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Colorado License Plate Lookup

The below information and resources, including any third-party links, are provided for information purposes only. This information does not supplement or alter our Terms of Service. We cannot confirm that the information provided below is accurate or complete. Please use the information provided by GoodCar responsibly.
Colorado License Plate Lookup Colorado License Plate Lookup

Conducting a Colorado license plate lookup generally involves retrieving detailed information about a vehicle's history using its unique license plate number. This process typically provides insights into the vehicle's past, which may include accident records, title statuses, odometer readings, and more.

Such information goes a long way in assisting prospective buyers with navigating Colorado's diverse terrains and making educated purchasing decisions. Specifically, individuals can typically utilize this data for safety assurance, financial protection, and value assessment. With over 6 million registered vehicles in Colorado, the importance of confirming that any vehicle, new or used, has a transparent and trustworthy history, cannot be understated. This is even more expedient for used vehicles, especially ones that have been used in the rugged terrains of the Rockies.

GoodCar is generally considered a comprehensive and premium solution resource for accessing vehicle histories through license plate numbers. This platform not only leverages data from publicly available sources to provide pertinent vehicle information, but also stands out by offering access to vehicle history reports at a competitive rate. This affordability, combined with well-sourced data, generally ensures that users are knowledgeable about a vehicle's current status and history.

What Information Can Be Found in a License Plate Lookup?

A GoodCar license plate lookup typically reveals an extensive range of details, which are available in both comprehensive and premium reports.

Comprehensive Data Reports

GoodCar's comprehensive reports typically offer details that are useful for preliminary vehicle checks. When available, users can generally retrieve the following information from these reports:

Vehicle Identification Number

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

GoodCar's license plate lookup tool is considered an efficient tool for retrieving VINs - a unique alphanumeric code that can be used to unlock in-depth vehicle information.

Vehicle Specifications

Vehicle Specifications

Comprehensive reports typically provide detailed vehicle specifications. Users can generally access information like the car's manufacturer, model, type, and production year. These reports also typically include the vehicle's drive type, brake system, body type and subtype, and trim of the vehicle.

Title and Problem Records

Title and Problem Records

GoodCar reports generally detail a vehicle's past ownership as well as branded titles that may indicate potential past damages. These reports typically include information like whether the vehicle is salvaged and/or rebuilt, and several other types of title classifications that can be used to provide a complete picture of the vehicle's history.

Accident and Damage Reports

Accident and Damage Reports

Users can generally unveil accident and damage-related information via a GoodCar comprehensive report and find out the severity of such incidents, which typically goes a long way in providing peace of mind during transactions.

Mileage Reading

Mileage Reading

GoodCar comprehensive reports may also include mileage readings from various points in a vehicle's lifespan. This data typically helps potential buyers to avoid vehicles with tampered odometer readings and accurately assess the vehicle's overall usage and condition.

Premium Data Reports

GoodCar also offers certain additional information to premium users, when available, such as:

Ownership Records

Ownership Records

GoodCar may provide a detailed account of ownership records, including past owners and their duration of ownership.

Market Values

Market Values

Premium users can typically access market value factors like trade-in, wholesale, retail, and residual values. Be aware that vehicle prices typically vary across Colorado - urban areas generally like Denver see higher demand, while mountain regions like Aspen tend to prioritize AWD/4WD vehicles. Understanding these trends typically helps buyers and sellers ensure fair pricing and avoid unexpected costs in the market.

Sales History

Sales History

A GoodCar premium report may also provide advertised prices and pricing trends of specific vehicles from online marketplaces, Colorado dealerships, and local auctions. This may include current sales listings (generally accessible through embedded links) that can help buyers understand pricing patterns and use them as potential negotiation tools.

GoodCar's premium report typically offers in-depth information not usually available in comprehensive reports that can be beneficial to vehicle buyers, sellers, and related businesses in Colorado. Be aware that users will typically be required to upgrade to a premium account to access these detailed overviews.

It is important to note that access to personal information like names and addresses may be restricted (even for premium reports). Such information is only provided if it is permissible under federal and Colorado privacy regulations.

Users can review this Sample Report to preview the data available through GoodCar's license plate lookup tool.

How To Run a License Plate Lookup in Colorado Using GoodCar?

When looking to run a Colorado license plate lookup, it is essential to use an authorized National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) data provider like GoodCar to obtain legitimate, most recent, and legally compliant vehicle history reports. Authorized NMVTIS data providers are organizations that have been approved by the U.S. Department of Justice to access and distribute vehicle history information sourced from the NMVTIS database.

You can typically conduct a Colorado license plate lookup through GoodCar by taking the following general steps:

  1. Enter the full license plate number of the vehicle they wish to research.
  2. Select "Colorado" from the dropdown menu to confirm the results correspond to the correct jurisdiction.
  3. Once the necessary details are provided, click the "Search" button to generate a detailed vehicle history report.

Colorado License Plate Formats and Designs

A license plate lookup can typically be conducted by inputting a license plate number that follows the state format to obtain reliable results. In Colorado, standard passenger vehicle plates typically follow the alphanumeric format of three letters followed by three numbers (e.g., ABC-123). Note that various special plates and vanity plates exist, each with distinct formats. Vanity plates allow drivers to personalize their plates with up to seven characters. Specialty plates, such as military, organizational, and disability plates, have unique letter-number combinations or design elements that differentiate them from standard plates.

As such, being familiar with Colorado's license plate design is essential for verifying its validity and registration within the state.

Colorado's standard plates feature a white mountain range against a dark green background, representing the Rocky Mountains. The word "COLORADO" is displayed at the bottom, and validation stickers are placed in the designated bottom corners to indicate the current registration status.

For special plates, unique colors, emblems, and logos are typically included. Below are some of the examples:

Group Special License Plates

Colorado License Plate Formats and Designs

Alumni License Plates

Military License Plates

Source: Images are from the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) website

Colorado Personalized Plate Availability

Colorado offers personalized license plates through the state's DMV (note that requests for these plates are screened for offensive content). Car owners in the state may use the GoodCar Vanity Plate Lookup tool to check the availability of their preferred plate number from the convenience of their home.

How Does GoodCar Collect Data for Colorado Vehicle Reports?

GoodCar compiles Colorado vehicle report data from publicly available sources to provide a broad overview of a vehicle's history. These include the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS), which aggregates data, such as title histories, branding information, and total loss records, from the Colorado DMV, junkyards, salvage yards, and insurance carriers. Additionally, GoodCar typically incorporates information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which supplies recall notices, safety ratings, and vehicle specifications, as well as private data providers like Black Book, J.D. Power, MarketCheck, and DataOne, that contribute market values, auction results, ownership histories, and vehicle condition reports. The platform also enhances report quality by utilizing its internal databases, thereby allowing cross-referencing and data integration to offer a clearer picture.

It is important to note that GoodCar cannot provide absolute claims about the completeness or accuracy of the provided data, especially as certain information is deemed confidential and restricted from public access, in line with state and federal regulatory guidelines.

How GoodCar Protects Personal Data Under the DPPA

GoodCar upholds the highest data privacy standards, in compliance with the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) and the Colorado Privacy Act (CPA). Under these regulations, a variety of personal details found in motor vehicle records is generally safeguarded, including:

  • Names of owners or past owners and their addresses
  • Driver's license numbers
  • Social Security numbers
  • Phone numbers
  • Medical and disability information

GoodCar may only legally disclose this personal information only under specific conditions outlined in the DPPA and CPA. Such conditions include:

  • Law enforcement requests for investigations or legal proceedings
  • Government agency use related to driver safety, motor vehicle recalls, and licensing processes
  • Insurance companies conducting underwriting and claims investigations
  • Court orders or subpoenas requiring information disclosure
  • Businesses that verify personal data for employment, credit, or fraud prevention
By accessing any reports provided by GoodCar, you understand, agree, and acknowledge that you may conduct a motor vehicle record search through the Services and access the results of that search only for a purpose permitted under the Driver's Privacy Protection Act of 1994 ("DPPA"), 18 U.S.C. § 2721, et seq., as amended, and as supplemented or restricted by the laws, rules and regulations of the state from which the motor vehicle record is sought.

Accessing License Plate Information from the Colorado DMV

The Colorado DMV allows individuals to request vehicle records using license plate numbers. Vehicle owners can generally obtain their own records, while other requesters may access someone else's records with the owner's written consent. Additionally, authorized agents can typically conduct searches for approved organizations or entities.

To request information, interested parties must complete the Motor Vehicle Requestor Release Affidavit of Intended Use Form. This form requires certain information, such as:

  • The requester's name, address, and email address
  • Vehicle owner's name and address (if available)
  • Vehicle license plate number
  • Additional information like attorney bar number, automobile dealer/auction license number, insurance company, etc, if available

Requests may be submitted through the Colorado myDMV online service, in person at any Colorado DMV location, or via mail-in to:

State of Colorado
Department of Revenue
Room 150
P.O. Box 173350
Denver, CO 80217-3350

Note that in-person submissions of requests require an appointment. Also, a standard fee of $2.20 per search or record applies, with an extra $0.50 fee for certified documents.

For more information regarding the process of retrieving license plate information, contact the Colorado DMV at (303) 205-5600.

Accessing License Plate Information from Other Sources

In addition to the Colorado DMV, certain other government agencies in the state may also offer valuable vehicle-related information. For example, Colorado law enforcement at the local and state levels maintain access to vehicle databases and offer information that may assist interested parties in identifying stolen vehicles or those connected to criminal investigations. However, it should be noted that access to these records is typically restricted to authorized personnel.

Similarly, information on vehicles that have been involved in legal matters (e.g., impoundment, traffic violations) may be available through Colorado courts and accessed through public records requests.

When choosing a license plate information source, especially for third-party services, verify if it complies with state data privacy regulations and the federal DPPA.

Choose services linked to government agencies, insurers, or recognized industry organizations. Avoid those that promise unrestricted access to personal vehicle owner details, as these may be engaging in illegal data sales.

What Are the Alternative Methods for Finding Vehicle Information in Colorado?

Colorado residents have multiple options for obtaining vehicle information aside from the license plate lookup. These include scheduling a VIN inspection with the CSP (Colorado State Patrol) to check for odometer tampering, vehicle title status, and branding. This process typically requires providing the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) and paying a $53 fee. Individuals looking to access vehicle property tax information may also contact county assessor's offices across the state

Additionally, federal resources like the NHTSA VIN Decoder tool and NICB VinCheck lookup may be utilized to reveal vehicle insights like theft records and manufacturer specifications. Note that both tools also require users to provide a valid VIN.

GoodCar also offers several powerful tools that interested parties may utilize to access thorough vehicle information. These tools generally require the VIN and other details to reveal comprehensive vehicle information (where available), and they include:

With a suite of powerful tools designed to reveal vehicle information, GoodCar aims to provide unmatched transparency for Colorado vehicle buyers and sellers. The platform generally delivers the most recent data and a navigable interface, making it a go-to solution for accessing publicly available and detailed vehicle information in the state.

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