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The Iconic Credential

The Iconic Credential - a Card that reflects Colorado's natural majesty

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Coloradans deserve a driver license or I.D. card that's as beautiful as the Centennial State and with the Iconic Credential, they can now get one!

The Iconic Credential was designed by Coloradans, for Coloradans! The new card features artwork from Colorado photographers Matt Nunez (front side) and Gabriel Dupon (back side). More than 55,000 Coloradans voiced their choice, picking Nunez and Dupon over 400 other submissions by almost 120 entrants in 2020's Iconic Colorado contest.

Coloradans who would like to obtain the Iconic Credential can renew (or obtain) their driver license or ID card online via myDMV.Colorado.gov or the myColorado™ app; or in-office.

Credential renewals, as well as 44 other services including appointments, are available online at myDMV.Colorado.gov. Coloradans seeking in-office service will need to schedule an appointment and can find scheduling information, including a visual walkthrough, at DMV.Colorado.gov/AppointmentScheduling.

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How to Get the Iconic Credential

  • To receive the Iconic Credential, Coloradans can renew online via myDMV.Colorado.gov or the myColorado™ app; or schedule an appointment at DMV.Colorado.gov/AppointmentScheduling.
  • The Iconic Credential will be mailed to customers once processed
  • Coloradans should keep their temporary credentials until they receive their permanent card in the mail. They should then destroy the temporary credential after receiving their permanent license or ID.
  • Coloradans typically receive their permanent credentials in about 10 business days, but can check the status of their credential online by selecting “Where’s my Driver License/ID?” at myDMV.Colorado.gov.
  • If you haven’t received your new license or ID and have checked using myDMV, please email DOR_DMV_DL_returned_credentials@state.co.us 
  • The temporary document will be valid for 30 days to allow mailing time

CO-RCSA credentials

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  • Coloradans issued driver licenses, identification cards and instruction permits under the Colorado Road and Community Safety Act (CO-RCSA, SB13-251) will receive a similar design.
  • Card will contain a black box above the photo stating “Not Valid For Federal Identification, Voting or Public Benefit Purposes”
  • Card will not have a star indicating REAL ID compliance.

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Iconic Credential Information

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Design

  • The front image on the card is a depiction of Mount Sneffels, a mountain in the San Juan Mountain Range that is 14,158 feet tall and located west of Ouray and north of Telluride. 
  • The back image on the card is a depiction of Sprague Lake, a scenic lake in the Rocky Mountain National Park located south of Glacier Creek. 
  • New cards are secure and durable. The new card contains the latest technology that is extremely difficult for criminals to counterfeit and the card material is among the most durable on the market.
  • The cardholder’s photograph is black and white, and laser engraved to prevent duplication and enhance facial features. Color photo will remain on file. 
  • Star at top right indicates REAL ID compliance.
  • The new card will continue to support Coloradans who choose to be organ, eye and tissue donors. The heart indicator on their license will be gray-scaled with a “Y” in the middle and is located near the bottom right corner.
  • The new card will continue to support qualified military veterans who choose to have the military identifier or “Veteran” placed on their card.
  • Layout of the design corresponds to the age of the card holder: Horizontal – Adult; Vertical – Minor younger than 21 
  • The most recent driver license redesign was in 2015, before that the credential had been mostly unchanged since 2003.

Facts & Figures

  • The Iconic Colorado contest launched Aug. 17, 2020, with the goal of transforming Colorado’s driver licenses into the most beautiful in the world.
  • There were 407 design entries in the Iconic Colorado contest, which asked Colorado artists to help design the new credentials
  • 119 Colorado artists entered the contest.
  • 55,760 Coloradans voted on the background image of the credential.
  • Matt Nunez, a Colorado Springs-based photographer, won the front design portion of the contest with his photo of Mount Sneffels receiving 26,520 votes for a 47.56% share of the total.
  • Gabriel Dupon, a northern Colorado-based photographer, won the back design portion of the contest with his photo of Sprague Lake receiving 19,989 votes for a 35.85% share of the total.
  • The Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles spent less than $500 to implement this new credential, all of which was spent on social media marketing.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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The Iconic Credential is Colorado’s newest driver license and identification card. The artwork was chosen from over 400 entries in the Iconic Colorado contest, then over 55,000 Centennial State residents voted on the winners. The Iconic Credential was designed by Colorado for Colorado.  

The Iconic Credential is available now! Renew online today at myDMV.Colorado.gov or schedule an office appointment at DMV.Colorado.gov/AppointmentScheduling

You can renew your license or ID card online at myDMV.Colorado.gov or through the myColorado™ app; or schedule an office appointment at DMV.Colorado.gov/AppointmentScheduling

The Iconic Credential will cost the same as previous credentials. For more information, visit the DMV’s Fees webpage

New cards will be more secure and durable than the current Colorado card. The new card contains the latest technology that is extremely difficult for criminals to counterfeit and the card material is among the most durable on the market. The material is 100 % polycarbonate and uses laser engraving for the text, photo and other information. Cards have additional security features including raised print of specific customer information, semitransparent customer photo and ultraviolet markings.

Yes, your photo will be in black and white due to it being laser engraved to prevent duplication as well as enhance facial features, making it harder to duplicate.

Keep your current credential on you with a printout or screenshot of the myDMV renewal confirmation screen until you receive the Iconic Credential. Once you’ve received the new card, please destroy your old credential. 

Coloradans typically receive their permanent credentials in about 10 business days, but can check the status of their credential online by selecting “Where’s my Driver License/ID?” at myDMV.Colorado.gov

If you haven’t received your new license or ID and have checked using myDMV, please email DOR_DMV_DL_returned_credentials@state.co.us.

Yes, the Iconic Credential is REAL ID compliant unless you were issued a driver license or identification card under the Colorado Road and Community Safety Act (SB251) program. A quick way to verify your Iconic Credential is real ID compliant is to check for the star in the credential’s top right corner.

Media Kit

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