Is It Still Illegal to Smile in Your Colorado Driver’s License Photo?

If you’ve ever been told not to smile for your driver’s license photo in Colorado, you’re not alone. Until recently, the state had a policy discouraging toothy grins in official ID photos. But times have changed, and so have the rules. Now, smiling is perfectly legal—and you can even show those pearly whites.

The Surprising Question at a Fort Collins Restaurant

While ordering a beer at a restaurant in Fort Collins, I handed over my driver’s license to the server. Her reaction was unexpected: she was surprised to see me smiling in my photo. “How did you do that?!” she asked, clearly astonished. Her shock stemmed from a little-known fact—smiling for a driver’s license photo used to be against the rules in Colorado.

Why Smiling is Allowed Now

In 2022, Colorado updated its policy to allow residents to smile in their driver’s license photos. When I renewed my license in 2023, I was eager to take advantage of the new rule, which allows a more personal touch to your ID. Gone are the days of expressionless mugshots—now, you can add a bit of personality to your picture.

If you’ve been looking for an excuse to renew your license, this might be it. Just remember that your smile will be immortalized in black and white, so no need to stress about coffee-stained teeth like mine.

Why Smiling Was Previously Restricted

The exact reason behind Colorado’s no-smile rule is unclear, but we do know that small facial expressions, like a neutral smirk, were acceptable. Full-on toothy grins, however, were not allowed. It may have been a technical measure to ensure facial recognition software could function properly, or it might have just been one of those quirky laws that overstayed its welcome.

Colorado has a history of unusual regulations, like the fact that it’s technically illegal to borrow a vacuum cleaner in Denver or to bring a horse to the second story of your house. The no-smile policy may have simply been another outdated rule that finally got tossed.

So, if you’re updating your ID soon, feel free to flash a big, confident smile. It’s not just legal—it’s encouraged.