Due to complaints from citizens, Denver police are taking action against expired license plates for a month

Denver police announced this week that they will be cracking down on expired registrations and temporary license plates starting July 15.

The campaign is scheduled to run through August 15, and while the department says it is not a change or reversal of policy, it spoke of a “suspension” of a policy introduced in May and said officials would no longer stop drivers for minor traffic violations unless they pose a threat to safety.

“To facilitate enforcement of expired vehicle registrations and expired temporary license plates during this month-long period, the Denver Police Department is temporarily and partially suspending its policy regarding minor traffic stops,” the police department said in a statement this week.

The agency said it “continuously” hears complaints from people about expired license plates and that enforcement is responding to those complaints. The initial announcement sparked a storm of angry reactions from Denver residents on social media.

Individuals with expired stickers caught during the enforcement period face a $95 fine.

“I wrote the policy with the full intention of suspending it from time to time to respond to the complaints and concerns of the community,” Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas told CBS News Colorado on Wednesday.

City leaders, such as City Councilman Kevin Flynn, have also voiced their concerns. He says his car insurance is now 17 percent more expensive than it was a year ago.

“If your vehicle’s registration has long since expired, there’s a good chance you’re not insured either. So if you get into an accident, that’s going to drive up insurance premiums for me, the guy across the street and everyone else,” he said.

Flynn has been vocal in his opposition to the policy, even creating a YouTube video outlining his concerns, which include lost revenue for the city.

“By not collecting these expired license plates and ensuring they are registered, we may be missing out on tens of millions of dollars that would go towards repairing our roads,” he added.

Although it is difficult to verify this, Thomas emphasizes that listening to the community is key.

“It’s important to clarify that this is not a money-making exercise. The city generates very little revenue from enforcing registrations, so this has absolutely nothing to do with revenue,” he said. “This is purely about addressing citizen concerns.”