State and federal laws generally prohibit the possession, use, manufacture, or distribution of a false or fake driver’s license, identification card, military ID, passport, state or federal employee identification card, or other identification documents (fake ID). The legal definition of a fake ID is generally an ID that has been (1) altered, (2) falsified, (3) forged, (4) duplicated, (5) reproduced, or (6) counterfeited.

In many states, possession of a fake ID may be charged as a misdemeanor or as a felony, with fines, community service, probation, suspension of driver’s license, and possible jail time. Some colleges and universities impose additional penalties on students who are convicted of possessing a fake ID—including dismissal from the college or university. And fraud in connection with identification documents may also be a federal crime. See 18 U.S. Code §1028.

Fake ID laws are usually located in a state’s statutes—in the penal or criminal code, the alcoholic beverage code, or the transportation or motor vehicle code.

In Colorado, the possession, use, manufacture, or distribution of a fake ID is illegal and can lead to serious legal consequences. Under Colorado Revised Statutes, such activities can be charged as misdemeanors or felonies, depending on the circumstances. Penalties for possessing or using a fake ID can include fines, community service, probation, suspension of the individual's driver's license, and even jail time. Additionally, students may face disciplinary actions from their educational institutions, which could include dismissal. At the federal level, fraudulent activities related to identification documents are criminalized under 18 U.S. Code §1028, which can lead to even more severe penalties, including federal charges. It is important for individuals to understand that handling fake IDs in any manner is a serious offense in Colorado and at the federal level.