Colorado’s Birthday license plate sets sales record

By Elizabeth Weiler on October 4, 2023

Denver, CO — For the 150th Birthday of the centennial state, the The Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) created an honorary Birthday license plate. Since then, according to the DMV, the plate “has set an unprecedented record as the fastest-selling plate in state history.”

Previously, the record was held by the Broncos Charities plate. For the Broncos plate, it took four months to reach 5,700 license plate sales. However, the 150th Birthday plate surpassed that in just two months. 

The “Pikes Peak or Bust” plate pictured below is meant to honor the spirit and history of Colorado. 

Specifically, Denver local Calista Blaschke created the winning design in the state contest’s Under 13 division. Blaschke said her inspiration for her design includes Pikes Peak, fortune hunters, the State Bird (Lark bunting) and the State Tree (Blue spruce), according to the DMV. 

Further, this wasn’t the only plate created for the celebration of the August 1 birthday. The 13+ division was won by Evan Griesheimer of Denver. Griesheimer’s Birthday license plate has seen 3,000 orders through September and is featured below. 

“Colorado’s 150th birthday is an exciting time to celebrate and take pride in our state. Both of the 150th-anniversary license plate designs showcase unique parts of Colorado, so I am not surprised many people chose one for their vehicles,” Governor Jared Polis said in a press release. “Congratulations to Calista and Evan on the success of your license plate designs, and I look forward to seeing more of them on the roads!”