Mr Summers-

I am writing to you regarding the new auto late fees and increased registration fees.

Considering the difficult economic struggles we are all facing these days, it amazes me that the state slid this bill through. It was definitely publicized that registration fees were going up to fund roads. What was not equally made public knowledge was the changes in the late fees. Once I read about it, I thought it was unreasonable in many circumstances, but I thought this wouldn't effect me since I always register my vehicles.

Well, what a surprise when I went to inflate the tires on a classic vehicle we own that we never drive. It's 5 year classic plates were expired! Did I receive a postcard? I don't think I ever did. So, off I go to the DMV  since I wanted to take care of it immediately. And guess what I find out? Obviously I had to pay past taxes, which seemed reasonable, but that's when I heard about the $25.00 a month fee for late registration. So, hearing this - my first thought was to just not register it at all. I don't drive it, but I still follow the law and license it and insure it. I did pay the fee and register my vehicle, but I am not happy about it. I think you will find many people will just not license their vehicles because they just can't afford it. I lost my job of 19 years in March and this fee certainly stung.

I think this is a horrible new tax. DMV had my old address for this vehicle. Ofcourse they had the correct address on my other ones - so, it actually seemed like their error and not mine.

I think this bill should be revisted. It appears to not be fair in some circumstances, and this is one of them!

Donna from Lakewood

Dear Rep. Vaad-

I am an Officer of a railroad construction/contracting company in Frederick, CO.  I own a fleet of trucks and equipment which includes specialty railroad-related equipment. In December of last year one of my contracts that required 5 pieces of the specialty equipment/tie cranes expired along with the registrations.    Since, finding another customer where I can use this equipment has been difficult as there are very few Customers who required railroad tie cranes.  Thus, I have let the cranes sit on my private property.  After a visit to the Weld County Clerk this morning, I read a sign that late registrations will be charged $25 up to $100.  I think this is bad legislation. My cranes have not uses our roads, bridges, etc.-- they are just sitting.  If I could find a contract for them I would, but it’s difficult, and I think my business is being further hampered by this law of our State.  T
 
Your offices are welcome to pass this email along.
 
Thanks,
Kristie from Frederick

Dear Rep. Nikkel-

Today I registered a Boat trailer with the Larimer County Clerk that I have owned for 24 years.  When I registered the trailer, instead paying  $15.xx like it said on the notice, I was told that I had to pay the back taxes (which I don’t mind) and a $100 late fee ($25 dollars a month for up to four months) for not registering it last year ($120.52 total).  I did not register the Boat trailer last year because I repairing the boat and I was laid off from work for a while and could not afford it (Yes, I could not afford $15.00).  This law went into effect 1 June, 2009; why am I paying a four month late fee?  The law has only been in effect for three/four weeks.
The trailer was not in use and was not on the road.  This is absolute BULL CRAP!  How can you enact a Law (Senate Bill 09-108) that penalizes people for not using or repairing a registered vehicle?  If I did not use the trailer last year because I could not afford it, what makes you think that I can afford this penalty now?  This law may have its advantages for bridges, government vehicle rental policies, etc.. (yes, I have read the bill in its entirety) but it should not apply to incidental use vehicles/trailers.
I own a 1965 jeep which I took off the road in 2003 for complete restoration.  Why should I have to pay the fine for “Not Using” my recreational vehicle?  If I keep it registered, then you require me to keep insurance on the vehicle.  Why would I insure a vehicle that is in parts all over my garage floor.
I would like a refund of my $100.00 fine, and I will expect you to assist me in obtaining that refund!  I would also suggest a revision to the law that excludes vehicles taken off the road for long term repairs or for recreational vehicles.  Please also let me know, who deleted line 27 on page 69 and line 1 of page 70 on Senate Bill 09-108.
Please do not ignore this message, your re-election counts on it! 
Michael from Loveland

Dear Rep. Sonnenberg-
There was much publicity about the new tax on registrations to help support the road and bridge fund.  But what I did not here was the part of the bill that placed a $25 per month late fee on registration renewals after the 30 day grace period.  
 
Imagine my surprise when I went to renew the registration on a farm pickup that gets put into service on an as needed basis.  It sits in the yard or never leaves the ranch property until I need it because some other vehicle is out of service.  The reason is not relevant.  It does not go on the road, so why spend the money until I need to use it?  If it was a burden to the staff at motor vehicles to do that, I could understand.  But, I was told that not one penny goes to them.  It all goes to the state for maintenance or whatever.
 
The $35 registration on that pickup went to over $100!!!  The 2 ton truck I updated at the same time cost an extra $100!!!!  
 
I am grateful for the 50% reduction on ag vehicles for the sir tax, but this late fee is a direct slap in the face of agriculture.  I know others in ag who do as I do.  If it had been publicized like the other tax, I would have nothing to complain about.  But it wasn't.  If it had been, you would have gotten this letter months ago.
 
I hope you did not vote for this bill.  Further, I hope and encourage you to support legislation to rescind this late fee at least, if not the whole bill, and refund what has been paid already.
 
I try to give you people the benefit of the doubt to do what is best for us, but this is not the time to be adding ridiculous taxes.  Wasn't the bailout money enough?  We are dieing out here.
 
Sometime throughout each year, I would get all the pickups and trucks renewed, even the feed truck that never leaves the place.  Now, I will not renew any vehicle that does not go on the road.  That will cut my bill enough that the state will end up collecting less money in the long run than if things had been left alone.  Come to think of it, that will cut my insurance bill too.  If it isn't being used there is no need to have insurance.  That should make the insurance man happy.
 
Win - Win??  Looks to me like Lose - Lose.
 
Kent from Ault, Colorado


Dear Rep. Sonnenberg-

I have been living in China since October 2008.  I put my truck in a storage unit and it was not driven and has not been driven since then.  I went to get new tags for my truck today so that I could get it out of storage and start driving it again.  Imagine my shock when I had to pay $100 extra for "late" fees!  This is ridiculous.  I haven't even lived in the country since last October.  The truck hasn't been on the road since then.  Why is this?  The government just wants more of my hard-earned money.  And, I don't even have a job now and can not find one since I have returned from China .  You would think that with the current state of the economy the government would do all they could to help us who are struggling.

Thank you.
Tina from Longmont