REAL ID and Colorado

REAL ID Compliance

Countdown to May 7, 2025 Deadline

Who is eligible and who is not eligible for a REAL ID in Colorado?

Eligible for REAL ID:  

Colorado residents who are eligible for a federally compliant REAL ID will be issued a REAL ID and include the following groups of individuals: 

• US Citizens
• Permanently Lawfully Present 
• Citizens of Freely Associated States 
• CDL Applicants (whether temporary or permanent)

All applicants must provide proof of identity, lawful presence, and Colorado residency. You must also provide your Social Security number, which will be verified through the Social Security Administration. This applies even if you transfer your REAL ID credential from another state. Check out our New to Colorado page for more information. See what you need here: Identification Requirement Charts 

Not Eligible for a REAL ID:  

Colorado residents not eligible for REAL ID credentials include the following groups of individuals:

• Undocumented/Non-Lawfully Present 
• Temporarily Lawfully Present

These credentials are issued under the Colorado Roads and Community Safety Act (CO-RCSA) and have a black banner on the front which reads "NOT VALID FOR FEDERAL IDENTIFICATION, VOTING, OR FEDERAL PUBLIC BENEFIT PURPOSES." Individuals with this credential will not be able to use it at TSA after May 7, 2025.  Find out more about the Standard Credentials at our Standard License and ID page.
 

What is the REAL ID Act?

Effective May 7, 2025​ federal requirements will require you to comply with the REAL ID Act. Having a REAL ID compliant driver license or ID card will be necessary to board commercial aircraft or gain access to federal facilities.

To be considered REAL ID compliant, you must have the required (original or certified copy) documents on file with the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles.

Passed by Congress in 2005, the REAL ID Act complies with the 9/11 Commission's recommendation that the federal government set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver licenses. The Act established minimum security standards for state-issued driver licenses and identification cards and prohibits federal agencies from accepting licenses and identification cards from states that do not meet these standards for official purposes, such as at airport security checkpoints. For more information on REAL ID, visit the Department of Homeland Security's website.

Is Colorado REAL ID compliant?

Colorado has been REAL ID compliant since 2012. This means that REAL ID eligible Coloradans currently have our REAL IDs. Our customers were either issued a REAL ID during their first issuance of a Colorado credential or when they renewed their existing Colorado credential between 2013 and 2025. If you are a US Citizen, Permanently Lawfully Present, Citizen of Freely Associated States or a CDL Holder, your Colorado credential is already REAL ID compliant- so there is nothing you need to do!

Colorado credentials with a black banner, known as Standard credentials, are not REAL ID compliant, do not have the “star” and cannot be used for federal purposes like flying, voting or federal public benefits. These credentials cannot be upgraded to REAL ID compliant. 

How do I tell if my license or ID card is REAL ID compliant?

Your credential should have a REAL ID compliant “star” on its front. Colorado has been REAL ID compliant since 2013 and all Colorado federally compliant REAL ID credentials have either a black star (new design as of 2020) or a gold star (pre-2020). 

Can I fly commercially if I don't have a REAL ID-compliant credential after May 7, 2025?

Beginning May 7, 2025, adult travelers over 18 must present a REAL ID-compliant license, identification card, or an acceptable alternative, or they will not be permitted through the security checkpoint. The TSA has a list of other acceptable identifications that can be used at checkpoints instead of real ID-compliant credentials.

Can I use my Colorado temporary permit to fly?
According to the TSA website, a temporary driver’s license is not an acceptable form of identification.  However, TSA currently accepts expired IDs up to a year after expiration. For TSA's list of acceptable forms of identification, please click here.

The Colorado Temporary Permit states, "This receipt is not a REAL ID proof of identity document. Your expired license will be required in conjunction with this receipt for airline travel.”

Before traveling, check the TSA website in case acceptable documents have changed.

Will I be able to enter a federal facility if I don’t have a REAL ID compliant credential after May 7, 2025?

Residents who need to access a federal facility that requires identification for entry should consult with the policy of the agency operating that facility before arriving.