Law Targeting Unlicensed Drivers Causes Controversy & Concern

Last Edited: Thursday, 14 Aug 2008, 6:52 AM MDT
Created: Thursday, 14 Aug 2008, 6:45 AM MDT

DENVER (MyFOXColorado.com) - Denver voters passed Initiative 100 earlier this week, and it’s something that has raised a lot of controversy, questions and eyebrows. Proponents of the new law are now talking about taking it statewide.

It’s a citizen initiative that requires Denver police to impound cars driven by people who do not have a valid driver’s license. It specifically mentions illegal immigrants, since they cannot get a valid license in Colorado.

If someone who has a valid license is pulled over, but they do not have their license with them, that does not mean their car will be impounded. People in those cases will most likely get a ticket, but they will have three days to show proof that they have a valid license.

People in favor of the law say it is intended to keep uninsured, unlicensed drivers off of the road. People opposed to it have been clear from the start that they believe it’s simply a new law that unfairly targets illegal immigrants who can’t get licenses, and it will lead to more racial profiling.

Paul Lopez, Denver City Councilman from District 1, said the law does unfairly target Latino neighborhoods and communities of color. He also said it creates a drain on the city's resources.

Denver voters approved the ordinance by 54 percent to 46 percent.

Denver city officials don’t know how much it will cost to enforce the law. Mayor John Hickenlooper publicly opposed the law. He expressed concern about overflow at impound lots and wondered about other costs associated with implementation of the new law.

Other city officials such as deputy safety manager Mel Thompson said the city could lose revenue as a result of officers waiting for tows rather than issuing traffic tickets.

Because of the public opposition, proponents of Initiative 100 indicated they were a little surprised when it passed on Tuesday. “We get to raise our eyebrow a little bit,â€