A that provides driver’s licenses to people living in the country illegally was rejected Wednesday by a Senate committee.
would have expanded the existing immigrant licensing program from three offices to nine and hire 20 more employees to help resolve the backlog of applicants.
But the state Senate’s State, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee moved to indefinitely postpone voting on the legislation. While they left open the option of revisiting the bill, the legislative session ends May 11.
Proponents said the bill would result in more insured drivers while reducing the chance that undocumented drivers would flee a collision.
But Republican lawmakers, who control the Senate, have strongly pushed back against efforts to expand and improve upon the program.
A cut the license program’s original five locations until lawmakers struck a deal to operate offices in Denver, Grand Junction and Colorado Springs.
An estimated 150,000 residents in Colorado live in the country illegally. Applicants can for an appointment to get a license.
Last week, the state Senate approved a bipartisan measure to crack down on fraud in the program. Reports of scams targeting those desperate for a appointment to get the licenses .
Jesse Paul: 303-954-1733, jpaul@denverpost.com or @JesseAPaul
