Committee advances bill letting disabled veterans choose alternative free license plates

A proposal to let disabled veterans receive state registration and fee exemptions without displaying a disabled-veteran marker on their vehicle won unanimous approval in the House Finance Committee and will go to the Committee on Appropriations.

Representative Bradfield, sponsor of House Bill 10‑57, said the measure allows eligible veterans to choose one of three free platesthe disabled-veterans plate, a service-branch plate, or the standard Colorado platewhile retaining the $0 registration/fee benefit. He said the change responds to veterans who do not want a public marker that identifies them as disabled.

Supporters emphasized privacy and stigma concerns. Dr. Elise Carlson, testifying for herself and veterans she knows, said many veterans are uncomfortable publicly displaying disabilities and that the bill preserves the benefit without forcing disclosure. Sponsors adopted two amendments: L-005 to clarify which plates can substitute for the DV plate, and L-006 to codify the Colorado Wild Pass process for park entry tied to the plate.

Representative Marshall and other sponsors said the change simply expands choice while maintaining longstanding benefits that date back to 1949. The committee moved HB 10‑57, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations by a recorded vote of 10to0 with one member excused.

What happens next: HB 10‑57 will be considered by the Committee on Appropriations; if approved there, it would return to the floor for additional action.