Colorado drivers can use electronic ID in place of physical, highly recommended to still have physical copy

In Colorado, it is not required for drivers to carry a physical identification card while driving, but the driver must have some type of identification on them.  

This comes from State Bill SB24-090, stating that drivers can use an electronic document as proof, as long as the information can be easily seen. A passport does count as a physical ID.

CBS Colorado reached out to state Rep. Shannon Bird about this bill. Bird says the proposed update to the bill, making drivers physically having to carry their ID's while driving, was postponed at the end of their 2024 session of the General Assembly. This means a bill to make drivers physically carry their IDs while driving was never approved.

CBS Colorado reached out to Colorado State Patrol about this bill. Troopers say you still need to have a physical ID when traveling out of state by driving or flying. An electronic ID cannot be used to fly out of the Denver International Airport. If you are traveling out of state, other states may not take the electronic copy.

Troopers say even though the bill was not approved into law, drivers are recommended to still carry their physical ID. Troopers say if you get into a crash, this is an extra level of protection for you.

"If your phone may have lost power, is now broken from a crash or left somewhere, this takes your option away from you when compared to having that physical copy on your person," Trooper Gabriel Moltrer, Colorado State Patrol said.

The My Colorado app can be used to show an electronic version of your ID. Go to your apps, type in My Colorado and fill in the blanks. This is free for everyone to use.

An electronic driver's license can be obtained through the digital app, My Colorado.

Editor's note: An earlier version of this story stated that drivers must carry a physical driver's license in Colorado and they would be cited if it was not on hand.