Last week's traffic enforcement along the Interstate 25 and 70 corridors by the Denver Police Department's Traffic Operations Division, in partnership with the Colorado State Patrol, Aurora, and Colorado Springs Police Departments, resulted in the citation of 339 drivers for expired or fictitious license plates. Some of the identified plates dated back to May of 2019, and as recently as October of 2022, according to a report from the Denver Police Department.
The focus on expired registration and plates is part of a weeklong initiative that saw the Denver Police Department step outside its usual low-level traffic stops policy. The policy typically limits such stops, however, vehicles with missing license plates remain a high priority, and this effort targeted those with offenses, such as plates expired beyond 90 days, which merit police intervention. The Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas emphasized, “Often times, suspects remove the license plate from a vehicle in an attempt to avoid detection when committing crimes,” as reported by the Denver Police Department.
To aid in law enforcement’s efforts, the Flock automated license plate reader network plays an instrumental role in tracking vehicles connected to criminal activity, even without visible plates. The Denver Police Department has made it clear that such vehicles are treated with high priority.
The Denver Motor Vehicle reminds owners that registration of newly purchased or acquired vehicles must take place in person at DMV offices, and renewals can be accomplished online or at kiosk locations. While a 30-day grace period is granted for vehicle registrations after expiration, temporary license plates are not afforded such leniency. Residents can find more information on the Denver Motor Vehicle website.
