Whimsical license plates aim to put kids first in Colorado

By John Gleason

In what’s being called a new way to promote children’s health and safety programs, the Department of Motor Vehicles is now offering Colorado Kids 1st license plates.  The plate, which depicts three hand prints against a background of mountains, is designed to raise awareness about putting kids first as well as helping community organizations raise money for projects dedicated to promoting the safety of children.

Lisa Van Bramer of the Rocky Mountain Research and Prevention Institute is one of the original backers of Colorado Kids 1st license plates.  She said one reason for bringing this to the public was so more groups could raise money for their child-betterment programs.

“I wanted to give smaller groups a chance to raise money for kids programs; neighborhood groups who want to ensure that children are in car seats or have bike helmets,” she said. “They’re not grant writers who are looking for big donations.  They just need a few hundred dollars to accomplish their goal.”

For a $30 donation to Rocky Mountain Research and Prevention Institute, participants will receive a voucher allowing them to obtain the license plate from the Department of Motor Vehicles.  That donation goes into the Colorado Kids 1st Fund, which provides grants to applicants whose projects and objectives influence the welfare of kids in Colorado.  The voucher is taken to the Department of Motor Vehicles where the plate is obtained.  There is a one-time $50 fee for the plate.  Those who wish to get the new plate before their current tags expire will be credited for the time remaining on their old tags.

“Unlike vanity plates where you pay an annual fee above the cost of your tags, the Colorado Kids 1st plates are similar to those issued to Bronco fans or school alumni,” Van Bramer said.  “You pay a one-time fee and the plate is yours forever.”

Groups or organizations that advocate child health or safety can promote the sale of plates and make money for their own projects at the same time.

“When a person makes a donation to Rocky Mountain Research and Prevention Institute and says they heard about the plate program through a certain group, that group will receive 10 percent of the donation,” Van Bramer said. “The rest of the money goes to the fund, which we give out in grants to child safety organizations.”

Jenny Kraska, executive director of the Colorado Catholic Conference, the state-level, public policy arm of the Catholic community, considers the program a positive one for kids, which is the reason the conference has been a supporter of the project for a long time.

“It raises money for awareness where children are concerned, which is important to us as citizens,” she said. “And it allows organizations such as our Catholic schools to raise money for their own projects. It’s a natural fit and one that we support.”

Still, with all the interest and positive feedback, the program is under a deadline.  In the14 months since the initiative was signed into law approximately 1,000 plates have been issued to Colorado drivers.  However, Van Bramer said that unless 3,000 plates are issued by next July, the state has the option of not renewing the program.

“We know there are many more groups who’d want to be a part of this program,” she said.  “We need to get the word out.”

Information on the Colorado Kids 1st plate program can be obtained by calling 303-808-0278 or visit online at coloradokids1st.org.