Grand Junction residents can once again get their licenses and plates in person. The Mesa County Motor Vehicle office on Rood Avenue reopened this morning after a four-day statewide shutdown that affected every DMV in Colorado.

The closure, which began last Thursday, allowed the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles to install a completely new computer system officials are calling the biggest upgrade in more than twenty years.

Why the Entire State Went Dark for Four Days

Colorado’s old DMV software dated back to the early 2000s. It crashed often, lost records, and made simple tasks take far longer than they should.

The new system, built by FAST Enterprises, replaces that outdated platform with modern cloud-based technology. State officials say it will cut processing times, reduce errors, and finally let Coloradans complete most transactions online without ever visiting an office.

“This is the single largest improvement to customer service we’ve made in a generation,” Colorado DMV Senior Director Electra Bustamante said in a statement last week.

Every single one of the state’s 52 DMV offices closed from Thursday through Sunday so technicians could transfer millions of records to the new platform.

Mesa County Back in Business, But Expect Lines

The Mesa County main office at 200 S. Spruce Street welcomed customers again at 8 a.m. sharp today.

Employees spent the weekend in intensive training. Many tell me they’re still learning the new screens while helping people at the counter.

Real-time posts on X from Grand Junction residents this morning show lines out the door and wait times pushing two hours at times.

One local mother wrote, “Been here since 7:45 and just now getting called. Bring water and patience!”

What Actually Changed for You

Here are the biggest improvements residents will notice right away:

• Same-day printing of most registration cards (no more 10-day temporary stickers for simple renewals)
• Real-time insurance verification that actually works
• Online renewals now available for more people, including those with minor name changes
• Digital driver’s licenses coming in early 2025 (you’ll be able to add it to Apple or Google Wallet)
• Appointment scheduling system that actually holds your spot

Pro Tip: Skip the Line Completely

State officials are begging people to use mycolorado.gov or the new DMV portal if possible.

You can now renew your registration, order duplicate titles, and even change your address without ever leaving home. More than 70 percent of transactions can be done online starting today.

When Everything Returns to Normal

Full statewide operations resume tomorrow, Tuesday. Mesa County Clerk Bobbie Gross told me extra staff will stay on duty through the end of the week to handle the backlog.

Anyone who had an appointment canceled during the shutdown is being contacted directly with priority rescheduling.

After four long days without service, the mood inside the Mesa County office this morning was a mix of relief and cautious excitement. Employees high-fived each other when the first customer walked out with a same-day registration, something that almost never happened under the old system.

Colorado just took a huge step into the 21st century when it comes to getting your tabs and licenses. Yes, the next few days will still be rough with longer waits, but everyone I spoke with agrees: it’s worth it.

Drop your experience in the comments below. Did you brave the line today? How long did you wait? Let’s hear it, Mesa County!