Contest announced for license plate design that highlights historic preservation

Colorado Preservation, Inc. is leading a statewide charge to create a specialized license plate that highlights the importance of historic preservation in Colorado and the public is invited to enter a contest to design the plate now through May 1.

“Colorado has more than 30 themed license plates dedicated to a variety of organizations and causes, but to date there is no plate that lets Coloradan’s express their love for history, heritage, main streets, small towns, sustainable development, and of course historic buildings and the cultural landscapes that lie at the heart of historic preservation,” program director Jennifer Orrigo Charles said. “Colorado Preservation, Inc. is looking to the public to help bring this plate to Colorado’s highways, byways, and beyond.”

Design entries will be posted on www.coloradopreservation.org and the organization’s Facebook page throughout the month of May (Preservation Month) for the public to select a favorite design. Based on those choices, a committee will select the final design which will be judged on artistic merit, creativity, how well it meets the theme and how well it will translate into a license plate design. Original designs that promote the importance of history, heritage, and the built environment to Coloradans are encouraged.

The winning design will be announced on August 1 (Colorado Day) and receive statewide exposure along with waiver of the plate fee, free registration to Colorado Preservation Inc.’s annual Saving Places Conference, and a free membership with the organization.

This contest is open to all individuals including professionals and students – Colorado residents and nonresidents. Applicants may submit only one design and the artist should design the plate with the mission of Colorado Preservation, Inc. in mind with a goal of “building a future with historic places.” There is no entry fee. All designs must be original artwork, hand-created or computer generated but may not contain “clip art” or the Colorado Preservation, Inc. logo. For complete entry and design rules, visit http://coloradopreservation.org.

To enter the contest, submit one original design and entry form by mail or email postmarked no later than midnight May 1, 2015 to:

Colorado Preservation, Inc
Jennifer Orrigo Charles
Attention: License Plate Design Contest
1420 Ogden Street, Suite 104
Denver, CO 80218

In addition to the license plate contest, signatures are being collected for the themed license plate, which will go before the legislature in 2017. The nonprofit organization has until August 2016 to acquire 3,000 signatures in order to take the initiative to the legislative floor for approval.

An online petition and a downloadable in-person form is available at http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/support-historic-preservation-license-plate

For more information on the license plate contest or the petition, please visit at www.coloradopreservation.org, call Jennifer Orrigo Charles at (303)893-4260 x237 or email her at jorrigocharles@coloradopreservation.org.