Ritter urged to veto driver's license bill

April Washington, Rocky Mountain News

Thursday, May 17, 2007

A bill that would make it easier to get a Colorado driver's license also would encourage illegal immigration and therefore Gov. Bill Ritter should veto it, a coalition of political leaders said Wednesday.

House Bill 1313 would expand the list of documents a person could use to prove residency and citizenship, undercutting efforts to curb illegal immigration, identity theft and terrorist threats, said members of the group, including Secretary of State Mike Coffman and former Democratic Gov. Dick Lamm.

"This bill allows for the use of hospital records, school records, religious records and tax returns to provide proof of identity and lawful presence," Coffman said. "It's a dramatic shift from current practices and could open loopholes to allow individuals to obtain a driver's license or identification card who are not entitled to one."

The measure is one of 200 awaiting the governor's signature. Ritter is still studying the bill, said Evan Dreyer, Ritter's spokesman.

Backers of HB 1313 accused opponents of fear-mongering.

They say that the Department of Revenue, which oversees the Division of Motor Vehicles, has made it difficult for many lawful citizens - especially the homeless, senior citizens and children of immigrants born in the country - to obtain a license or photo ID.

Coffman and Lamm acknowledged that legitimate residents have been denied licenses and IDs but called the bill a "monstrous overreaction."