By Derek Kuhn
Last week, Governor Jared Polis and the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) announced the Historic Colorado Contest winners and revealed the state’s 150th anniversary license plates during a ceremony at the Governor’s Office in the state Capitol.
“Colorado’s awe-inspiring beauty was well reflected in the hundreds of great designs submitted by talented Colorado artists as we celebrate 150 years of Colorado history,” said Governor Polis. “I am proud to congratulate the winners whose beautiful license plates will be on vehicles across the state starting this August.”
Over 34,000 Coloradans voted in the statewide design contest to determine the winners. Coloradans will be able to purchase both Historic Colorado license plates online at myDMV.Colorado.gov, at local county motor vehicle offices, and at MV Express Kiosks for Coloradans who live in participating counties.
“I am so proud of the effort Coloradans and our Team put into the upcoming 150th anniversary license plates — they did a great job,” said Mark Ferrandino, executive director of the Colorado Department of Revenue. “It speaks to the pride we all have in calling Colorado home and I hope the contest sparked interest in our shared history, especially for the younger Coloradans who participated in the contest.”
Evan Griesheimer, of Denver, won the 13+ Division of the Historic Colorado Contest with 15,697 votes or 46.13% of the total. This license plate design will be available for purchase from August 1, 2023 to August 1, 2027.
“It feels great to win the contest. It means a lot to me to have one of my designs in a public setting where many will be able to see it,” Griesheimer said. “My friends, family and I are all very excited to be able to have a plate of our own with my design on it. One of my friends even joked about getting me to sign it.”
Griesheimer said the inspiration for his design came from simplicity and colors of the Colorado State Flag, the Rocky Mountains and mining.
U13 Division winning design and artist
Calista Blaschke, of Denver, won the Under 13 Division of the Historic Colorado Contest with 21,633 votes or 63.58% of the total.
This license plate design will be available for purchase from August 1, 2023 to August 1, 2027. Calista said winning the Under 13 Division and helping contribute to the rich history of Colorado is a great honor.
“It feels amazing to win the contest,” Calista said. “It’s a big accomplishment and I can’t believe my first ever entry into a contest like this ended up winning.”
Calista’s mother, Andrea Blaschke said that she is incredibly proud of her talented daughter.
“Cali worked incredibly hard on this design and her artistic talent continues to impress us,” Andrea said. “The day the voting ended, Cali was asking me every 5 min. to check my email for the results. When she found out she won, she was beyond excited, somewhat relieved the wait was over, and couldn’t stop smiling.”
Calista said the inspiration for her design included Pikes Peak, fortune hunters, the State Bird (Lark bunting) and the State Tree (Blue spruce).
The Historic Colorado Contest launched September 19, 2022 with the goal of helping Coloradans honor and make history through license plate design and closed with more than 300 entries from 216 entrants. Of the 216 entrants, 133 were 13-years-old or older and these contestants submitted 215 license plate designs.
The other 82 were younger than 13, and these Coloradans entered 97 submissions.
Three finalists per division were selected by a committee that included motor vehicle administrators, artists and Gov. Polis. with a final, public vote on the top three designs. In addition to the two $1,000 grants, winners will get bragging rights, will be featured in all of the Governor’s Office’s and DMV’s relevant media releases as well as a commemorative license plate.
The Historic Colorado Contest is a low-cost effort to honor Colorado’s history and 150th anniversary with a commemorative license plate.
Derek Kuhn is Communications Manager with Colorado DMV.