Colorado’s driver’s handbook has been translated into Spanish, roughly two weeks after the state began issuing licenses to those in the country illegally.
The untranslated manual was one of many highly criticized aspects of the state’s new law allowing immigrants licenses. Latino activists and community members see the implementation of the law as being poorly resourced.
The Division of Motor Vehicles said it heard rumors that unofficially translated handbooks were being sold on the black market, warning applicants that those could contain false information or translations.
The translated manual is now available, for free, on the department’s website, the department announced Friday.
The licenses are being handled by appointment only. At the close of last week, roughly half of applicants scheduled for appointments to obtain the licenses received some documentation, be it a driver’s license, driver’s permit or an identification card. Many of those who were not issued any documents did not show up for their appointed slot.
Representatives of the immigrant community are angered that only five of the 56 licensing centers are holding appointments for the new licenses. Under the current system, the department has 155 appointment slots available each day.
Colorado has a population of some 150,000 living in the country illegally. The Denver Post determined that some immigrants could have to wait almost four years before a slot would be available.
The state began issuing the licenses Aug. 1.
Jesse Paul: 303-954-1733, jpaul@denverpost.com or twitter.com/jesseapaul
