Ever discover how a lot is visually occurring in a license plate? The fundamental Hawaii plate has a rainbow glowing within the background, Alaska’s has a complete bear, Wyoming’s has (what else however) a cowboy at a rodeo, and a number of other states characteristic an area mountain or mountains. A few of them are actually fairly busy, despite the fact that, on the finish of the day, all they’re meant to be is a few figuring out letters and numbers.
Colorado’s fundamental plate, too, options a number of mountains towards a inexperienced background. However just lately, a brand new plate has been blowing away expectations, turning into one thing of an automotive trend assertion. A throwback to the state’s 1945 plate, a clear, crisp, white-text-on-black-background specialty plate went on sale in January of 2023. This wasn’t presupposed to be something particular: States launch specialty plates on a regular basis (some dumber than others, however some higher), and this specific one debuted alongside in any other case similar pink and blue choices, in addition to a inexperienced mountain vary on a white background.
But it is the black plate that has turn out to be a sensation. Perhaps it is that the 2D aesthetic has taken over from 3D in recent times, or perhaps it is that black is at all times cool, or perhaps individuals just like the Zen simplicity of a plate that’s only a plate with none frills. Regardless of the cause, its surprising reputation comes with a incredible bonus that different states ought to be aware of.
Colorado’s black license plate raises further income for the state
All 4 of Colorado’s retro plates, every referencing a particular period of the state’s historic plating, had been supposed for a particular function: Elevating income for the Colorado Incapacity Funding Committee. Whereas the essential plate requires solely an upfront payment, these plates require $25 up entrance and a further $25 per yr; that annual payment goes to the committee, which presents grants for aiding individuals with disabilites or supporting improvements to assist them.
The blue, pink, and inexperienced mountain vary plates did their jobs, promoting a number of thousand every, as anticipated. That is a pleasant quantity of additional money to help trigger. It is the black plate, although, that took off like a rocket: As of March 2025, it is estimated to have offered a really jaw-dropping 378,000 models. And whereas it could look cool on the highway, it is actually nice {that a} group that wants the help can elevate devoted funding that the state authorities cannot simply snatch away.
Besides, perhaps it could actually. The Colorado state legislature is at present methods to redirect that income towards different wants, which is explicitly not the purpose of devoted fundraising like this. On the one hand, that is going again on their phrase; on the opposite, perhaps all that cash may help the state in different methods. Have an opinion on that? Merely transfer to Colorado and vote on your native representatives. Perhaps decide up a cool license plate when you’re at it.
