Donation Essentials Blog
National DMV Appreciation Month 2026
What is National DMV Appreciation Month?
National DMV Appreciation Month takes place every September, when Donor Alliance, the nonprofit that manages the Donate Life Colorado and Donate Life Wyoming registries, thanks DMV and Driver Services employees for their role in organ and tissue donor registration.
Registering as a donor at the DMV is the single biggest driver of new donor registrations in Colorado and Wyoming. In fact, about 99% of organ and tissue donor registrations in the region happen through DMV and Driver Services offices. Every day, employees at those offices are giving people the opportunity to say yes to donation, a decision that can have an impact far beyond that moment.
Corinne, a DMV Communications Specialist (pictured on the right), knows that impact firsthand. She received a donor ligament that made her recovery from knee surgery possible “A fluke injury could’ve impacted me for the rest of my life, but it didn’t because someone said ‘yes,’” said Corinne. “By having the reconstruction surgery thanks to a donor ligament, I am able to start taking them to the Cherry Creek State Park off leash area and I have fostered two dogs. Without the donor ligament, I wouldn’t be able to do any of those things. It made me think about a different side of donation, but it is still very important.”
Registering as a donor at the DMV is the single biggest driver of new donor registrations in Colorado and Wyoming. Without this partnership, Donor Alliance would struggle to sustain its mission of saving and healing lives through organ and tissue donation. The process itself is simple: a driver checks a box at the DMV or Driver Services counter, and that single “yes” makes transplantation possible for people in need. The impact of that choice is significant:
· One organ donor can save up to 8 lives.
· One tissue donor can save or heal up to 75 lives.
How to Get Involved
There are several easy ways to show appreciation for DMV and Driver Services staff this September:
· Visit or call your local office. Thank staff in person or by phone. Find a location: Colorado DMV offices | Wyoming Driver Services offices.
· Post on social media. Tag Colorado DMV on Facebook or Wyoming DOT on Facebook and mention Driver Services directly.
· Write a letter. Use the same office-locator links above to find a mailing address.
· Share your donation story. Personal stories are what connect DMV staff to the impact of their work — consider sharing yours with a local office employee.
How to Register as a Donor
You can register as an organ and tissue donor the next time you get or renew a driver’s license or state ID. You can also register anytime online:
· Register at Donate Life Colorado
· Register at Donate Life Wyoming
For background on the process, see the facts on organ and tissue donation.
FAQ
When is National DMV Appreciation Month?
Every September, organized by Donate Life America and regional Organ Procurement Organizations like Donor Alliance.
Why is the DMV connected to organ donation?
Because in most states, including Colorado and Wyoming, the DMV is where most people register as organ and tissue donors — about 99% in this region.
How many lives can one donor save?
One organ donor can save up to 8 lives. One tissue donor can save or heal up to 75 lives.
How do I become an organ donor?
Check the donor box when you get or renew your driver’s license or state ID, or register online anytime at Donate Life Colorado or Donate Life Wyoming.
Who is Donor Alliance?
Donor Alliance is the nonprofit Organ Procurement Organization that manages the Donate Life Colorado and Donate Life Wyoming donor registries.
Remember to learn the facts around organ and tissue donation. Then say “yes” and check the box to register the next time you obtain or renew your driver license or state ID. You can also register today at Donate Life Colorado.org or Donate Life Wyoming.org.
