Historic Colorado

Governor Polis, DMV Reveal Historic Colorado Contest Winners,
State’s 150th Anniversary License Plates

New License Plates to be Available in August in Celebration of Colorado’s 150th Anniversary

On March 1, 2023, Gov. Jared Polis and the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) announced the Historic Colorado Contest winners and revealed the state’s 150th anniversary license plates during a ceremony at the Governor’s Office in the state Capitol. 

“Colorado’s awe-inspiring beauty was well reflected in the hundreds of great designs submitted by talented Colorado artists as we celebrate 150 years of Colorado history,” said Gov. Polis. "I am proud to congratulate the winners whose beautiful license plates will be on vehicles across the state starting this August."

Over 34,000 Coloradans voted in the statewide design contest to determine the winners. Coloradans will be able to purchase both Historic Colorado license plates online at myDMV.Colorado.gov, at local county motor vehicle offices, and at MV Express Kiosks for Coloradans who live in participating counties.

“I am so proud of the effort Coloradans and our Team put into the upcoming 150th anniversary license plates — they did a great job,” said Mark Ferrandino, executive director of the Colorado Department of Revenue. “It speaks to the pride we all have in calling Colorado home and I hope the contest sparked interest in our shared history, especially for the younger Coloradans who participated in the contest.”

Evan Griesheimer and Calista Blaschke pose at the State Capitol with their winning license plate designs mounted on a wooden plaque
Evan Griesheimer, the Over 13 Category Winner, and Calista Blaschke, the Under 13 Category Winner, pose with their winning license plate designs to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of Colorado.

The Finalists:

Over 13

Final Designs:

 

License plate of white snowy mountains and sun setting behind them. In the center is the Colorado logo with the state capitol building in the center.

Artist: Alain Suel, of Denver
Inspiration: Colorado’s beautiful sunsets, blue skies, snowy mountains and the Capitol dome
B-Roll: 07:00  |  Promo video
 

 

 

License plate of white mountains reversed out of dark blue and the colorado logo to the left. In the center is a shield with mountains and pioneer pick and hammer.

Artist: Evan Griesheimer, of Denver
Inspiration: The simplicity and colors of the Colorado State Flag, the Rocky Mountains and mining
B-Roll: 03:30  |  Promo video
 

 

 

License plate with light blue sky, white mountains, and crest in the center with Colorado 150 in the center. Bottom says A Shining History.

Artist: Dave Kottler, of Colorado Springs
Inspiration: The artist was inspired by his 30 years spent in Colorado
B-Roll: 00:14  |  Promo video

Under 13

Final Designs:

 

License plate of blue sky, white mountains, and an evergreen tree in the center.

Artist: Calista Blaschke, of Denver
Inspiration: the State Bird (Lark bunting) and the State Tree (Blue spruce), and Colorado’s nature
B-Roll: 07:53  |  Promo video

 

License plate of white capped mountains and evergreen trees in the front. The Colorado logo is a setting sun.

Artist: Eden Eshun, of Denver
Inspiration: Colorado’s mountains and forests, and the State Bird (Lark bunting)
B-Roll: 09:45  |  Promo video

 

License plate of Pikes Peak in the background and Garden of the Gods in the foreground, green rolling hills with an Evergreen street and a red clay road through the center.

Artist: Calista Blaschke, of Denver
Inspiration: Pikes Peak, fortune hunters, the State Bird (Lark bunting) and the State Tree (Blue spruce)
B-Roll: 07:53  |   Promo video
 

 

 

Historic Colorado Contest infographic of Submissions depicting 12 and under category had 90 handmade entries while 13+ had 62 handmade entries
Infographic of Historic Colorado Contest Submissions

 

 

Media Kit

artistic graphic