You Could Miss Your Flight If Your Colorado ID Doesn’t Have This One Thing
It’s not unusual for my mother to call me in the middle of the day. I try to check in with my parents at least once a day, since we live so far away from each other.
However, when you receive a frantic message from ANYONE saying “Call me ASAP. It’s important,” you’re bound to freak out a bit, right?
As I’m gearing up to call my mom, I’m thinking…
Who died?
Did our family house burn down?
Do I need to go to the hospital?
Turns out, it wasn’t necessarily an emergency, it was just my parents freaking out over whether or not I have a Real ID.
Colorado Travelers: Here’s Why You’ll Need a REAL ID in 2025
READ MORE: The Real ID Deadline is Real This Time — Everything You Need to Know
I'm flying out to Philadelphia for my sister's graduation this May, and my Mom feared that there is chance that my current driver's license might not be able to get me back home.
What Colorado Flyers Need to Know Before May 7th
Starting on May 7th, 2025 people within the United States will need some sort of REAL ID verification to enter federal buildings or to fly commercially.
You will need a REAL ID to board commercial flights within the U.S., access specific federal buildings, and to enter nuclear facilities.
Good news for Coloradoans, though!
Do You Already Have a REAL ID, Colorado? Here’s How to Tell
Driver's licenses for residents of the Centennial State have already been REAL ID compliant for a while now, according to the Colorado DMV. Colorado drivers licenses have had the tiny REAL ID verification star since 2012.
So, if you've gotten a drivers license anytime between 2013 and 2025 while living in state, then you should already have the credential.
Colorado Driver's Licenses Have Been REAL ID Compliant Since 2012
A report from the Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles confirmed that if you are a: US Citizen, Permanently Lawfully Present, Citizen of Freely Associated States or a CDL (Commercial Driver's License) Holder then you are already REAL ID Compliant.
Look for This Symbol on Your Colorado License to Be Sure
However, if your ID has a black banner on it, that is actually a "standard credential," meaning that this piece of identification cannot be used as a REAL ID and you cannot use it for "federal purposes."
You can still do the following without a REAL ID: drive, vote, buy alcohol or cigarettes, visit the post office, go to a hospital, access federal courts, and you can still apply for or receive federal benefits such as social security or veterans’ benefits.
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Colorado Travelers Should Avoid These Locations at All Costs
Gallery Credit: Matt Sparx
