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The Federal government is changing the state ID cards they'll be accepting as a form of identifications, does Colorado's pass?

The change in acceptable IDs started back in 2005  when Congress passed the REAL ID Act in response to 9/11. The act established minimum standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards in order to make it more difficult for terrorists to produce phony IDs, and in the process evade detection.

The compliant ID cards are needed to enter any federal facility that requires an ID, or military base, as well as for air travel. REAL ID does not apply to voting, applying for federal benefits, being licensed to drive, or participating in legal proceedings or investigations.

Many states who have not yet become REAL ID-compliant were granted extensions - and for some of those states, the deadline is January 30, 2017.

According to Homeland Security, the State of Colorado is compliant with the REAL ID act, which means driver's licenses currently being issued by the state will be accepted by federal agencies. If have not yet received an ID that is compliant with the state of Colorado, here's what it means to you.

  • As of January 22, 2018, you can continue to use your license to fly in the U.S. and access Federal facilities and nuclear power plants
  • As of October 1, 2020, your driver's license must be REAL ID compliant. This is the date when all air-travelers will need a REAL ID-compliant license or will have to have another acceptable form of identification for domestic air travel.

Colorado started issuing the new licenses last year. If your Colorado driver's license does not look like the one in the photo above, you are not yet REAL ID compliant, but the next driver's license you get from the state will be acceptable.

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