Colorado Senate Judiciary Committee To Vote On Driver's Licenses For Undocumented Immigrants

Colorado's Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to hear a proposal Wednesday that would grant drivers licenses for undocumented immigrants.

The "Colorado Road and Community Safety Act" is the second such bill to be introduced in the state's Legislature. A similar proposal last year, Initiative 52, failed to gain enough signatures to be on the 2012 ballot.

"We had three Republicans' support in the Senate on ASSET," Sen. Jessie Ulibarri (D-Commerce City), who is co-sponsoring the bill in the Senate, told 9News. "I believe we'll see that or more, I'm optimistic, in supporting the (driver's) license measure. I think there are different perspectives on this when you come from the eastern plains, the Western slope, when you come from the agricultural part of our state, you understand this issue differently."

Proponents of the bill say all drivers would benefit from the legislation because undocumented immigrants would have to learn the rules of the road and would be able to get insurance.

In order to qualify for the license, the holder would have to prove that they've been paying taxes and provide a valid passport, consular identification card or military identification from their country of origin. The licenses would also clearly state that the person is not a citizen of the United States.

Click here to read SB 251 bill in full.

"I think this is a step too far," Republican Sen. Greg Brophy told 7News, adding that he was worried the legislation would bring more undocumented immigrants to the state.

The bill is expected to pass out of the committee, made up of three Democrats and two Republicans.

New Mexico, Illinois, and Washington currently allow driver's licenses for those living in the country illegally.