Where to renew in Denver County
In Denver County, you renew your driver's license at the Colorado Department of Revenue's Driver License Division. There is one main office in Denver that handles renewals for the entire county. You can renew in person at 1881 Pierce Street, Denver, CO 80202, or you can renew by mail if you meet certain conditions.
The Driver License Division is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and closed on state holidays. If you go in person, expect to wait. The office does not take appointments for renewals, so arrival time affects how long you wait. Going early in the morning or mid-week typically means shorter lines than late afternoon or Fridays.
You can also renew online through the Colorado Department of Revenue website if your license is not expired and you have not had a name change, address change, or medical condition change since your last renewal. Online renewal takes about 10 minutes and costs less than renewing in person.
Key Takeaways
- Denver County renewals happen at one location: 1881 Pierce Street, or online through the Colorado Department of Revenue website.
- You need your current license, proof of residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement), and payment in the form of cash, check, or card.
- In-person renewal takes about 30 minutes once you reach the counter, but wait times vary from 15 minutes to over an hour depending on when you arrive.
- Online renewal is available only if your license is not expired and nothing about your identity or address has changed since your last renewal.
- A standard five-year renewal costs $28.25 in Colorado; a ten-year renewal costs $56.50.
What documents you need to bring
For an in-person renewal at the Denver County office, bring your current Colorado driver's license and one document that proves your current address. Proof of residency can be a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. A government-issued ID from another state does not count as proof of address.
You also need a valid payment method. The Driver License Division accepts cash, check, and debit or credit card. If you are renewing by mail, you will mail your current license along with a completed process form and a check or money order. Do not send cash through the mail.
If your name has changed since your last renewal—through marriage, divorce, or court order—you will need to bring the document that proves the change: a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. A name change means you cannot renew online and must renew in person or by mail.
How to renew online
Online renewal through the Colorado Department of Revenue website is the fastest option if you are may be able to access. You are may be able to access if your current license is not expired, your name and address have not changed, and you have no medical conditions that need to be reported to the state. The process takes about 10 minutes.
Go to the Colorado Department of Revenue Driver License Division website, select "Renew Your Driver License," and follow the prompts. You will need your current license number and the last four digits of your Social Security number. You pay the renewal fee with a debit or credit card. Your new license will be mailed to your address on file within 7 to 10 business days.
Online renewal costs $28.25 for a five-year license. This is cheaper than renewing in person, which costs $28.25 plus a $2 service fee. If you want a ten-year license, you cannot renew online; you must renew in person or by mail.
Renewing by mail from Denver County
You can renew by mail if your license is not expired and you have not had a name change or address change. read the process for Driver License or Identification Card (Form DL-44) from the Colorado Department of Revenue website, or call the Denver office at (720) 688-1666 to request one by mail.
Fill out the form completely, sign it, and mail it with your current license and a check or money order for the renewal fee. Mail everything to: Colorado Department of Revenue, Driver License Division, 1881 Pierce Street, Denver, CO 80202. Do not send cash. Processing by mail takes 2 to 3 weeks from the date the office receives your envelope.
Mail renewal is useful if you cannot take time off work or if you live far from the Denver office. However, if anything about your process is incomplete or unclear, the office will mail it back to you, which adds another week or more to the process. Call ahead if you have questions about what to include.
In-person renewal at the Denver office
Walk into the office at 1881 Pierce Street with your current license, proof of address, and payment. Take a number from the dispenser near the entrance. Wait for your number to be called, then hand your documents to the clerk at the counter.
The clerk will verify your information, take a new photo, and process your payment. The entire transaction at the counter takes about 5 to 10 minutes. Your new license will be mailed to your address on file within 7 to 10 business days. You will receive a temporary paper license that day if you ask for one, though it is not required.
Bring cash or a card if possible. The office accepts checks, but processing them takes longer. If you need your license the same day—for example, because you need it for travel—you cannot get it at the Denver County office. Colorado does not issue same-day licenses at any location.
Renewal fees and license validity
A standard five-year renewal license costs $28.25. A ten-year renewal license costs $56.50. These are the base fees; the in-person office charges an additional $2 service fee, making in-person renewal $30.25 for five years or $58.50 for ten years. Online renewal has no service fee, so it costs $28.25 for five years.
Your new license will be valid for the number of years you choose at renewal. If you renew a five-year license, it will expire five years from the date you renew. Colorado does not extend your old expiration date; the new license starts fresh from the renewal date.
If your current license is already expired, you cannot renew online or by mail. You must renew in person at the Denver office. An expired license is treated as a new process, not a renewal, and requires additional documents such as proof of Social Security number and proof of legal presence in the United States.
What happens after you renew
Your new license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days of your renewal, whether you renewed online, by mail, or in person. The office will mail it to the address on file in your account. If you moved recently and updated your address before renewing, your new license will go to your new address.
If you renewed in person and asked for a temporary paper license, you can use that to drive legally until your plastic card arrives. The temporary license is valid for 30 days. If your new license does not arrive within 10 business days, call the Denver office at (720) 688-1666 to check the status.
Once your new license arrives, destroy your old one. You do not need to return it to the state. If your old license is lost or stolen before your new one arrives, call the Denver office when ready to report it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Denver license if I live outside Colorado now?
No. Colorado requires you to be a resident to hold a Colorado driver's license. If you have moved out of state, you should get a license from your new state instead. If you still live in Colorado but moved out of Denver County, you can still renew at the Denver office, but you should update your address first.
What if I need my license before the new one arrives?
Ask for a temporary paper license when you renew in person. It is valid for 30 days and works for driving and most ID purposes. If you renewed by mail or online, you cannot get a temporary license. If you need to drive before your new license arrives, you can use your old license until it expires.
Do I have to renew in person if my address changed?
Yes. If your address has changed since your last renewal, you cannot renew online or by mail. You must renew in person at the Denver office and bring proof of your new address. Update your address at the same time you renew.
What if I lost my current license?
You cannot renew a lost license. Instead, you must get a replacement at the Denver office. A replacement is treated differently from a renewal and requires additional documents. Call (720) 688-1666 to find out what you need to bring.
Can I get a ten-year license by mail or online?
No. Ten-year licenses are only available if you renew in person at the Denver office. Online and mail renewals are limited to five-year licenses. If you want a ten-year license, you must visit 1881 Pierce Street.