Local Vehicle Registration Security
The Times Have Changed, the economy is in the dumps, no new jobs, the government is hurting for money, so they increase fees.
Renewing the registration on my motorcycles here in Colorado can be done through the mail or in person at the County Vehicle Licensing Clerk & Recorder office. I always like to pay my fees in person, you get a chance to interact on a more personal level with the government staff and see your tax dollars at work.
So I head downtown to visit my local vehicle licensing office to renew my registration and get my 2010 tags for my motorcycles. As I walk through the door I notice a large gentleman right inside the doorway packing a gun and wearing a security officer’s uniform. I walk up to the counter, grab a number, and have a seat. While waiting for my number to be called I was looking over the security detail wondering to myself just what was he doing in there.
After about five minutes my number is called and I go to the clerks’ desk and present my renewal paperwork. The clerk gives me the total fees due and I write out a check. After the transaction, I just have to ask the clerk; “So what’s up with the security guard?” The clerk tells me they put in the security officer after the new Vehicle Registration Law was passed by State legislation on March 3, 2009, and became effective June 1, 2009. So-far there has been no trouble, but they (the county government) must be anticipating a little backlash from the new law.
Here is a recap of the new Colorado Vehicle Registration laws and fees:
1. Average passenger car registration fees will increase by $32; Registration fees for motorcycles and vehicles weighing less than 2,000 pounds will increase by $22.50; Most trucks and SUV registration fees will increase by $39.50 while larger trucks will see an increase of $51.50 to $55. Campers and trailers will also have increased fees based on its weight.
2. An increase to vehicle registration late fees also became law on June 1, 2009. The new law requires a late fee assessment of $25 per month for every month past the one month grace period up to a maximum of $100. This fee is assessed in addition to renewal fees. The new legislation provides for NO EXCEPTIONS to these late fees.
Vehicle owners who move to Colorado from out of state and do not register their vehicles within 90 days of residency will be charged late fees up to $100. Vehicles purchased by Colorado residents will be assessed late fees 61 days after the purchase date, if the vehicle is not registered.
So in Colorado, no longer can you let your vehicle registration lapse without paying a penalty. Prior to this all you had to pay was a flat $10 buck charge, and you could have been one or two years out.
Last year I paid $17.94 a bike. The changes increased my motorcycle fees by $23.83 a bike, for a total $41.77 per motorcycle. I am still trying to figure out why I paid an extra $1.35 over the $22.50 increase, but the security was looking a little intimidating so I just got the hell outta of there….
Ride Safe
You (enough of you!) voted for “Change!” Well, welcome to the Marxist / Socialist future of these, our beloved United States: Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave!
We are sufferering the result of being governed for decades by exclusively self-serving children, served by a child-like media. I predict that “change” is coming, but that it won’t be anything the present “Agents of Change” were expecting, or will welcome gladly when it comes!
“Once a government is committed to the principle of silencing the voice of opposition, it has only one way to go, and that is down the path of increasingly repressive measures, until it becomes a source of terror to all its citizens and creates a country where everyone lives in fear.”
Harry S Truman, August 8, 1950
Comment by Sarge — October 12, 2009 @ 4:29 am
Oh we know about that crap here in Michigan. Our Govenor took a $600,000,000 negative and turned it into near 2 billon and that was after taxing us to death. And NOW she wants more taxes. Truman was sooo right. And look was is about to take place on the hill. Won’t be to far away and we won’t be any better off than a 3rd world country. And those basturds on the hill don’t give a rats ass. They get there monies and medical paid for life. We need to do a mass recall from sea to shiny shore. Did you know Sandra Day O’Conner said we need to change our Constitution to match the rest of the world. What the f*#*? And now we have Obama.
Comment by Webster World — October 13, 2009 @ 6:56 am
Dear Electra Glide In Blue:
The time has come to establish new national priorities, and to get started on making them realities. The current asshole in residence at the White House was out selling the Olympics for his stooge pals in Chicago, while this nation is screaming for a strategy to re-establish real jobs. (It is duly noted that previous asshole in residence at the White House couldn’t chew gum and interpret a bad situation in the Middle East.) We don’t have eight years to jerk around waiting for history to change in our favor.
Fondest regards,
Jack • reep • Toad
Twisted Roads
Comment by Jack Riepe — October 14, 2009 @ 3:34 pm
That’s pretty cheap. Here in CA, I just paid one of my bikes for 2010 – $247.00. That’s been the norm here for the last 10 years. 3 bikes and 4 cars. It hurts. Here the fee is based on the blue book value, not what you paid for it.
Comment by WILLY D. — October 14, 2009 @ 6:53 pm
Yup, thirty bucks a year should do it. Freedom is sold so cheap by some people. If I offered a hundred a year can I have the whole Republic? There was an election last week in Key West- 34 percent of eligible voters showed up. Constantly denigrating the great things about this country will do it.
Comment by conchscooter — October 15, 2009 @ 1:31 am
I’ve read this and the replies with great interest. I’m still chewing on what you’ve reported, and what the five replies…have inferred.
IT’s given me a lot to think on….I’ll be back
Chessie
Comment by Chessie — October 27, 2009 @ 6:03 am