Colorado § 18-5-903.5 - Criminal possession of an identification document - bias-motivated crime enforcement - civil actions.
Full text of Colorado Colorado Revised Statutes § 18-5-903.5 — Criminal possession of an identification document - bias-motivated crime enforcement - civil actions., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 18-5-903.5. Criminal possession of an identification document - bias-motivated crime enforcement - civil actions.
(1) A person commits criminal possession of an identification document if the person knowingly confiscates or possesses or controls another person's actual driver's license, actual government-issued identification card, actual social security card, or actual passport without permission or lawful authority.
(2) (a) Except as described in section 18-9-121, criminal possession of one or more identification documents issued to the same individual is a class 2 misdemeanor.
(b) Criminal possession of two or more identification documents, of which at least two are issued to different persons, is a class 6 felony.
(3) An individual who is harmed by a person's commission of the offense described in this section may:
(a) Request that the court order the person to return the identification document immediately; and
(b) Bring a civil action to recover any damages caused by the person's commission of the offense.
Source: L. 2009: Entire section added, (SB 09-093), ch. 326, p. 1738, § 2, effective July 1, 2011. L. 2021: (2)(a) amended, (SB 21-271), ch. 462, p. 3191, § 255, effective March 1, 2022. L. 2026: (1) and (2)(a) amended and (3) added, (HB 26-1283), ch. 363, p. 2180, § 3, effective June 3.
Editor's note: Section 5 of chapter 363 (HB 26-1283), Session Laws of Colorado 2026, provides that the act changing this section applies to conduct occurring on or after June 3, 2026.
Cross references: For the legislative declaration in HB 26-1283, see section 1 of chapter 363, Session Laws of Colorado 2026.
Source: official Colorado text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Colorado § 18-5-903.5
What does Colorado Revised Statutes § 18-5-903.5 cover?
Section 18-5-903.5 ("Criminal possession of an identification document - bias-motivated crime enforcement - civil actions.") 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 § 18-5-903.5?
A common citation format is "Colorado Revised Statutes § 18-5-903.5" (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 § 18-5-903.5 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.