Colorado Issues Real ID-Compliant Driver's Licenses

Yes, Colorado driver's licenses are Real ID-compliant. Since January 2020, Colorado has issued only Real ID-compliant licenses and identification cards. If you hold a Colorado driver's license or ID card issued after that date, it meets federal Real ID standards and can be used for domestic air travel and entry to federal facilities without additional documents.

Colorado's Real ID-compliant licenses display a gold star in the upper right corner of the card. This star is the federal marker that tells TSA agents, federal building security, and other authorities that your license meets Real ID requirements. You do not need a separate Real ID document if your Colorado license carries this star.

If your Colorado license was issued before January 2020, it does not have the gold star and is not Real ID-compliant. You can still use it for domestic air travel and federal building entry until May 7, 2025, but after that date you will need either a Real ID-compliant license, a passport, a passport card, or another federally-approved document.

Key Takeaways

  • Colorado driver's licenses issued after January 2020 display a gold star and are Real ID-compliant for all federal purposes.
  • Licenses issued before January 2020 do not have the gold star and will not work for domestic air travel or federal building entry after May 7, 2025.
  • You can renew your license in person at a Colorado DMV office or by mail if you meet specific conditions, and a renewal will issue you a Real ID-compliant card with the gold star.
  • Colorado also offers a non-compliant ID option if you choose not to provide the documents required for Real ID, but this card cannot be used for federal purposes.

How to Tell If Your Colorado License Is Real ID-Compliant

The gold star is the only marker you need to check. Look at the upper right corner of your license card. If a gold star appears there, your license is Real ID-compliant. If there is no star, your license was issued before Colorado's Real ID rollout and does not meet federal standards.

The expiration date on your license does not determine compliance. A license that expired in 2022 but was issued in 2021 still has the gold star and is compliant. A license that does not expire until 2026 but was issued in 2019 does not have the star and is not compliant. The issue date matters, not the expiration date.

You can also check your license status through the Colorado Department of Revenue website by entering your driver's license number, though the visual check of the gold star is the fastest method.

Getting a Real ID-Compliant License in Colorado

If your current license does not have the gold star, you have two paths: renew your license or replace it. Both processes result in a Real ID-compliant card, but they have different timelines and document requirements.

A renewal is the standard path if your license is not yet expired. You can renew in person at any Colorado DMV office or by mail if you meet the mail renewal conditions (your license must not be expired by more than five years, you must not have any address changes, and you must not have any name changes). A mail renewal takes about two weeks. An in-person renewal is processed the same day and you receive your new card when ready.

A replacement is what you need if your license is already expired or if you have had a name or address change since your last license was issued. Replacements must be done in person at a DMV office. You will receive your new card the same day.

Both renewals and replacements require proof of identity, proof of Colorado residency, and your Social Security number. If you are renewing by mail, you will submit these documents along with your process form. If you are renewing or replacing in person, bring the original documents to the DMV office.

Documents You Need for a Real ID License in Colorado

Colorado requires three categories of documents for any Real ID license transaction: proof of identity, proof of residency, and your Social Security number (or a letter from the Social Security Administration if you do not have a number).

Proof of identity can be a U.S. passport, passport card, military ID, or certified birth certificate. A school ID, work ID, or credit card does not count. If you are using a certified birth certificate, you must also bring a second form of ID that shows your name and date of birth — a school ID or work ID will work for this second form.

Proof of residency must show your current Colorado address. Acceptable documents include a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, property tax bill, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. A government check, W-2, or 1099 form also works. A credit card bill or cell phone bill does not count. If you have recently moved and do not yet have a document in your new address, you can bring a lease agreement or a letter from your landlord on letterhead confirming your residency.

You must bring your Social Security card or a letter from the Social Security Administration. If you do not have a Social Security number, bring the letter from SSA instead. Without one of these, the DMV cannot issue your license.

Timeline and Fees for Colorado Real ID Licenses

The cost of a Real ID license in Colorado depends on whether you are renewing or replacing and how long you want the license to be valid. A standard renewal or replacement for a driver's license costs $28.50 and is valid for five years. If you want a license valid for eight years, the cost is $40.50. An ID card (non-driver) costs $20 for five years or $28 for eight years.

If you renew by mail, allow two to three weeks for processing and delivery. If you renew or replace in person at a DMV office, you receive your card the same day. Walk-in service is available at most Colorado DMV offices, but wait times vary by location and time of day. You can also schedule an appointment online through the Colorado Department of Revenue website, which often reduces your wait time to 15 to 30 minutes.

If you need your license urgently and cannot wait for mail processing, an in-person visit is your only option. Some Colorado DMV offices are busier than others; calling ahead or checking the online appointment system will tell you which offices have shorter waits.

Non-Compliant ID Option in Colorado

Colorado offers a non-compliant ID card for people who do not want to provide the documents required for Real ID. This card does not have the gold star and cannot be used for domestic air travel or entry to federal buildings. It can be used for state purposes like banking, voting, and driving.

The non-compliant option requires fewer documents than a Real ID license. You still need proof of identity and proof of residency, but you do not need to provide your Social Security number. This option is available to people who have privacy concerns or who do not have a Social Security number and do not have a letter from the Social Security Administration.

If you choose the non-compliant option now and later decide you need a Real ID-compliant license, you can upgrade by visiting a DMV office with the required documents. There is no penalty for switching from non-compliant to compliant.

What Happens After May 7, 2025

After May 7, 2025, a non-Real ID-compliant license will no longer be accepted for domestic air travel or entry to federal buildings. TSA will require either a Real ID-compliant license, a passport, a passport card, a military ID, a tribal ID, or a trusted traveler card (such as Global Entry or NEXUS).

If your Colorado license does not have the gold star and you plan to fly domestically or enter a federal building after May 7, 2025, you must renew or replace your license before that date. The important date applies nationwide, not just in Colorado. Even if you live in Colorado, you cannot use a non-compliant license for federal purposes after that date.

If you wait until after May 7, 2025 to get a Real ID-compliant license, you will still be able to obtain one, but you will not be able to use your old license for federal purposes in the meantime. Plan ahead if you travel frequently or work in a federal building.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my old Colorado license for air travel if it does not have a gold star?

Yes, until May 7, 2025. After that date, TSA will not accept it. You will need a Real ID-compliant license, passport, passport card, military ID, or another federally-approved document. If you fly before May 7, 2025, your non-compliant license is still valid.

Do I have to get a Real ID license, or can I keep using a non-compliant one?

You can keep a non-compliant license for state purposes like driving and voting indefinitely. However, you cannot use it for domestic air travel or federal building entry after May 7, 2025. If you do not fly or enter federal buildings, a non-compliant license works fine.

How long does it take to get a Real ID license by mail in Colorado?

Mail renewals take two to three weeks from the time the DMV receives your process. In-person renewals and replacements are processed the same day. If you need your license quickly, visit a DMV office in person or schedule an online appointment.

What if I lost my Social Security card and do not have a letter from SSA?

Contact the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local Social Security office to request a replacement card or a letter confirming your number. You cannot get a Real ID-compliant license without one of these documents, but you can get a non-compliant ID card instead.

Can I renew my Colorado license online?

No, Colorado does not offer online renewal. You can renew by mail or in person at a DMV office. Mail renewal is available only if your license is not expired by more than five years and you have no address or name changes. Otherwise, you must visit a DMV office in person.