New Colorado Bill Could Allow New Immigrants Driver’s Licenses

As we’re getting past the midway point of the Second Regular Session of the Seventy-fourth General Assembly, Colorado lawmakers are considering a new bill.

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One of the major bills that got the session started was to ban the use of cellphones for drivers across Colorado. 

The bill does have a few exceptions, but they all require hands-free accessories. It is meant to lower the amount of distracted driving crashes in the state. 

However, another driving related bill has been proposed at the General Assembly, and it involves undocumented immigrants’ ability to obtain driver’s licenses. 

Measure SB24-128 Looks to Give Undocumented Immigrants Immediate Access to a Driver’s License

According to an article written by Andrew Kenney of Colorado Public Radio, the measure would allow undocumented immigrants the ability to obtain a license immediately. 

In the past, it would take undocumented immigrants two years to obtain a license.

The measure was supported by Senator Julie Gonzales and Jeff Bridges, along with Representative Tim Hernández. Bridges noted that,”...we’re creating barriers to folks that are on our roads anyways.”

People against the bill have noted that the bill could draw in more undocumented immigrants. 

Will There Be Any Requirements for Immigrants to Obtain Driver’s Licenses in Colorado? 

There will, in fact, be a couple of barriers for undocumented immigrants to obtain a driver’s license in Colorado.

 The person applying for a license will need one of the following: a photocopy of a passport from the applicant’s country of origin, a voter identification card from their country of origin, or an identifying document from the US Department of Homeland Security, it’s contractors or subcontractors, or the Department of Justice.

Finally, other forms of identification they can use is a driver’s license, learner’s permit, or identification card issued by the applicant's country of origin.