A new bill moving through the Colorado legislature aims to strengthen civil rights protections for immigrants by eliminating an affidavit requirement tied to drivers licenses and in-state tuition.
Senate Bill 25-276, Protect Civil Rights Immigration Status, considers measures to prevent violating people’s civil rights in Colorado based on their immigration status.
If passed, the bill would repeal current affidavit requirements that all persons who do not have lawful immigration status submit an affidavit stating they either have or will apply for lawful presence as soon as they are eligible. This comes up when someone is applying for either in-state tuition or state identification, pursuant to the “Colorado Road and Community Safety Act.”
That was a law passed in 2018 which allows a person who is not lawfully present in the United States to still obtain a driver’s license or identification card, so long as they are able to present a taxpayer identification card or a social security number.
The 2018 law was also intended to help the state more accurately track spending in the education sector and allocation of taxpayer dollars toward road maintenance, emergency vehicles and police officers.
While it might seem as though the 2018 law is harmless to immigrants and beneficial by providing a legal pathway to obtain a driver’s license or in-state tuition, immigration advocates have presented a very different argument through SB 25-276.
The prime sponsors of the bill, Senators Julie Gonzales and Mike Weissman and Representatives Lorena García and Elizabeth Velasco, have called the 2018 legislation “dangerous … a violation of personal privacy … harmful” and “anti-American.”
In a press release about the bill from Velasco’s office, the Glenwood Springs-based Democrat said that SB 25-276 is her priority legislation this year.
In reference to herself and the other sponsors, she wrote in a press release, “We have been working on this bill since immediately after the 2024 election, knowing that immigrants in this country would come under even more terrifying attacks, which we have seen unfold every day since Jan. 20.”
“After months of intensive stakeholding, we are proud to present a bill that enhances Colorado’s existing laws by expanding policies around personal data, schools and healthcare facilities,” she wrote. As well as “enhancing law enforcement transparency to ensure fair treatment under the law.”
“Strengthening these policies has critical public safety, community and economic implications for all Coloradans,” she continued. “We are proud to live in a state that values all of its residents, that acknowledges that immigrants are essential to the fabric of our communities economically, culturally and socially.”
“Colorado thrives when everyone, regardless of immigration status, is able to live, work and access basic services without fear,” Velasco concluded. “We look forward to passing this bill and holding strong to our values as a state, and as a party.”
The bill was introduced on April 4 and a second, amended version of the bill was introduced on April 15 and passed the Senate, but its fate remains undetermined at this point.