DENVER — A program to grant driver’s licenses to an estimated 150,000 undocumented workers in Colorado began Tuesday in Denver and will at two other Department of Motor Vehicle locations on June 1, but already it is facing problems.
Those looking to get a license must make an appointment before they are allowed to step foot into a DMV office. Many who tried Tuesday got busy signals or error messages on the Colorado Department of Revenue’s website.
“I have not been successful on the phone or online,” said Alba Gomez, who has been living in the United States for 12 years.
The licenses are labeled as an invalid proof of citizenship, but Gomez said the program will force those who are undocumented to get a vision and driver’s test, along with auto insurance.
A Department of Revenue spokesman sent FOX31 Denver an e-mail that read: “There is a high demand for SB 251 appointments and customers will have to be patient, whether they are using the website or calling the phone number (303-205-2335). We advise that customers using the web site press the refresh button and not back out of the window or close the window they are in. If customers are calling the phone number, we advise they continue to try. We apologize for any inconvenience and ask the public to continue making attempts for an appointment.”
The state will allow 31 people at each location to have an appointment each day the DMV is open for business.
The locations:
*Colorado Springs: 2447 N. Union Blvd.
Denver: 1865 W. Mississippi Ave., Suite C
*Grand Junction: 222 S. Sixth St. #111