Coloradans shelled out $6.4 million in late fees when registering their vehicles in June and July.
The penalty, which ranges from $25 to $100 for each vehicle, is part of legislation that incrementally increases registration fees for three straight years to raise $250 million to repair bridges and roads. Many Coloradans have expressed their displeasure over the increases, but Sen. Dan Gibbs, D-Silverthorne, said something had to be done to raise money for transportation.
“This is baby steps,” said Gibbs, who sponsored the bill. “This doesn’t even come close to solving our infrastructure problem. We have $1.5 billion in needs.”
The late fees began June 1; higher registration fees went into effect July 1.
Between late fees and registration increases, the state in June and July collected $17.8 million, according to the Department of Revenue.
The state’s share of the late-fee revenue was $5.2 million. Counties get the first $10 of every late fee collected.
Shock to the drivers
The late fees, in particular, have come as a shock to Coloradans accustomed to paying either nothing (counties previously could waive the fee) or the maximum penalty of $10 for not registering their vehicles on time.
“It’s settled down some,” said Karen Long, clerk and recorder in Adams County. “In June and July, we didn’t encounter the threats that maybe some other counties did, but people were very unhappy.”
Rep. Frank McNulty, R-Highlands Ranch, said some people probably aren’t aware their registration fee increased, but if they have to pay late fees, that’s when they really holler.
“They are not happy about that late fee,” he said.
The furor over the increased fees isn’t going away.
Bob Becker, motor vehicles manager for El Paso County, said he talked last week to a woman upset that the registration fee for her old car, around $28 last year, is about $60 now.
Owners of older cars are particularly unhappy because their registration fees have more than doubled.
Keeping up roads
The average Coloradan will pay an extra $32 for registration the first year, $36.50 the next year and $41 the third and final year of increases.
Ed Foy of Grand Junction wrote his state senator after the registration fee for his elderly parents’ 1983 small pickup more than doubled. Their sole income is Social Security, he said.
“That’s not a great deal for people with extra income, but it really impacts them,” Foy said in an e-mail to Sen. Josh Penry, R-Grand Junction. “They are now considering giving up their pickup — which might get used 500 miles in a year — to save money.”
Sen. Al White of Hayden was the lone Republican to support the bill in the Democratic-controlled legislature.
Gibbs said the measure was developed after nearly three years of input from business and civic leaders, and its supporters include the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce.
“I want to make sure that the folks who come here to vacation and those who provide our goods and services can get from Point A to Point B,” he said. “I have folks who thank me all the time for pushing this bill.”
Lynn Bartels: 303-954-5327 or lbartels@denverpost.com
