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First quarter 2023 Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) results indicate Colorado total nonfarm payroll jobs estimates will be revised up for this period with the release of benchmarked estimates in March 2024. March 2023 estimates are expected to be revised up by about 27,000 nonfarm payroll jobs, or nine-tenths of a percentage point. January and February 2023 estimates are expected to be revised up by 18,800 and 20,300, respectively.

Applying these results through July 2023 brings estimated total nonfarm payroll jobs in July to 2,934,800. This change brings over the year payroll job growth estimates through July 2023 to 62,300 or 2.2 percent.

The final March 2024 benchmarked series are expected to vary from these estimates due to new seasonal adjustment factors and new estimates of nonfarm payroll jobs not covered by the unemployment insurance program.

Industry sectors expected to undergo an upward revision to payroll jobs estimates in the 1st quarter1 include trade, transportation, and utilities (~9,800), education and health services (~7,800), financial activities (~4,100), construction (~3,200), professional and business services (~3,200), other services (~1,400), and information (~900). Government may also be revised up.

The industry sectors expected to undergo a downward revision to payroll jobs estimates are manufacturing (~2,000) and leisure and hospitality (~1,200). Mining and logging may also be revised down.

Payroll jobs estimates for the Denver (~21,800), Fort Collins (~2,200), and Colorado Springs (~2,000) Metropolitan Statistical Areas are expected to be revised up in the 1st quarter1. The Pueblo and Grand Junction Metropolitan Statistical Areas may also be revised up.

Total nonfarm payroll job estimates for the Greeley (~1,900) Metropolitan Statistical Area is expected to be revised down in the 1st quarter. Estimates for the Boulder Metropolitan Statistical Area may also be revised downward.

1 Values shown are March estimates.

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Expected Revisions to Colorado Nonfarm Payroll Jobs based on 2nd quarter 2023 QCEW data will be released Tuesday, November 21, 2023.

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Every month of the year other than February the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, in cooperation with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, releases estimates of Colorado nonfarm payroll jobs for the previous month based on results from a survey of business establishments. Estimates for Colorado are produced by the Bureau of Labor Statistics for total nonfarm payroll jobs and specific industry sectors or groups of sectors across the entire state, and for the seven metropolitan statistical areas.

In February of each year these survey based estimates are compared to and adjusted in a process called “benchmarking” based on administrative records available since the release of the survey estimates. The results of that comparison are released in March.

For instance, at the beginning of the 2024 calendar year Colorado nonfarm payroll jobs estimates for the 4th quarter of 2022 and all of 2023 will be benchmarked based on information available from the QCEW program for the 4th quarter of 2022 and the first three quarters of 2023. These updated estimates will be released in March 2024.

The source of these administrative records for the QCEW program are unemployment insurance reports Colorado employers are required to file quarterly with the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. Among other information, employers include the number of people employed at the firm for each month of the quarter for which the report is being filed. Although only firms with employees covered by the Colorado Unemployment Insurance program are required by state and federal law to submit these reports, this quarterly census of employment covers about 98 percent of all nonfarm payroll jobs and about 88 percent of total employment in Colorado.

Aggregated by industry, the QCEW data are more closely aligned with the definition of nonfarm payroll jobs than with total employment. This is because an individual holding more than one job is counted only once in the total employment estimate but multiple times in both QCEW and the nonfarm payroll jobs estimates. Total employment estimates are by place of residence while both QCEW and payroll jobs are by place of business.

Though the official nonfarm payroll jobs estimates are benchmarked only once a year, data from QCEW are available quarterly and, once available, can be compared to the official series to see by about how much the official statistics will be adjusted.

Resources Mentioned

Analysis of 2023 Q1 Expected Revisions to Colorado Nonfarm Payroll Jobs

800 Nonfarm Payroll Jobs Added in July;
Unemployment Rate Rises Slightly to 2.9 Percent

Household survey data

According to the survey of households, Colorado’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased one-tenth of a percentage point in July to 2.9 percent compared to the June rate of 2.8 percent. The number of unemployed individuals grew by 3,300 over the same time period to 95,000. Colorado’s unemployment rate has been below 3.0 percent for fifteen consecutive months and remains at prepandemic levels. The national unemployment rate decreased one-tenth of a percentage point to 3.5 percent from June to July.

Colorado’s labor force increased by 3,400 in July to 3,252,500. The share of Coloradans participating in the labor force remained at 68.7 percent in July, identical to the two months prior. The U.S. labor force participation rate was 62.6 percent in July and has remained at that level for five straight months.

Due to rounding, the number of individuals employed in Colorado was unchanged in July at 3,157,500, which represents 66.7 percent of the state’s 16+ population. Colorado’s employment-population ratio of 66.7 in July was one-tenth of percentage point lower compared to the June rate of 66.8 percent. The national employmentpopulation ratio grew one-tenth of a percentage point in July to 60.4 percent.

Establishment survey data

Employers in Colorado added 800 nonfarm payroll jobs from June to July for a total of 2,907,800 jobs, according to the survey of business establishments. Private sector payroll jobs decreased by 1,900, while government added 2,700 jobs.

June estimates were revised down to 2,907,000, and the over the month change from May to June was a gain of 1,800 rather than the originally estimated increase of 4,700 (monthly revisions are based on additional responses from businesses and government agencies since the last published estimates).

The private industry sector with significant job gains in July was professional and business services (≈2,600). Significant over the month private sector declines occurred in leisure and hospitality (≈3,500) and educational and health services (≈1,100).

Since July 2022, nonfarm payroll jobs have increased 38,800, with the private sector growing by 18,200 and government adding 20,600 jobs. The largest private sector job gains were in leisure and hospitality (≈18,000), professional and business services (≈8,900), educational and health services (≈2,800), and other services (≈2,800). During that same period financial activities (≈7,100), trade, transportation, and utilities (≈5,400), construction (≈3,000), and information (≈2,000) payroll jobs declined. Colorado’s rate of job growth over the past year is 1.4 percent, lagging the U.S. rate of 2.2 percent.

Over the year, the average workweek for all Colorado employees on private nonfarm payrolls increased from 33.1 to 33.5 hours, while average hourly earnings grew from $34.60 to $35.91, two dollars and seventeen cents more than the national average hourly earnings of $33.74.

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All Colorado estimates from the establishment and household surveys, including greater geographic detail, are available at: www.colmigateway.com. Estimates for all states and the nation are available at: www.bls.gov.

For data visualizations, visit public.tableau.com/app/profile/cdle.lmi.

The August 2023 Colorado Employment Situation will be released at 8:00 AM on Friday, September 15, 2023. The full schedule of release dates for calendar year 2023 estimates is available at www.colmigateway.com.

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Technical Notes

This release provides information on industry employment and labor force statistics for July 2023, the most current estimates available from the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. The reference period for the establishment and household surveys was the pay period or week that includes the 12th of the month.

The unemployment rate, labor force, labor force participation, total employment and the number of unemployed are based on a survey of households. The total employment estimate derived from this survey is intended to measure the number of people employed.

Nonfarm payroll jobs estimates are based on a survey of business establishments and government agencies, and are intended to measure the number of jobs, not the number of people employed. Other series based on this survey include private sector average weekly hours, average hourly earnings and average weekly earnings.

The business establishment survey covers about seven times the number of households surveyed and is therefore considered a more reliable indicator of economic conditions. Because the estimates are based on two separate surveys, one measuring jobs by worksite and the other measuring persons employed and unemployed by household, estimates based on these surveys may provide seemingly conflicting results.

Resources Mentioned

Supplemental InformationLabor Force Summary July 2023City Report July 2023County Report July 2023July 2023 Press Release

For Immediate Release
July 24, 2023
Sheena KadiCommunications Director & Public Information Officersheena.kadi@state.co.us303-349-8113

Over 500 Colorado Jobs Saved with almost $10 Million in Loans to Colorado Small Businesses; Round Two of Below-market Interest Rate Loan Applications is Open

Denver, Colorado: LAST WEEK: The Colorado State Treasurer Dave Young, the CLIMBER Loan Program, Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA), and the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) launched the second round of below-market interest rate loans for small businesses. 

“This continues to be a critical time for Colorado to prioritize saving jobs, inclusive financial growth, and long-term, wealth-building initiatives. The high costs of conventional borrowing practices can be exclusionary and prohibitive for many small businesses. shared Colorado State Treasurer Dave Young. “We also recognize that there is a long history of disparity toward low-income communities, Black and Brown folks, and women within the financial institution system. CLIMBER has now deployed nearly $10 million in loans to 49 small businesses across the state, saving more than 500  jobs.”

“CHFA is proud to manage the CLIMBER Loan Fund in partnership with the State of Colorado,” said Cris White, CHFA Executive Director and CEO. “We know that the economic impact of the pandemic was disproportionately shouldered by those who already faced economic disadvantages, and we are pleased to see that these funds are supporting a strong recovery for small businesses across the state.”

The CLIMBER (Colorado Loans to Increase Mainstreet Business Economic Recovery) Loan Fund is a statewide program that provides up to $250 million in working capital loans to Colorado

small businesses, promoting small business growth, saving jobs, and helping support the Colorado economy.

Small businesses with up to 99 employees may apply for working-capital loans between $10,000 and $500,000. Below-market interest rates and a one-year deferred payment option make the program a secure option for small businesses.

More information can be found at https://climber-colorado.com. 
 

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www.colorado.gov/treasury

For Immediate Release
7.20.2023
Sheena KadiCommunications Director & Public Information Officersheena.kadi@state.co.us303-349-8113

Colorado Treasurer Dave Young Helps School Districts With Cash Flow Shortages

Schools are able to make payroll for teachers and bus drivers

DENVER, COLORADO: Today, Colorado State Treasurer Dave Young announced the successful $507.5 million sale of the Colorado Series 2023A Education Tax Revenue Anticipation Notes (ETRANs) on behalf of the 24 participating public school districts across Colorado. 

“Our ability to provide interest-free loans to schools through the ETRANs program keeps schools open for our students, ensuring that districts throughout Colorado can meet their cash flow needs, protecting our hardworking teachers and incredible support staff,” said Colorado State Treasurer Dave Young, a former junior high math teacher.

ETRANs are issued at the start and midway through each fiscal year, funding the State’s Interest Free Education Loan program. Because property taxes are not collected until the spring, it isn’t unusual for school districts to have cash flow shortages in the fall and winter.  The legislature designed ETRANs to be an interest-free loan to meet those school district operational needs.

"Eagle County School District considers itself fortunate to have had access to this program.  Even with financial stability, we will have a deficit cash flow as early as October. ETRANS will enable us to pay our employees until property taxes are received in the spring and we appreciate the state's efforts to help." Sandy Farrell, Chief Operating Officer, Eagle County School District

“Based on increasing property tax valuation, the Lake County School District is projecting to be nearly, if not fully funded through local property tax collections in 2023-24. The District is further impacted by having one single entity accounting for approximately 40% of the total assessed valuation. ETRANs provides critical cash flow for our district to operate from July 1st through the first week in May (10 months) when a majority of property tax is collected,”  shared Lake County School District CFO, Paul Anderson, Chief Financial Officer.

"Summit County School District is very appreciative of the Colorado Department of the Treasury and their continued stewardship of the ETRANs program, which provides interest-free support from the state. Like many school districts, SSD is heavily funded by property taxes collected in the second half of our school year. The ETRANs program provides SSD with dependable cash flow throughout the year so that we can focus on our student's ongoing personal and academic success." Kara Drake, Chief Financial Officer, Summit School District

“For a school district that is funded about 70% from local share, this program allows us to better manage cash flows. Being able to participate in this program prevents the District from having to borrow funds and incur interest charges and therefore increasing the dollars available for student instruction.” Nikki Schmidt, Chief Financial Officer, Weld RE-4

The following districts participated in the Series 2023A Notes: 

Aspen School District RE-1Aurora School District (Arapahoe 28J)Boulder Valley School District RE-2Cherry Creek (Arapahoe 5)Denver School District 1Douglas County RE-1Eagle County RE-50East Grand School DistrictElizabeth School DistrictEnglewood (Arapahoe 1)Estes Park (Larimer R-3)Fairplay (Park RE-2)Fort Lupton (Weld RE-8)Gilcrest (Weld 1)Johnstown-Milliken (Weld RE-5J)Keenesburg (Weld RE-3J)Lake County (Leadville)Littleton (Arapahoe 6)Mapleton (Adams 1)Poudre (Larimer R-1)Summit County RE-1Telluride (San Miguel R-1)Thompson (Larimer R2-J)Windsor (Weld RE-4)

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www.colorado.gov/treasury

For Immediate Release
June 9, 2023
Sheena KadiCommunications Director & Public Information Officersheena.kadi@state.co.us303-349-8113

The Great Colorado Payback Reunites Owner with Lost Silver Coins from his Father

Denver, CO: TODAY: Colorado State Treasurer Dave Young reunited Skip Bailey with a safe deposit box full of mint-condition silver coins that he was separated from during a bank merger.

“Most unclaimed property is cold, hard cash,” Colorado State Treasurer Dave Young shared. “We also received safe deposit boxes that have gone dormant, and our dedicated team works diligently to reunite owners or heirs with the contents, as most tend to have sentimental value.”

“I thought I’d lost these forever,” Skip Bailey stated. “When I got the phone call that they had been found, I couldn’t believe it. I’m so grateful to The Great Colorado Payback for reuniting me with these.”

Last fiscal year, The Great Colorado Payback returned almost $50 million to nearly 55,000 claimants through our Unclaimed Property Division. To simplify the claims process, a pilot program which proactively returns funds was started, returning $4.1 million to 13,700 rightful owners without requiring additional paperwork for identification purposes. The average claim last year was $1,832. 

“Mr. Bailey’s box was reported to us in November of 2022. We immediately processed and inventoried the contents. The bank had included personal identifying information that allowed us to proactively reach out to Mr. Bailey,” explained Bianca Gardelli, Director of Unclaimed Property.  

Money or property turned over to the State Treasury for safekeeping is held for the owner or heir of the account and there are no time limits for filing a claim.

The Colorado State Treasurer currently maintains a list of over 1.7 million names of individuals. Corporations, municipalities, schools, nonprofits, hospitals, and small businesses are also listed among the many individuals whose property is available to be claimed, including over $1.2 billion in cold, hard cash. To date, the Great Colorado Payback has reunited over $640 million to their rightful owners.

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colorado.gov/treasury

colorado.findyourunclaimedproperty.com

LAKEWOOD - Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 — Colorado, the wait is over. 

The Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles is proud to announce the state’s 150th anniversary license plates are now available to purchase on Colorado Day, Aug. 1, 2023, until July 2027.

Coloradans can purchase either license plate online at myDMV.Colorado.gov or at a county-operated motor vehicle office. The license plates will cost $8.06 per pair, in addition to local fees.

The two license plates are based on the Historic Colorado Contest’s winning designs, which were determined in a statewide competition to design, then choose the winners in two divisions — Under 13 and Over 13. More than 34,000 Coloradans voted in the contest.

“Colorado’s awe-inspiring beauty was well reflected in the hundreds of great designs submitted by talented Colorado artists as we celebrate 150 years of Colorado history,” Gov. Jared Polis said during an event announcing the contest winners in March. "I am proud to congratulate the winners whose beautiful license plates will be on vehicles across the state starting this August."

13+ Division winning design and artist

Evan Griesheimer, of Denver, won the 13+ Division of the Historic Colorado Contest with 15,697 votes or 46.13% of the total. 

Griesheimer said the inspiration for his design came from simplicity and colors of the Colorado State Flag, the Rocky Mountains and mining.

U13 Division winning design and artist
 

Calista Blaschke, of Denver, won the U13 Division of the Historic Colorado Contest with 21,633 votes or 63.58% of the total.

She said the inspiration for her design included Pikes Peak, fortune hunters, the State Bird (Lark bunting) and the State Tree (Blue spruce).

About the Historic Colorado Contest

The Historic Colorado Contest launched Sept. 19, 2022 with the goal of helping Coloradans honor and make history through license plate design, and it closed with more than 300 entries from 216 entrants. Of the 216 entrants, 133 were 13-years-old or older and these contestants submitted 215 license plate designs. The other 82 were younger than 13, and these Coloradans entered 97 submissions.

Three finalists per division were selected by a committee that included motor vehicle administrators, artists and Gov. Polis, followed by a final, public vote on the top three designs. In addition to the two $1,000 grants, winners were awarded commemorative license plates during a reveal of the Historic Colorado Contest winning designs at the State Capitol. 

Coloradans can visit DMV.Colorado.gov/HistoricColorado for more information. 

The Historic Colorado Contest was a low-cost effort to honor Colorado’s history and celebrate the 150th anniversary with a commemorative license plate. 

Media Kit

13+ Winner: Evan Griesheimer, of Denver

Inspiration: The simplicity and colors of the Colorado State Flag, the Rocky Mountains and mining

U13 Winner: Calista Blaschke, of Denver

Inspiration: Pikes Peak, fortune hunters, the State Bird (Lark bunting) and the State Tree (Blue spruce)

Adams County residents can renew driver licenses, vehicle registrations in one building

WESTMINSTER, Monday, JULY 31, 2023 — Adams County residents now have a new way to conveniently and quickly DMV in one stop.
On Monday, the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) opened the state’s newest driver license office inside the Adams County Western Services Center at 12200 Pecos St. in Westminster.

This new office creates a DMV One Stop — where state driver license and I.D. services are within walking distance of county motor vehicle services. The new partnership is a game changer, offering Adams County residents a one-stop DMV experience while providing a new place for all Coloradans to get driver licenses and identification cards. 

In Colorado, the state DMV offers licensing and identification card (I.D.) services while each county provides motor vehicle services, such as registration and license plates. Driver license offices and motor vehicle offices are rarely offered in the same building unless both are operated by a county. (The driver license office will serve all Colorado residents, the Adams County Motor Vehicle Office only serves county residents.)

“We are always looking for ways to make our services more convenient to our customers,” Colorado DMV Senior Director Electra Bustle said during a ribbon-cutting ceremony. “Adams County Clerk and Recorder’s Office and the Colorado DMV share customers and it makes sense that we would partner to provide our mutual customers a One DMV experience.”

The new driver license office, which is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, replaces one formerly operated two miles away in Northglenn. The Northglenn location closed Thursday, July 13. 

“We are excited to partner with the state DMV,” Adams County Clerk & Recorder Josh Zygielbaum said. “By having both driver license and motor vehicle services available literally under one roof, we are building in convenience for busy Adams County residents.”

While the new State driver license office at Adams County Western Services Center will serve all Coloradans, Adams County residents can get all their motor vehicle needs at the county office which is just next door. Adams County residents will need to make an appointment for driver license services but do not need one when visiting the Adams County Motor Vehicle office. 

The new office will offer all standard driver license services, such as license and I.D. card renewals, endorsements, instruction permit tests and more.
This  office is just the latest service innovation from the DMV. Whether it’s online services like renewals and instruction permit tests, vehicle registrations in under two minutes at conveniently located MV Express Kiosks or pleasant and quick service in an office, the Colorado DMV is driven to serve Colorado.

The DMV is committed to providing services for all Coloradans where they are needed most, whether it’s in-office, online or on the go. Visit DMV.Colorado.gov/Anywhere to find out how you can DMV anywhere. Yes, anywhere. 

For information about Adams County Motor Vehicle services, please visit adcogov.org/motor-vehicle.

Adams County residents will be able to renew driver licenses, vehicle registrations in one building

LAKEWOOD, Monday, JULY 10, 2023 -- Adams County residents have reason to cheer because they will soon be able to DMV in one stop.

The Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is moving its Northglenn Driver License Office two miles west to an office suite inside the Adams County Western Services Center at 12200 Pecos St. in Westminster.

The new State driver license office at Adams County Western Services Center will offer licensing services starting Monday, July 17, and will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. After midday Thursday, July 13, the DMV will no longer operate at 11900 N. Washington St. in Northglenn.

The new office will offer all driver license services, such as license and identification (I.D.) card renewals, endorsements, instruction permit tests and more.

While the new driver license office will serve all Coloradans, its convenient location makes it a DMV One Stop for Adams County residents. A DMV One Stop is when state driver license and identification services are within walking distance of county motor vehicle services.

In Colorado, the state DMV offers licensing and I.D. card services while each county provides motor vehicle services, such as registration and license plates, to their residents. Driver license offices and motor vehicle offices are rarely offered in the same building unless both are operated by a county.

The move will provide tremendous service benefits to Adams County residents, while still ensuring all Coloradans have convenient access to licensing services.

This office is just the latest service innovation from the DMV. Whether it’s online services like renewals and instruction permit tests, vehicle registrations in under two minutes at conveniently located MV Express Kiosks or pleasant and quick service in an office, the Colorado DMV is driven to serve Colorado.

The DMV is committed to providing services for all Coloradans where they are needed most, whether it’s in-office, online or on the go. Visit DMV.Colorado.gov/Anywhere to find out how you can DMV anywhere. Yes, anywhere. 

For information about Adams County Motor Vehicle Services, please visit adcogov.org/motor-vehicle.
 

New model aims to enhance access and quality of primary care, improve health system

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
June 21, 2023 Media Contacts:

Department of Health Care Policy & Financing
Marc Williams
720-626-0801marc.williams@state.co.us

Division of Insurance
Vincent Plymell303-910-9614vincent.plymell@state.co.us

Denver, CO - Recently, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it will be partnering with Colorado to pilot a new primary care model to enhance access to and quality of primary care services. Access to high-quality primary care is associated with better health outcomes and equity for people and communities. Colorado’s collaboration with CMS on the Making Care Primary (MCP) Model will boost Colorado’s current efforts to strengthen the state’s primary care infrastructure, especially for safety-net and smaller or independent primary care organizations. 

Strong relationships with primary care teams are essential for patients’ overall health. Primary care clinicians provide preventive services, help manage chronic conditions, and coordinate care with other clinicians. By investing in behavioral and medical care integration and patient care support capabilities, primary care teams will be better equipped to address chronic disease, improve the health of Coloradans, and lessen the likelihood of avoidable emergency department visits and hospital care stays. This ultimately improves patient satisfaction and patient health, while saving Coloradans and our employers money on health care. This model will also help improve health equity and reduce health disparities across Colorado. 

“Money talks. We want to financially reward primary care doctors who improve care quality, help their patients better manage their health, and save Coloradans money on health care. That’s what this alternative payment methodology - or value based payment - does,” said Kim Bimestefer, executive director for the Department of Health Care Policy & Financing. “These more advanced payment methodologies also reward PCPs for reducing health disparities, which is a priority goal for our state.”

"Alternative Payment Models are a vital piece of the Division's work in improving health care quality, access and affordability for all Coloradans," said Colorado Insurance Commissioner Michael Conway. "Partnering with CMS on the Making Care Primary Model will improve the ability to measure health care quality, improve access to care and build on past successes to bring even more affordability to consumers." 

Colorado is one of several states, including Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, and Washington, where CMS will be testing this advanced primary care model. The model’s flexible multi-payer alignment strategy allows CMS to build on existing state innovations and for all patients served by participating primary care clinicians to benefit from improvements in care delivery, financial investments in primary care, and learning tools and supports.

Colorado has a strong history of multi-payer alignment, and our partnership with CMS has played an important role in that work. Many payers, including Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid Program) are shifting towards value-based care. MCP will build off of the current APM 2 payment model with the Department of  Health Care Policy & Financing and align with the Division of Insurance, as Colorado implements HB22-1325, Primary Care Alternative Payment Models. Aligning payment models across markets, including Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial insurance, is a crucial step in improving health care quality, access, and outcomes for all Coloradoans.

Primary care organizations in Colorado that are interested in participating can find more information about the MCP model and applications, which will open later this summer, on the MCP web page.

About the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing: The Department administers Health First Colorado (Colorado's Medicaid program), Child Health Plan Plus, and other programs for Coloradans who qualify. These health care programs now cover about one in four Coloradans. For more information about the Department, please visit hcpf.colorado.gov.

About the Colorado Division of Insurance: The Colorado Division of Insurance (DOI), part of the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), regulates the insurance industry and assists consumers and other stakeholders with insurance issues. Visit doi.colorado.gov for more information or call 303-894-7499 / toll free 800-930-3745.

DENVER, Friday, June 2, 2023 — Celebrating the Colorado Road and Community Safety Act’s (CO-RCSA) 10 year anniversary, Gov. Jared Polis and the Division of Motor Vehicles announced that all 36 State driver license offices now offer licensing services to undocumented residents on Friday at the History Colorado Center in Denver.

“Here in Colorado, we know that our immigrants strengthen the fabric of who we are,” Gov. Polis said. “With the bipartisan SB251, over 250,000 Coloradans have been able to get their driver licenses and insurance, making all of us safer on the roads and helping reduce automobile insurance rates for everyone and we are proud to continue building on this important work today and expand access to all DMV locations.” 

The bill, which was signed into law on June 5, 2013 by then Gov. John Hickenlooper, created a self-funded program that enabled undocumented residents and international students to legally obtain a Colorado driver license or identification card. 

“Ten years ago, we signed the Colorado Road and Community Safety Act into law to empower new Coloradans — like international students and immigrants — to drive their families to work, school, medical appointments and the supermarket,” Sen. Hickenlooper said from Washington, D.C. “Expanding where the program is offered will make our roads safer and cut red tape for folks working toward their American dream.”

Others in attendance agreed, and DMV Senior Director Electra Bustle said the legislation has made Colorado roads safer.

“The DMV’s mission is to provide motor vehicle, driver and identity services that promote public safety, trust and confidence, and having trained and licensed drivers on our roads is critical,” Bustle said. “This legislation provided an opportunity for all Coloradoans to get properly trained, credentialed and insured, and since 2013 the DMV has issued 252,396 driver licenses, ID cards and instruction permits under the CO-RCSA. We are also excited to expand this service to all of our State driver license offices making it more convenient for these customers.”

Looking back on the 10 year anniversary, many described the legislation’s impact on Colorado’s undocumented residents' daily lives as a game changer.

“Being able to obtain a driver license was a step toward greater security on our roads and in our communities,” said Evelyn Rodriguez, a community leader with Grupo Mayas Pueblo. “It has given me the confidence to drive my kids to school, to the doctor, to sports, and in my daily life. I was able to register my car to my own name and obtain car insurance and now I drive without fear.” 

Originally the DMV offered CO-RCSA services at just four driver license offices — Colorado Springs, Grand Junction, Lakewood and Lakewood Westgate, but has since added the services to all 36 DMV offices  across the state as well as DMV2GO this year. The most recent driver license offices to offer are Canon City, Delta, Lakewood, Meeker,  Salida and Steamboat Springs. All state driver license offices now offer CO-RCSA services. 

The DMV also announced a move to streamline the program’s nomenclature and better align terminology with other states. The DMV has started calling credentials issued under the CO-RCSA program as “standard” driver licenses and ID cards since they are not REAL ID compliant.

“As a member of the I Drive Coalition, a group of organizations and community leaders across the state that have been working to ensure that all Coloradans, regardless of status, have access to a license or ID, I am thrilled to be celebrating the 10th anniversary of the law and implementation of the standard license,” said Nancy Díaz, the founder of Lamar Unidos. “Today, over 200,000 people have managed to obtain their driver license or permit through this program and our streets and highways are safer. The work of the I Drive Coalition continues, now looking to improve the license program and ensure equity for all beneficiaries.”

Undocumented residents can schedule an appointment by calling 303-205-2335 or by visiting DMV.Colorado.gov/AppointmentScheduling. 

The DMV works closely with the I Drive Coalition, a collection of nonprofit organizations throughout the Centennial State, helping to ensure Coloradans seeking a standard license or ID card have the resources needed to be issued a credential. These nonprofit groups help schedule appointments free of charge and ensure applicants have the documents needed to start the licensing process. A list of these nonprofit organizations is at DMV.Colorado.gov/nonprofit-co-rcsa-partners. 

By expanding the number of offices offering CO-RCSA services, more Coloradans have better access to training and licensing services, helping to ensure all Colorado motorists are licensed and able to obtain motor vehicle insurance. This will help make driving safer for all Coloradans.

Visit DMV.Colorado.gov for more information on Colorado Road and Community Safety Act services.

The DMV is committed to providing services for all Coloradans where they are needed most, whether it’s in-office, online or on the go. Visit DMV.Colorado.gov/Anywhere to find out how you can DMV anywhere. Yes, anywhere. 

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