How to Get a Colorado Disabled Parking Permit

Living with a physical disability can be very inconvenient. Running errands, going out for a nice meal, or simply getting out of the house can be a real chore. In many countries, there is some sort of parking assistance provided by a governing body. For Americans, each state has their own laws regarding handicapped parking.

In Colorado, a streamlined process is used for a disabled person to obtain both a disabled person's placard, to be hung on the rearview mirror, or a disabled person's license plate, to replace the regular one.

Depending on the nature of the disability, people can apply for temporary placards or permanent placards and license plates.

In order for disabled people to qualify for placards or license plates, they must have one of the following conditions:

1. Serious movement limitations - this is for people who are not able to walk 150 feet without stopping to take a rest. People suffering from severe arthritis or neurological condition qualify in this category. This includes people who are not able to walk without the assistance of others or various assistive devices.
2. Serious pulmonary limitations - this is for people who may have been prescribed portable oxygen for use during the day.
3. Class III or IV heart conditions - this is for people who experience discomfort when engaged in even the slightest physical activity.
4. Vision acuity limitations - this is for people impaired by best corrected central visual acuity of less than 20/200 in the better eye. The Snellen Test is used to determine the level of disability. This also applies to people with central visual acuity better than 20/200 with limited field of vision. In this case, the widest diameter of the visual field is an angle of 20 or less.

In the state of Colorado, disabled veterans can also apply for placards or license plates. In such cases, a special veteran's disability placard or license is offered.

In Colorado, disabled people have to fill out an application form, which needs to be signed by their doctors. Form DR 2219 can be found on Colorado Department of Revenue's website under the Division of Motor Vehicles section.

Once filled out, forms can be submitted to the Department of Motor Vehicles by mail or in person.

For those applying for license plates, a copy of the car's title or registration must also be presented.

Being able to park in a handicapped space is helpful to the disabled person in more than one way. In addition to being closer to the visited facility, the parking spaces provide people with more space to maneuver. Their car doors can swing all the way open, giving them enough space to get in and out easier. If they are using a cane or walking stick, there is less chance of damaging other vehicles.