Colorado on Friday began issuing driver’s licenses to people who can’t “demonstrate lawful presence in the U.S.”
The distribution of licenses to immigrants who are here illegally — by way of Senate Bill 251, known as the Colorado Road and Community Safety Act — began 8 a.m. at select motor-vehicle offices across the state.
The issuance of licenses under the bill is by appointment only “to ensure that customers will receive service by employees trained in the new processes and procedures,” according to the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicle.
So far, about 10,000 people statewide have made appointments seeking driver licenses, said Barbara Brohl, executive director of the Colorado Department of Revenue.
People participating began making appointments July 1.
The department reported that 155 people had appointments for Friday. A total of 62 driver’s licenses and 23 permits were issued. Five ID cards were issued, seven people failed to show up and 58 people did not receive any document.
Brohl said the process has been manageable and orderly.
Among the first in the state to start the process was Denver resident Rosa Mireles.
Mireles, speaking in Spanish while awaiting the driving segment of her tests at the Denver Motor Vehicle Office on West Mississippi Avenue, said she’s “grateful and thankful.”
When she receives a license, Mireles will no longer have to drive in fear of being stopped by police and cited for driving illegally, she said.
The issuance of licenses is a matter of “public safety,” Brohl said.
Drivers who pass exams and driving tests will be safer drivers, Brohl said, and they’ll also be more likely to be insured.
The license, when issued, will bear a slightly different banner than a standard Colorado driver’s license. Bearers of the CRCSA license will not be able to use them as valid federal identification, or for voting or state benefits, Brohl said.
