Colorado Celebrates 10 Years of CO-RCSA: All DMV Offices Now Offer Services to Undocumented Residents
CO-RCSA Program Proves Successful in Licensing Over 250,000 Undocumented Residents and International Students
Colorado celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Colorado Road and Community Safety Act (CO-RCSA) on June 2nd with an announcement from Gov. Jared Polis and the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) that all 36 state driver's license offices are now providing services to undocumented residents.
CO-RCSA: A Decade of Success
“Here in Colorado, we know that our immigrants strengthen the fabric of who we are,” Gov. Polis said. “With the bipartisan SB251, over 250,000 Coloradans have been able to get their driver's licenses and insurance, making all of us safer on the roads and helping reduce automobile insurance rates for everyone, and we are proud to continue building on this important work today and expand access to all DMV locations.”
This legislation was signed into law on June 5, 2013, by then-Gov. John Hickenlooper empowered undocumented residents and international students to legally acquire a Colorado driver license or identification card.
Positive Impact of the Legislation
The program has made significant strides since its inception. "Ten years ago, we signed the Colorado Road and Community Safety Act into law to empower new Coloradans — like international students and immigrants — to drive their families to work, school, medical appointments, and the supermarket,” Sen. Hickenlooper said. “Expanding where the program is offered will make our roads safer and cut red tape for folks working toward their American dream.”
DMV Senior Director Electra Bustle praised the legislation, saying it has made Colorado roads safer. “This legislation allowed all Coloradans to get properly trained, credentialed, and insured," said Bustle. "Since 2013, the DMV has issued 252,396 driver licenses, ID cards, and instruction permits under the CO-RCSA. We are also excited to expand this service to all of our State driver license offices, making it more convenient for these customers.”
CO-RCSA Services Expand Statewide
Originally, the DMV offered CO-RCSA services at just four driver license offices — Colorado Springs, Grand Junction, Lakewood, and Lakewood Westgate. As of this year, all 36 DMV offices across the state and DMV2GO are now providing these services.
In addition, the DMV is streamlining the program's nomenclature to better align with other states, calling credentials issued under the CO-RCSA program “standard” driver licenses and ID cards since they are not REAL ID compliant.
Nonprofits Support the Cause
Nancy Díaz, the founder of Lamar Unidos and a member of the I Drive Coalition, expressed her enthusiasm about the program's success. The I Drive Coalition is a group of organizations and community leaders working to ensure that all Coloradans, regardless of status, have access to a license or ID.
Undocumented residents can schedule an appointment by calling 303-205-2335 or by visiting DMV.Colorado.gov/AppointmentScheduling. The DMV also partners with nonprofit organizations to help applicants with the licensing process; a list of these partners can be found at DMV.Colorado.gov/nonprofit-co-rcsa-partners.
Expanding the CO-RCSA services to all DMV offices in the state means greater access to training and licensing services for Coloradans. This move helps ensure that all motorists in the state are licensed and insured, contributing to safer roads for all residents.