by The Popularity of Black License Plates in Colorado
Specialty license plates have always been a way for car owners to express their individuality, but one particular design is now attracting special attention. Black specialty license plates are rapidly gaining popularity across the United States. In the state of Colorado, which offers such plates, they are now selling better than all other specialty license plates in the state combined.
These plates not only offer a more subdued and stylish look, but the funds from their purchase are directed to a good cause. It’s a win-win situation for all parties involved.
Funding Social Programs
The black license plates in Colorado were launched in January 2023. The annual fee for them is $25. This money does not go into the general budget but is directed directly to the Colorado Disability Funding Committee, which distributes the received funds among non-profit organizations working with people with disabilities.
Statistics in Numbers
By the end of 2025, over 486 thousand vehicles in Colorado were registered with black license plates. In 2025 alone, they generated $12.15 million. These plates now account for 7.69 percent of all plates issued in the state. For comparison, Colorado also offers blue and red versions of plates to support the same cause. Although they are also used, last year they brought in a relatively modest $880 thousand.
Assisting Specific Organizations
One of the many non-profit organizations that receive funding thanks to this program is the Housing Builders Foundation. This group focuses on adapting homes for people with disabilities. In 2025, the organization completed modifications in 176 homes.
“It’s a tough time right now, the economic situation is not the best, and the housing construction industry is also going through hard times. Therefore, finding alternative sources of funding, such as these license plates, is a real blessing for us. We are proud to be growing at a time when other non-profit organizations are struggling. We managed to expand last year,” said Alice Wurst, Communications Director of the Housing Builders Foundation.
“Knowing that there is a stable source we can rely on from year to year really helps us plan our budget and determine how many people we can reach,” she added.
General Trend and Other States
Colorado offers dozens of specialty license plate options, including designs honoring nurses, firefighters, or raising cancer awareness. And it’s not just Colorado that has caught the trend. Other states that now have black license plate programs include Indiana, Texas, Iowa, New York, Tennessee, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.
The success of this program in Colorado demonstrates how even a small annual contribution, multiplied by hundreds of thousands of participants, can lead to significant financial inflows to address important social issues. It also shows the growing willingness of citizens to combine personal preferences, such as car style, with the opportunity to contribute to the public good. Similar initiatives can serve as a model for other regions seeking stable and innovative ways to fund social programs without increasing taxes. The demand for black plates indicates that aesthetics and social responsibility can be successfully combined, creating a sustainable model of support for vulnerable segments of the population.
