Colorado vehicle sales in 2012 increased by 21.9 percent over the previous year, according to the latest data from the Colorado Automotive Dealers Association.

For the month of December, vehicle registrations were up 20.1 percent when compared to December 2011.

"In 2012, we delivered the largest percentage increase in new car sales in the last 50 years," said Tim Jackson, president of the association. "While registrations have been on the rise for the last four years, they have not kept up with Colorado's significant population growth, which represents opportunity for more sales."

For the year, Colorado outpaced the nation as a whole for increases in vehicle sales. The U.S. posted an increase of 13 percent for the year when compared to 2011.