This guide will help you understand if you are eligible for disability parking privileges in Colorado and how to apply for a placard or license plate.
What are Disability Parking Privileges?
The State of Colorado, through your county motor vehicle office (or via myDMV) offers license plates and placards for qualified persons with disabilities, allowing them to park in reserved spaces. These privileges ensure individuals needing extra space to enter or exit their vehicles have it, and that parking is available close to a facility's main entrance. If you have this privilege, you can park in any space marked with the International Symbol of Access.
This form provides more information about parking privileges and qualifications: DR 2816 - Persons with Disabilities Parking Privileges Eligibility and Instructions.
You may be eligible for a disability placard or license plate if you have a condition that significantly limits your mobility. This includes, but is not limited to, the following conditions:
- Mobility: You cannot walk 200 feet without needing to stop and rest.
- Assisted Mobility: You require the use of a device like a brace, cane, crutch, prosthetic device, or wheelchair, or you need the assistance of another person to walk.
- Respiratory: You have a lung disease that limits your breathing. Specifically, if your forced expiratory volume for one second is less than one liter when measured by spirometry, or your arterial oxygen tension is less than 60 mm/hg on room air at rest.
- Oxygen: You use portable oxygen.
- Cardiac: You have a heart condition that is classified as Class III or IV in severity according to the standards of the American Heart Association.
- Other Conditions: You have a severe arthritic, neurological, or orthopedic condition that limits your ability to walk.
A licensed medical professional must verify your condition in writing. A "Professional" refers to:
- A physician licensed to practice medicine or practicing medicine pursuant to section 12-36-106 (3) (i), C.R.S. (This includes commissioned medical officers of the armed forces of the United States of America, the United States public health service, or the United States veterans administration performing their lawful duties).
- A physician assistant licensed pursuant to section 12-36-107.4, C.R.S.
- A podiatrist licensed under article 32 of title 12, C.R.S.
- An advanced practice nurse registered pursuant to section 12-38-111.5, C.R.S.
- A physician, physician assistant, podiatrist, or advanced practice nurse authorized to practice professionally by another state that shares a common border with Colorado.
For Short Term Placards only, the following additional professionals are also accepted:
- Chiropractor licensed under article 32 of title 12, C.R.S.
- Physical Therapist licensed under article 32 of title 12, C.R.S.
Colorado offers several options to meet your needs:
- Placards: These should be prominently displayed on a vehicle used to transport the person with a disability. We offer:
- Three-Year Placards: For permanent impairments
- Temporary Placards: For short-term disabilities. If your disability is not permanent, you may receive a temporary placard. Submit the following to your County motor vehicle office:
- Completed DR 2219 Persons with Disabilities Parking Privileges Application.
- Applicant’s secure and verifiable identification.
- License Plates: These identifying plates permit qualified applicants to park their vehicle or motorcycle or a vehicle in which they are a passenger in designated disability parking spaces.
- A distinguishing license plate or a personalized license plate: This identifying plate permits qualified applicants to park their vehicle or a vehicle in which they are a passenger in designated disability parking spaces.
- Disabled Veteran Handicapped or Disabled Women Veteran license plate: These two types of handicap plates permit qualified veterans or women veterans of the United States Armed Forces to park their vehicle or a vehicle in which they are a passenger in designated disability parking spaces.
- Remuneration-Exempt Disability Parking Placard: This special placard exempts you from paying at parking meters if your disability limits your ability to use them. You may be eligible if your disability limits your:
- Fine motor control in both hands.
- Ability to reach a height of 48 inches from the ground due to lack of finger, hand, or upper extremity strength or mobility.
- Ability to reach or access a parking meter due to the use of a wheelchair or other ambulatory device.
- Relevant Forms:
You can apply for a new placard or request a replacement online or in person.
Online: Use the Apply for a Disability Parking Placard Online application. Turnaround time from application to receipt is generally 2 weeks.
- In Office at Your Local County Motor Vehicle Office: Submit a completed DR 2219 Persons with Disabilities Parking Privileges Application to your County Motor Vehicle Office. The application must be signed by the applicant or a representative.
- Mail to Your Local County Motor Vehicle Office: Mail a completed DR 2219 Persons with Disabilities Parking Privileges Application to your County Motor Vehicle Office. The application must be signed by the applicant or a representative. Turnaround time from application to receipt is generally 2 weeks.
You can find information on the application process in Form DR 2816 - Persons with Disabilities Parking Privileges Eligibility and Instructions.
Organizations that transport Persons with Disabilities can be issued three-year placards upon submission of the following documents:
- A letter, on the organization’s letterhead stationery, signed by the CEO (or equivalent), describing the vehicle's use.
- Copies of the registration or titles for the vehicles that will use the placard. Vehicles must be titled in the organization's name.
You can manage placards through the online system. Please note: expired placards cannot be managed online; you will need to contact your county motor vehicle office.
For instructions on receiving a replacement placard, please view Form DR 2816 Persons with Disabilities Parking Privileges.
Customers can elect to be issued a new placard, resetting their three-year certification date, by completing a DR 2219 Persons with Disabilities Parking Privileges Application with a professional's validation.
Find all forms here.
DR 2816 - Persons with Disabilities Parking Privileges Eligibility and Instructions
Statutory References:
- Colorado Revised Statutes: §42-3-204 C.R.S., §42-4-1208 C.R.S., 1 CCR 204-10 Rule 25.
- Code of Federal Regulations: 23 CFR 1235.
Colorado law allows you to voluntarily add specific disability information to your vehicle's registration record. The information is intended to assist you, your family, or your passengers in a stressful situation, such as a traffic stop. This program is:
- It is 100% voluntary.
- It allows a vehicle owner to disclose that a person who regularly drives or rides in the vehicle has a disability.
- When a peace officer queries the vehicle's registration, this disability information will be made immediately available to them.
- There is no fee to add this information to your registration.
- You can remove it at any time. An owner of the vehicle may request to have the disability information removed from the vehicle's registration.
- Your data will be deleted. If you choose to remove the information, the Department will not retain any of your disability information.
Find out how you can apply here: Disclosing a Disability on Vehicle Registration
Do you have any specific questions about applying for a placard or license plate, or about the eligibility criteria? Please send them here: dor_trcustomerservice@state.co.us or call 303-205-5608.