As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 12, 2012

Securities Act File No. 333-148826

Investment Company Act File No. 811-22175

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM N-1A

(Check appropriate box or boxes)

ALPS ETF TRUST

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

1290 Broadway

Suite 1100

Denver, Colorado 80203

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(303) 623-2577

Registrant’s Telephone Number

Tané T. Tyler, Esq.

ALPS Fund Services, Inc.

1290 Broadway

Suite 1100

Denver, Colorado 80203

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

Copy to:

Stuart M. Strauss, Esq.

Dechert LLP

1095 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10036

It is proposed that this filing will become effective:

If appropriate, check the following box:

This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant certifies that it meets all the requirements for effectiveness of this Registration Statement pursuant to rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 66 of its Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the city of Denver, and State of Colorado, on the 12th day of April, 2012.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.

*Signature affixed by Tané T. Tyler pursuant to a power of attorney dated December 8, 2008.

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