Everything you Need
To Verify and Control
Colorado Identity
Documents
Our printed I.D. Checking Guides and online versions are used by
DMVs, government agencies at all levels, and businesses.
Check Colorado Drivers Licenses & IDs
The Need for Accurate ID Verification in Colorado
Colorado is experiencing increased concerns around fraudulent identification, both on the streets and inside stores, offices, restaurants, and more. With the proliferation of counterfeit IDs, businesses and institutions across the state are feeling the pressure. These fake IDs are frequently used for underage alcohol purchases, financial scams, and misrepresentation at secure facilities. This is why having a trusted resource like the I.D. Checking Guide is so important.
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From downtown Denver to rural communities, proper ID verification is a statewide necessity. Whether it's a liquor store checking age, a bank confirming identity, or a security checkpoint vetting credentials, the risk of accepting a fake ID is real—and the consequences can be serious.
Ensuring an ID is authentic and corresponds to the person presenting it isn't just good practice—it's required by law in many sectors. Given the potential impact on business reputation, legal liability, and financial security, using the right ID verification tools is non-negotiable.
How the I.D. Checking Guide Supports Colorado Professionals
Modern counterfeiters can produce IDs that appear legitimate at a glance. But even the best fake often fails when compared to the detailed specifications found in the I.D. Checking Guide. Our guide gives users the ability to compare ID cards visually and spot missing or flawed security elements.
By showing actual-size images and pointing out key security features—from raised text to ghost images—the Guide makes it easier to distinguish between real and fake identification. This not only protects your operation but helps uphold Colorado's legal standards.
What the Guide Helps You Verify
Compare the ID you need to authenticate with the details provided in the Guide:
- Minor's license: Card orientation (often vertical), color, wording, and location of dates driver will turn 18 or 21.
- Description: Physical characteristics and appearance of the license and any variations, such as the commercial DL, are described.
- Security Features: Images of security features such as microprinting, holograms, and UV features are clearly described.
- Number: The issuing agency's license number format—including letter and number counts, as well as spacing—is explained.
- Term: The length of time the license remains valid after issuance or renewal is described.
- State-Issued IDs: Every Colorado ID and license format is documented and explained—along with samples from all 50 states and Canada.
Understanding the Types of Fake IDs in Use
Fraudsters use a range of deceptive methods to bypass ID checks. The I.D. Checking Guide prepares users to detect:
- Altered or Borrowed IDs: Often used by minors attempting to gain access to alcohol or clubs. The Guide helps verify physical traits and expiration dates.
- Look-Alike Forgeries: These mimic design elements but fail to replicate underlying security features—such as tactile elements or ultraviolet features.
Industries in Colorado That Rely on the I.D. Checking Guide
Law Enforcement
From DUI stops to fraud investigations, officers need fast, accurate ID checks to support public safety.
Financial Institutions
Banks and credit unions use the Guide to prevent account fraud and verify the identity of new clients.
Retail and Hospitality
Restaurants, bars, and dispensaries face steep fines for serving underage customers. The Guide helps ensure compliance with state laws.
Government Agencies
Organizations issuing permits, handling benefits, or verifying eligibility depend on secure ID validation.
Hiring Departments
Verifying IDs helps HR departments confirm employees' legal work authorization and that their information is accurate.
Alcohol Sales & Service Guidelines for Colorado
-Minimum age to consume: 21 -Minimum age to serve: 18 -Minimum age to bartend: 18 -A manager or supervisor must be present when an underage person is serving or dispensing alcoholic beverages. -Server/seller alcohol training required.
Alcohol retailers may seize apparently false IDs without fear of prosecution even if the identification is valid.
An alcohol retailer has the authority to detain a minor suspected of using a false ID to purchase alcohol.
A person under 21 may not purchase alcoholic beverages as part of a law enforcement action.
Penalties for serving or selling to a minor: In Colorado, selling or giving alcohol to someone under 21 is a class 2 misdemeanor, and penalties can include:
- Up to 18 months in jail
- Fines of up to $5,000
- A permanent criminal record
- Loss of liquor license for business owners
- Job loss
- Probation
- Community service
Other related charges include: Contributing to a minor's delinquency, Underage drinking and driving, Minor in possession of alcohol or marijuana, and Unlawful acts with a false ID.
Some recommend that liquor-licensed establishments in Colorado have an ID checking guide and TIPS training.
FAQs About Spotting Fake Colorado IDs
Why is ID verification so important in Colorado?
Colorado's mix of tourism, nightlife, and growing business sectors creates numerous points where ID verification is crucial. Whether preventing underage access or stopping identity theft, accurate checks help keep communities safe and businesses compliant.
How does the I.D. Checking Guide help users recognize fake IDs?
The Guide includes full-color samples and descriptions for every U.S. state and Canadian province. It pinpoints the exact features to look for—like security laminates, UV patterns, and visual alignment—making it easier to spot forgeries.
Who should be using the I.D. Checking Guide in Colorado?
Anyone responsible for checking IDs—including bartenders, bouncers, bank employees, police officers, HR professionals, and agency staff—will benefit from having this trusted resource at their fingertips.
What happens if a business in Colorado serves alcohol to a minor?
Serving alcohol to an underage person can lead to significant fines, license suspension, or even criminal charges. In Colorado, these penalties are especially harsh for repeat offenses. That's why having a strong ID verification process is a business essential.
Can the Guide help identify borrowed IDs?
Yes. By comparing the presenter's physical appearance against the ID and reviewing the security features, users can catch mismatches that point to borrowed or altered IDs—often the go-to tactic for underage users.
Defend Your Business with Trusted ID Verification Tools
Colorado businesses and agencies face growing threats from the persistence of fake IDs. Without a reliable way to verify authenticity, the risk of fraud, legal trouble, and public safety issues increases dramatically.
The I.D. Checking Guide helps your team stay one step ahead. Whether you're reviewing an out-of-state license or checking the latest Colorado design, our guide gives you what you need to make informed decisions.
Protect your business. Empower your team.
Order the I.D. Checking Guide today and take advantage of bulk pricing for teamwide access. Printed and digital formats are available, both trusted for more than 50 years to stop ID fraud.
Let your staff work with confidence—because when ID verification matters, you need the guide professionals trust.
How to Spot a Fake Colorado ID
For law enforcement officers, bank tellers, car rental agents, human resources professionals and others who must verify ID in a professional capacity, the recent surge in fake IDs is challenging. The liability and losses that result from accepting a fake ID are large. The I.D. Checking Guide assists in the ID verification process by showing what an actual, valid ID looks like at full-size, and highlights the details of the licenses, making it much easier to spot the fraud. Before approving an expensive car rental, opening a new bank account or hiring a new employee, make sure the driver’s license or ID card has the correct numbering, UV, microprint, ghost images, expiration, and other details that counterfeiters often miss.
Markets Served
Financial Services
Alcohol Control
Government
Law Enforcement
What the I.D. Checking Guide Includes:
- A full page or more for each U.S. state and Canadian province, showing driver’s licenses and ID cards.
- Security image information for ghost images, laser perforation, microprint, UV and other validation details.
- Explanation of what the proper alphanumeric sequencing of a Colorado ID or Driver’s License should be (how many letters, numbers, etc.).
- U.S. Federal documents including immigration, military ID, Visas and passport cards.
- “How to check driver’s licenses” techniques for training.