A Colorado handicap placard gives individuals with qualifying disabilities the ability to use accessible parking spaces throughout the state. Unlike some states, Colorado processes disability placard applications through county motor vehicle offices—not state driver’s license offices. Here is everything you need to know to apply, renew, or replace your placard quickly and efficiently.
Qualifying Conditions for a Colorado Disability Parking Placard
Colorado defines who is eligible for disability parking privileges under state statutes. You qualify if you meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Mobility: Cannot walk 200 feet without stopping to rest.
- Assisted Mobility: Cannot walk without the use of an assistive device (brace, cane, crutch, wheelchair) or another person’s physical assistance.
- Respiratory: Have a severe lung disease that heavily limits respiratory function.
- Oxygen: Require the use of portable oxygen.
- Cardiac: Have a cardiac condition classified as Class III or IV by the American Heart Association.
- Other Conditions: Are severely limited in walking due to an arthritic, neurological, or orthopedic condition.
Types of Colorado Handicap Placards: Permanent (3-Year, Free) vs. Temporary (3-Month, Renewable Once)
Colorado recently updated its placard system to include several distinct tiers based on the duration of your condition, plus a special placard for meter exemptions. All placards are issued free of charge.
| Placard Type | Color | Who It’s For | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Permanent | Blue | Conditions not expected to change within a person’s lifetime. | 3 years |
| Extended | Blue | Conditions not expected to change within 30 months. | 3 years |
| Temporary | Red | Conditions expected to last less than 30 months. | 3 years |
| Short-Term | Red | Conditions expected to last 90 days or less. | 90 days |
| Remuneration-Exempt | Purple | Individuals whose disability limits fine motor control in both hands, or who cannot reach a parking meter. Exempts the holder from paying meter fees. | 3 years |
How to Apply for a Colorado Handicap Placard: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Obtain Form DR 2219
Download the DR 2219 (Persons with Disabilities Parking Privileges Application) from the Colorado DMV website (dmv.colorado.gov), or pick it up at your local county motor vehicle office.
Step 2: Complete the Medical Certification
A licensed medical professional must complete and sign the certification section of the DR 2219. Colorado accepts signatures from:
- Physicians (MD or DO)
- Physician Assistants (PA)
- Advanced Practice Nurses (APN/NP)
- Chiropractors
- Optometrists (for vision-related qualifications)
The provider must include their name, signature, and Colorado medical license number. An unlicensed or incomplete certification will cause your application to be rejected.
Step 3: Submit Your Application
You have three options for submitting your completed DR 2219.
- Online (Fastest): You can now upload your signed form directly to the Colorado myDMV website.
- In Person: Take it to your County Motor Vehicle Office (e.g., Denver County Motor Vehicle for Denver residents, or Jefferson County Motor Vehicle for Jeffco residents). Do not go to a state driver’s license office.
- By Mail: Mail the completed application and a photocopy of your secure and verifiable ID to your local county office.
How to Renew a Colorado Handicap Placard (New Medical Certification Required Every 3-Year Cycle)
- Permanent Placards: Must be renewed every 3 years. Colorado allows you to self-certify for your first two renewals (Years 3 and 6). This means you do not need a new doctor’s signature for those renewals. You will only need a fresh medical certification on your third renewal (Year 9).
- Extended, Temporary, and Short-Term Placards: These cannot be self-certified. You must submit a new DR 2219 with a fresh medical certification for every renewal cycle. (Note: Short-term 90-day placards can only be renewed once).
How to Replace a Lost or Damaged Colorado Disability Placard
To replace a lost, stolen, or damaged Colorado disability parking placard, you do not need a new medical verification if your original placard hasn’t expired. Simply request a replacement through the myDMV online portal, or submit a request to your county motor vehicle office. The replacement will retain the exact same expiration date as your original placard.
Colorado Disability Parking Rules: Fines Up to $500, No Time Limits, and Out-of-State Recognition
- Display: Hang the placard from the rearview mirror or place it securely on the dashboard so the expiration date and placard number are visible from outside the vehicle.
- Driving: You must remove the placard from the mirror while the vehicle is in motion to avoid obstructing your vision.
- Authorized Use: The placard is person-specific. It may be used in any vehicle you are traveling in, but using it when the authorized holder is not present is a misdemeanor punishable by fines up to $500.
- Metered Parking: Standard blue and red placards do not exempt you from paying parking meters unless local city ordinances say otherwise. Only the Purple Remuneration-Exempt Placard grants statewide free metered parking.
Frequently Asked Questions
If applying in person or by mail, submit it to your local County Motor Vehicle Office—not a state DMV location. For example, Denver residents submit to the Denver Motor Vehicle Division. However, all Colorado residents now have the option to skip the trip and submit their DR 2219 online via the state’s myDMV portal.
Yes. You can renew your placard online through the myDMV portal, by mail, or in person at your county motor vehicle office.
No. If you have a permanent (blue) placard, you are allowed to self-certify your renewals for the first six years. You only need a new doctor’s signature on Form DR 2219 every nine years. Temporary and short-term placards, however, do require a new medical certification every time.
Yes. All 50 states recognize Colorado’s disability parking credentials under reciprocal agreements. When traveling, your Colorado placard grants you access to accessible parking spaces, though specific parking benefits (like meter exemptions) vary by state.
Conclusion:
Applying for a Colorado handicap placard is a smooth process once you know to go to your county motor vehicle office rather than a state DMV location. Complete the DR 2219, have your doctor certify your condition, and you’ll have your placard in hand the same day in most counties.
Add Comment