Kids 1st" license plate debuts

By Mike McPhee
Denver Post Staff Writer
Article Last Updated: 08/08/2007 01:53:25 PM MDT

Lisa Van Bramer talks about the new kids license plate as Lt. Gov. Barbara O'Brien, right, listens at the state Capitol on Aug. 8, 2007. (The Denver Post | John Leyba)

The "Kids 1st" license plate made its official debut this morning as the state's newest designer plate, aimed at preventing injuries to the state's 1 million children.

The whimsical plate has the words "Kids 1st" in the center near the bottom, just below three handprints in blue, yellow and red.

The plate is the brainchild of Dr. Lisa Van Bramer, an emergency physician who founded the Rocky Mountain Research and Prevention Institute five years ago.

"I got the idea for the license plate when I was in medical school in Chicago," said Van Bramer. "Indiana had a 'Kids 1st' license plate that raises between $1.5 million and $3 million a year. The state didn't copyright the name. In fact, they wanted it spread around."

She said 14 or 15 states now have similar license plates.

"Coloradans love license plates, and they love children," Van Bramer said. "So I'm hoping we can do as well as Indiana."

Colorado has 100 versions of its basic license plate, including specialized plates and designer plates. Van Bramer is hoping "Kids 1st" becomes the most popular.

The purchaser of a "Kids 1st" plate gives a $30 donation to Van Bramer's institute, then pays the standard fees for a designer plate. If a car owner's plates haven't expired yet, they can get the "Kids 1st" plate now and be credited for the remaining time left on their old registration. The plates also can be personalized but without the three handprints.

Van Bramer's institute doesn't have its own programs but raises funds to be distributed among existing programs for children's health and injury prevention.

The plate is personalized for Van Bramer in a special way: The three handprints on the plate came from her own kids: Jake, 10; Josh, 6; and Emma, 10 months. They were all in attendance at today's dedication in front of the state Capitol.

Lt. Gov. Barbara O'Brien, a fierce advocate for children's issues, enthusiastically endorsed the new plate.

"This is a great way for the
The new Colorado kids license plate features kids' handprints and a purple background. It will raise funds for child health and safety programs throughout the state. (The Denver Post | John Leyba)
public to support programs for the safety and health of children," she said. "It funds grass-roots organizations that care for children and work toward preventing injuries. It will hand out grants in every community in the state."

Chris Watney, representing the Colorado Children's Campaign, said one in six Colorado children don't have health-insurance coverage.

"This could be a great opportunity to support our kids," she said.

The legislation creating the new plate was co-sponsored by Sen. Paula Sandoval, D-Denver, and Rep. Jack Pommer, D-Boulder.

"Years ago, cholera was the main health issue facing children. Then it was strep throat. The new frontier today is protecting children from accidents," Pommer said. "This program could become the lead in a nationwide effort to protect our children."