Douglas County warns of statewide DMV outage during February upgrade

Douglas County posted an advisory on Jan. 12, 2026, alerting residents that a statewide Colorado DMV system upgrade will require temporary downtime for motor vehicle and driver license services. The outage will begin the evening of Friday, Feb. 13 and continue through Monday, Feb. 16, 2026, and will affect both in-person and online transactions tied to the state system.

County officials say the upgrade moves the DMV to a new statewide system intended to deliver a modernized customer portal and improved online tools. While the upgrade promises better digital services after the transition, the short window of unavailability will disrupt routine transactions such as registrations and license services that normally rely on the central DMV system.

The advisory is aimed at drivers, vehicle owners and businesses in Douglas County that routinely depend on county motor vehicle offices or the state’s online portal. Residents with upcoming renewal deadlines, planned vehicle sales, or needs for replacement credentials are urged to complete those transactions before the outage begins. The county recommends planning ahead to avoid last-minute trips or service delays that could affect insurance compliance, vehicle registration status, or travel plans.

Douglas County’s notice directs customers to finalize transactions early when possible and to schedule any time-sensitive visits to county motor vehicle offices in the days before Feb. 13. The county website includes the advisory and additional guidance at douglas.co.us/plan-for-statewide-dmv-upgrade-and-temporary-service-outage. Because the upgrade is statewide, travelers who might normally use online services while out of the county should also arrange alternatives in advance.

For many residents, the disruption will be an inconvenience. For others, such as people needing immediate replacement of license credentials or businesses coordinating fleet renewals, the outage could require rescheduling or expedited action before the system goes offline. Local municipal offices and businesses that coordinate vehicle titles or licensing are likely to feel downstream effects when the statewide system is unavailable.

The takeaway? Treat the mid-February window like a holiday for DMV business: handle registrations, renewals and any urgent license needs now rather than later. A little planning now will keep you from making an extra trip to the county office or getting stalled by the statewide system downtime. Our two cents? Check your renewal dates, gather necessary documents, and book any required in-person visits well before Feb. 13.