Colorado’s top prosecutor on Thursday warned immigrants of exploitative schemes and scams targeting applicants seeking a driver’s license under the state’s program for those living in the country illegally.
Attorney General Cynthia Coffman says her office is working with the Division of Motor Vehicles to investigate whether purchasing and selling appointments to get a license breaks state law.
“Our office received information from the DMV that a number of people were hoarding appointment times and then selling those appointments at prices that range from $50 to as high as $1,000,” Coffman said in a statement.
Prosecutors are asking for people with information about the schemes to come forward.
The announcement comes three days after The Denver Post reported lawmakers have been outraged by reports of such activity surrounding the cash-strapped program.
“We’ve created an environment that is facilitating scams and rip-off artists,” state Sen. Pat Steadman, D-Denver, said. “That really upsets me.”
The licenses are available by appointment at just three locations, and there are about 90 slots each day. There could be as many as 150,000 in Colorado who are living in the country illegally and eligible to apply, according to estimates by immigrant advocates.
Jesse Paul: 303-954-1733, jpaul@denverpost.com or @JesseAPaul