The blue fade series of passenger markers began to be issued in 2000 and they have been so nicknamed as the aluminum base has bonded to it a plastic sheeting that fades from a light blue on the top to white on the bottom.  Both the name of the state, depicted as ”Connecticut” and the state motto “Constitution State” now have only the initial letter of each word capitalized.  These words and the map of Connecticut in the upper left corner are painted in dark blue and come preprinted in the plastic sheeting.  The numbers, dot and letters as well as the border are painted a dark blue after being stamped.  A repeating state logo hologram, running vertically, has been placed in the center of the marker to discourage counterfeiting. 

This series of passenger markers started at number 100.NZN and the DMV is currently issuing them in the “T--” range.  By late 2002, after a concentrated two-year program, the DMV had replaced all of the previous white-on-blue passenger markers.  The old style markers are obsolete and no longer legal to use.