. Either way, the registration, ownership tax savings, and free state park access make this one of the most worthwhile benefits to claim in Colorado.
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