Colorado REAL ID: What You Need to Know

Starting on May 3, 2023, your Colorado Driver's license must be REAL ID-compliant if you want to use it to board a domestic flight.
Written by Kevin Martinez
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
As of May 3, 2023,
Colorado
drivers will only be allowed to use their driver's licenses to board a domestic flight if it meets the compliance standards set by the 2005 REAL ID Act.
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What is a REAL ID?

After 9/11, conversations about how to better protect national security interests have continued more and more every day. As a result of these conversations, along with recommendations from the 9/11 Commission, Congress drafted and passed the
REAL ID Act
in 2005, which aims to create a new standard for IDs nationwide—this includes driver's licenses.
While the rollout has been slow due to many external factors, one of them being the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the act is set to be officially enforced by 2023.

Who needs a REAL ID?

With a starting date of May 3, 2023, a REAL ID will be required nationwide to do the following:
  • Gain entry to Federal facilities, including military bases.
  • Enter a nuclear plant
  • Board any commercial aircraft—including for domestic flights.
Unless you work at a federal facility or need access to a local nuclear plant, chances are those requirements won't impact you too much. However, if you're hoping to continue to use your Colorado license to prove your identity before TSA to get on a domestic flight, you'll want to change your
Colorado driver's license
to a REAL ID-compliant one by 2023.
Something to note is that even if you don't get a REAL ID-compliant license by the Spring 2023 deadline, you'll still be able to use other documentation to prove your identity to board a flight. For more information on this, check out the TSA's
acceptable forms of identification
list on their website.
Key Takeaway: The REAL ID Act will change the acceptable standards of what constitutes legal identification documents, which will take effect during Spring 2023.

How to get a Colorado REAL ID?

Colorado drivers—if you're looking to change your ID to a REAL ID, just follow these simple steps:
  • Take advantage of Colorado's DMV ID checklist, which will ask you to bring proof of what constitutes legal identification.
  • Schedule an appointment to visit your local DMV, where you'll submit all required documentation.
  • Submit payment and anticipate your new REAL ID to arrive by mail to the address provided within 10-14 business days or 30 days maximum.
The fee for obtaining a REAL ID in Colorado for drivers under 60 years old is $12.67, and for drivers over 60 years old, it's free. 
Keep in mind, since 2012, most Colorado driver licenses and identification cards have been REAL ID-compliant, so you may be lucky enough to skip this whole process. Check for a star in the corner of your license or ID to see if it’s a REAL ID. However, some credentials, such as
CO-RCSA licenses
and identification cards, do not have a gold or black star, making them non-REAL ID-compliant.
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FAQs

The best way to assess whether or not you'll need a REAL ID is by using the Department of Homeland Security's website to verify if your state's ID meets their standards. If you want to use your license to board a domestic flight after May 3, 2023, however, you'll be required to have a REAL-ID compliant license or ID.
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