Colorado Law Restricts Employer Retention of ID Documents During I-9 Verification

A 2026 Colorado law limits how long employers may hold government-issued IDs during hiring.

HR Solution Journal News Desk

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Colorado employers must update Form I-9 procedures under HB 26-1283, effective June 3, 2026. The law prohibits employers from demanding or retaining government-issued identification cards beyond what is necessary for employment eligibility verification. Employers may temporarily possess original IDs during I-9 completion but must return them promptly and never retain them longer than 10 hours. Copies may be kept in employment records. The law also requires employers to provide written notice of these restrictions during verification, with translations when an employee's primary language is known. HR teams should update onboarding workflows, train I-9 compliance staff, and consult employment counsel to implement compliant notice procedures.

Source: HR Daily Advisor. Original announcement: October 02, 2026.