Denver Police Join Law Enforcement Partners to Increase Enforcement

Denver Police Join Law Enforcement Partners to Increase Enforcement

Published on August 18, 2026

Vehicle Owners Encouraged to Register Vehicles or Renew Registrations Now to Avoid Being Pulled Over and Cited

Denver - Tuesday, August 18, 2026 - During the week of August 23, 2026, the Denver Police Department is joining regional law enforcement partners to enforce expired vehicle registration and expired temporary license plate violations. Drivers are strongly encouraged to register their vehicles to avoid the $95 fine from a Denver Municipal Code citation.

Previously released information on registration of vehicles:

Vehicle owners can find information about registering or renewing the registration for their vehicle, branch and kiosk locations, online services and more on the Denver Motor Vehicle website. According to Denver Motor Vehicle, registration of newly purchased or acquired vehicles must be done in-person at DMV offices, and registration renewals must be done online or at a kiosk. Vehicle owners are reminded that while vehicle registrations have a 30-day grace period after expiration, temporary license plates do not have a grace period after expiration.

Background Information on DPD's low-level traffic stop policy:

The Denver Police Department is exercising a clause in its low-level traffic stops policy to allow for this period of targeted enforcement of expired vehicle registrations and expired temporary license plates.

The low-level traffic stops policy, adopted in May of 2024:

1. Emphasizes DPD officers focus their time and efforts on addressing serious, crash-causing violations
   • For example, speeding, reckless/careless driving, disobedience to traffic signals, etc.

2. Limits DPD officers from conducting traffic stops for lower-level traffic offenses that do not pose a risk to public safety

   • For example, equipment violations (inoperable headlight/taillight, cracked windshield that doesn't block driver's view), recently expired vehicle registration, recently expired temporary license plate, etc.
   • Exception: Officers may conduct traffic stops for low-level offenses if officers have reason to believe the driver and/or vehicle are involved in a serious crime, such as auto theft, robbery or burglary, hit-and-run crash, drug crimes, violent crime, etc.

• Police Department