What to do with Texas plates after moving to Colorado
The answer can be return, cancel, destroy, recycle, or keep. Follow the reviewed Texas instruction only after the Colorado registration and insurance handoff are safe.
Complete the replacement record
Register the vehicle through the county motor vehicle office within 90 days after becoming a resident.
Bring proof of Colorado-compliant insurance for the vehicle.
Remove Texas plates and the windshield registration sticker
After the destination registration and plates are active, remove the Texas plates and the Texas registration sticker from the windshield. If the plates will not be transferred to another eligible Texas vehicle or retained, TxDMV says to deface the front before disposal so they cannot be used fraudulently.
Open the official Texas instructionReviewed 2026-07-31- 1. Activate acceptable destination coverage
Confirm the effective date with the new insurer.
- 2. Register in Colorado
Keep the issued registration or official receipt.
- 3. Complete the Texas plate action
Keep the surrender, cancellation, mailing, destruction, or retention record the state provides.
- 4. End or rewrite the old policy
Ask the insurer to use dates that do not create an uncovered active registration.
Sources for this closeout sequence
- TxDMV: License plate removal and disposalChecked 2026-07-31 ↗Exit closeout
- Colorado DMV: Welcome to ColoradoChecked 2026-07-31 ↗LicenseRegistrationInsuranceInspection / VINTax / fees