Colorado Gets the License Plate We Always Needed
It's finally here. The great state of Colorado now features the perfect license plate.
In my mind, no single image represents this fine state better than Mesa Verde National Park. With a single image, one can get a glimpse of one of the iconic features that make this state so amazing. As of now, you can take this image with you wherever you go.
Check out Colorado's new specialty license plate. It's available now at www.mesaverdefoundation.org. Motorists who purchase the plate will help the Mesa Verde Foundation raise money to directly benefit the park. The Mesa Verde Foundation stated in a press release, "Financial assistance is needed to maintain and improve the park for present and future generations."
How much? When you get the plate, you'll make a one-time, tax-deductible donation of $30. Unfortunately, though, that's not all. Once you've made the donation and it is processed, you'll be issued a PIN number to be used when registering a vehicle at your county motor vehicle office. The state of Colorado will then charge you an additional one-time fee of $50.
How did this come about? According to The Journal, Governor Jared Polis signed House Bill 19-122 to establish the Mesa Verde National Park license plate. More than 3,000 signatures were collected across the state in support of the new plate.
Have you been to Mesa Verde? It's amazing. My family visited every summer. When my mom died last summer, we scattered some of her ashes at Mesa Verde. I probably shouldn't say that since it's probably illegal, but oh well.
Mesa Verde National Park was established in 1906 to preserve and interpret the archaeological heritage of the ancestral Pueblo people who made it their home for over 700 years, from 600 to 1300. According to nps.gov, the park now protects nearly 5,000 known archaeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings.
Okay, here comes the legal stuff. Mesa Verde Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit, philanthropic partner to Mesa Verde National Park. Its mission is to promote understanding and appreciation of the park and to develop financial and other resources to support the park in its mission of protecting its cultural, natural, aesthetic and wilderness values.
My vehicle has the Colorado "Pioneer" plates. The next time I buy a car (which hopefully won't be for another 15-20 years) I'm going to get these Mesa Verde plates. People from other states will be jealous. Again, these are available as of now, so go get one.