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Emergency Vehicle Authorization

Emergency vehicle decals are provided to privately owned Colorado vehicles that will be used to preserve life and property. This designation must be confirmed by a certifying official (see requirements below). One decal is issued per vehicle, and the decal is valid for 2 years.

Vehicles that do NOT require an Emergency Vehicle Decal

  • Emergency vehicles (ambulances, fire trucks, police vehicles) that are publicly owned and operated by or for a governmental agency to protect and preserve life and property
    • If a vehicle has a government plate, the decal is not needed and will not be provided

Vehicles that require an Emergency Vehicle Decal

  • Privately owned vehicles that are necessary to the preservation of life and property.

Decal Requirements

  • The vehicle must be currently registered in Colorado in the applicant’s name.
    • The vehicle owner on the registration must be the same as the vehicle applicant
    • Expired registrations and temporary registrations are not accepted; only current annual registrations
  • A completed DR 2490 Emergency Vehicle Equipment Authorization Application (located on the Forms page here) which includes the authorization from one of the following certifying officials:
    • Sheriff
    • Chief of Police
    • Fire Chief
    • Colorado State Patrol
    • Ambulance Service Director
      • A certifying official cannot be the same individual as the applicant; another certifying official would need to authorize the form in this case.
      • Certifying officials must include their badge number, employee number, or PUC number on the form; a driver license may also be used (Badge Number section).

Application Submission

  • Only certifying officials can submit the completed DR 2490 (located on the Forms page here) either:

    • By mail to:

      Colorado Department of Revenue
      Division of Motor Vehicles
      PO Box 173350
      Denver, CO 80127-3350

    • Or at the Westgate Vehicle Services Office (3265 S Wadsworth Blvd #3, Lakewood, CO) by:
      • An appointment for "Other Non-County Title and Registration Services"
      • Drop off/pick up service
        • Once dropped off, applications are processed in the order they are received. 
        • The certifying official will be contacted for pick up once the application has been processed.

Decal Distribution

  • Emergency Vehicle decals will only be supplied by Vehicle Services to the certifying official listed on the DR 2490; who will then provide it to the vehicle owner/applicant. 
    • The applicant is required to keep the approved DR2490 in the vehicle at all times.
  • Emergency Vehicle decals will not be supplied to the owner of the vehicle by Vehicle Services.

Additional Resources