Colorado § 42-2-309 - Unlawful acts.

Full text of Colorado Colorado Revised Statutes § 42-2-309 — Unlawful acts., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 42-2-309. Unlawful acts.

(1) It is unlawful for any person:

(a) To display, cause or permit to be displayed, or have in that person's possession any surrendered, fictitious, fraudulently altered, or fraudulently obtained identification card;

(b) To lend that person's identification card to any other person or knowingly permit the use thereof by another;

(c) To display or represent any identification card not issued to that person as being that person's card;

(d) To permit any unlawful use of an identification card issued to that person;

(e) To do any act forbidden or fail to perform any act required by this part 3, which would not include use of such card after the expiration date;

(f) To photograph, photostat, duplicate, or in any way reproduce any identification card or facsimile thereof in such a manner that it could be mistaken for a valid license, or to display or have in that person's possession any such photograph, photostat, duplicate, reproduction, or facsimile unless authorized by law;

(g) To photograph, photostat, duplicate, or in any way produce any identification card as defined in section 42-2-301 (2), or facsimile thereof, unless authorized by law, in such a manner that it could be mistaken for a valid identification card or to display or possess any such photograph, photostat, duplicate, production, or facsimile;

(h) To photograph, photostat, duplicate, or in any way reproduce any identification card or facsimile thereof for the purpose of distribution, resale, reuse, or manipulation of the data or images contained in such identification card unless authorized by the department or otherwise authorized by law.

(2) (a) Notwithstanding section 42-2-310, a person who violates subsection (1)(a) or (1)(e) of this section commits a class 2 misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished as provided in section 18-1.3-501.

(b) A person who violates subsection (1)(b), (1)(c), (1)(d), (1)(f), (1)(g), or (1)(h) of this section commits a petty offense and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished as provided in section 18-1.3-503.

Source: L. 94: (1)(g) added, p. 495, § 1, effective March 31; entire title amended with relocations, p. 2162, § 1, effective January 1, 1995. L. 97: (1)(h) added, p. 355, § 3, effective August 6. L. 2021: (2) added, (SB 21-271), ch. 462, p. 3302, § 713, effective March 1, 2022.

Editor's note: (1) This section is similar to former § 42-2-409 as it existed prior to 1994.

(2) Subsection (1)(g) enacted by Senate Bill 94-012 was harmonized with Senate Bill 94-001.

Source: official Colorado text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Colorado § 42-2-309

What does Colorado Revised Statutes § 42-2-309 cover?

Section 42-2-309 ("Unlawful acts.") is part of the Colorado Revised Statutes, the codified statutory law of Colorado. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Colorado § 42-2-309?

A common citation format is "Colorado Revised Statutes § 42-2-309" (Colorado). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Colorado law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Colorado official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Colorado attorney.

How does Colorado § 42-2-309 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Colorado can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Colorado.