Department of Motor Vehicle, or DMV, locations across Colorado are opening additional slots for driver license applicants. This is especially good news for immigrants.
In 2013, Colorado lawmakers passes SB-251 which allows all Coloradans to obtain a standard driver license, regardless of immigration status. However, only a limited number of DMV office, at the time, were authorized to issue these licenses, creating potential months-long waits for immigrants. Additionally, many would have to travel several hours to a DMV office which resulted in missed work and additional travel costs.
This week, Colorado lawmakers added eight new DMV locations to the 11 already established that could process driver license applications for undocumented residents.
In addition to adding new locations, more appointment times have been added as well, six offices in the Denver metro area and two in northern Colorado.
"The latest expansion ensures the availability of appointments in areas of the state with the highest demand," states a news release from the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition.
“A license can be life changing for immigrant families. It can make the difference between being able to get to work, go to the doctor or pick up the kids at school. But this expansion also helps all Coloradans by making our roads and highways safer because more drivers will be properly licensed, registered, insured, and able to get their cars inspected,” said Marissa Molina, Colorado State Immigration Director for FWD.us. “In addition, it makes our state labor force more flexible as workers are able to get to and from work because they can now drive a car.”
Other states have seen similar advantages to providing access to driver licenses with a reduction in auto insurance premiums, an increase in insured drivers and safer roads, according to a study by the New York City Comptroller.
The new offices offering SB-251 driver license appointments are:
- Centennial - 10 appointments per day
- Golden - 10 appointments per day
- Parker - 10 appointments per day
- Denver NE - 15 appointments per day
- Northglenn - 20 appointments per day
- Westminster - 15 appointments per day
- Greeley - 20 appointments per day
- Sterling - 5 appointments per day
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