Committee sends bill to allow license‑plate transfers, county API use to appropriations unanimously

Representative Brett Morrow told the committee House Bill 10 53 responds to repeated public complaints that owners must get new plates every time they buy a vehicle. "The ability to transfer license plates is something that the public consistently wants," said Boulder County Clerk Molly Fitzpatrick, testifying on behalf of county clerks and recorders.

Clerks said the bill would reduce plate printing, mailing and disposal costs and shorten waits for permanent plates by letting counties leverage an application programming interface to automate back‑office paperwork. Douglas County Clerk Sherry Davis and other county officials described contingency planning and mutual support among counties during disasters as another benefit.

Representative Morrow offered amendment L001 to remove a proposed section that would have implemented the "Keep Colorado Wild" offset and the committee adopted it after questions about fiscal and CPW (Colorado Parks & Wildlife) impacts. The sponsor said removing that section reduced potential fiscal complexity.

After brief closing remarks the committee voted 11–0 to refer the amended bill to Appropriations. Sponsors said they will request specific fiscal‑impact numbers for the record before the next committee stage.

Next steps: HB 10 53 is now in Appropriations; sponsors and clerks will work with fiscal staff to quantify county and state savings.