19-03-2025
New law eases rules for immigrants to get driver's licenses, IDs in Colorado
DENVER (KDVR) — A new law goes into effect at the end of March that reduces the wait times and other requirements for immigrants to get United States driver's licenses and identification cards in Colorado.
Senate Bill 24-182, 'Immigrant Identification Document Issuance,' made its way through the Senate in 2024 and was backed by democratic senators Julie Gonzalez, Jeff Bridges, Tim Hernández and Elizabeth Velasco.
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The bill, approved by Gov. Jared Polis in June 2024, will allow the 'Colorado Road and Community Safety Act' to authorize driver's licenses or identification cards to people who aren't 'lawfully present' in the country if they meet certain requirements.
The bill is going into effect on March 31, and starting at the end of the month, the bill said IDs can be given to people who sign an affidavit that they are currently a resident, present evidence of residency in Colorado and have an unexpired, or expired less than 10 years, passport, military ID or identification card from their origin country.
The bill also authorizes exception processing, which it said is a hearing to determine whether an applicant has sufficient evidence to prove they qualify for an ID.
The new bill changes the current rules by taking away requirements that applicants have to file a Colorado resident income tax return, show residency in the state for two years and show a documented social security number or individual taxpayer identification number.
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Eventually, the bill allows prolongated rules about exception processing and the use of IDs. The bill said after Jan. 1, 2027, the rules for exceptions can be prolongated, but they must still address specific requirements.
For the 2024-25 state fiscal year, the act is giving $122,855 to the Department of Revenue from the highway users tax fund. The bill said $14,355 of the sum is going to the governor's office for the Office of Information Technology.
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