Colorado Revised Statute (C.R.S.) 42-3-204 (1) (b) (I) & (II) states that a "person with a disability" means a person so severely impaired that such person is unable to move from place to place without the aid of a mechanical device; or who has a physical impairment that substantially limits the person's ability to move from place to place, which impairment is verified, in writing, by a physician licensed to practice medicine or practicing medicine pursuant to section 12-36-106 (3) (i), C.R.S., a podiatrist licensed under article 32 of title 12, C.R.S., or an advanced practice nurse registered pursuant to section 12-38-111.5, C.R.S. To be valid, such verification by the physician, podiatrist, or advanced practice nurse shall certify to the department of revenue that the person meets the standards established by the executive director of the department of revenue.
Qualifying Criteria
Qualifying criteria are listed below. All criteria require certification by a person fully licensed to practice medicine in Colorado.
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Persons who cannot walk two hundred feet without stopping to rest.
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Persons who cannot walk without the use of, or assistance from, a brace, cane, crutch, another person, prosthetic device, wheelchair, or other assistive device.
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Persons who are restricted by lung disease to such an extent that the person's forced (respiratory) expiratory volume for one second when measured by spirometry is less than one liter, or the arterial oxygen tension is less than sixty mm/hg on room air or at rest.
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Persons who use portable oxygen.
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Persons who have a cardiac condition to the extent that the person's functional limitations are classified in severity as Class III or Class IV according to standards set by the American Heart Association.
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Persons who are severely limited in their ability to walk due to an arthritic, neurological, or orthopedic condition.
Options available for Permanent Disability License Plates and/or Placards
When applying for parking privileges due to a permanent disability, the applicant has the following options. The applicant may obtain:
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One set of license plates. (fees apply)
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One set of license plates (fees apply) and one permanent no fee placard.
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Up to two permanent no fee placards and no permanent license plates.
How to apply for Permanent Disability License Plates and/or Placards
There is no fee for Persons with Disabilities Placards.
Regular license fees and ownership taxes will be charged for Disability License Plates.
Applying for Permanent Disability License Plates Only
Applying for Permanent Disability License Plates and one no fee Placard
- Application procedure is the same as for the Permanent Disability License Plates.
- The placard will be issued which is to be placed visibly inside the vehicle of which the person with a disability is a passenger.
- The placard is movable from one vehicle to another.
Applying for Permanent Disability no fee Placard (s)
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- Secure and Verifiable Identification for the person with a disability or a Power of Attorney (Durable, Medical, or General) appointing an agent.
- Provide a photocopy of the title or registration (in the name of the applicant) to the vehicle you wish to display the Permanent Disability License Plates.
- The placard (s) will be issued which is to be placed visibly inside the vehicle of which the person with a disability is a passenger.
- The placard (s) is movable from one vehicle to another.
Applying for a Temporary Disability no fee Placard
For more information please contact us or visit any Denver Motor Vehicle branch office.
Page revised July 15, 2011