Colorado State Archives
Executive Orders from the Administration of Governor Bill Owens 1999-2005
| FOR RELEASE: Tues. Feb. 2, 1999 |
CONTACT: Dick Wadhams 303/866-6324 Amy Jewett Sampson 303/866-6323 |
DENVER - Governor Bill Owens called on the Colorado Legislature today to prevent the sale of more than 5 million drivers' license photos to Image Data, a private company based in New Hampshire.
"This is an issue about protecting Coloradans privacy, and I am very optimistic that the Legislature will pass a bill to prevent the sale of Colorado drivers' license photos," said Gov. Owens.
Senator Tony Grampsas, R-Evergreen, will be the bill's sponsor. Senator Grampsas was the sponsor of the 1997 bill allowing the sale of drivers' license photos for fraud prevention purposes only.
Currently, 50,000 drivers' license photos have already been sent to Image Data. However, Owens said he plans on asking the company for them to be returned to Colorado as required by the contract.
A provision in the company's contract says the agreement is null and void if the Legislature decides to forbid the state to sell this type of information. Personal information has been for sale by the State of Colorado for many years.
What is unique about the 1997 law is that it allows for photos to be sold as well. Owens said he will work with the Legislature to evaluate whether the sale of other types of personal information should be restricted.
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