After more than 400 entries, a new Colorado driver’s license design has been chosen after more than 55,000 Coloradans placed their vote. The Iconic Colorado contest launched in August of 2020. The contest received 407 submissions (280 front-side entries, 127 back-side entries) from 119 submitters. Three finalists were selected by a committee that included motor vehicle administrators, artists and Governor Polis. “The more I learn of the stories of Coloradons across our state, I always feel the sense of pride they have in calling Colorado their home,” said Polis. “This contest, these new driver’s licenses are an extension of that pride.” The public voted on the top three designs. In addition to the two grants, winners will be featured in all of the DMV’s relevant media releases as well as having their name featured on all Colorado identification credentials.
Front of Colorado License Entry Winner
Matt Nunez, 26, placed first for front of license entries with his Mount Sneffels entry. He is a fifth-generation Coloradan from Colorado Springs. He comes from a long line of family members in military and government service, including his late grandfather, Joe Nunez, who served in the State legislature. Nunez spent his childhood abroad and across the U.S. before returning to Colorado after college. He began taking photos in high school and favors landscape photography after spending summers in Colorado during college. He works as an economic development professional for the city of Glenwood Springs. Nunez said the final entry product was a “labor of love,” as it took months to develop the photo. “I am a proud Western Slope resident and although it’s not Hanging Lake, which is our local crown jewel, I’m glad that I was able to help make western Colorado represented on our driver’s license,” Nunez said. Nunez’s work can be found on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Back of Colorado License Entry Winner
Gabriel Dupon’s submission features Sprague Lake located in the Rocky Mountains. Dupon is 19 and from Wellington. He is a Colorado native who loves to be creative and make the unknown extraordinary. He does this by taking pictures of the beauty that surrounds him and using it to inspire others with his work. Dupon runs his own photography business which does primarily portrait and event photography. Dupon also enjoys the many outdoor activities Colorado has to offer such as alpine skiing and rock climbing. Dupon said that he wanted to capture the lake in a new way and show people what they can’t see. Dupon says “This photo definitely displays iconic Colorado, but I would also say it conveys Colorado authentically.”
Colorado License Runner Ups
Fred Lord began developing photography at age 12. After 14 years of mountain living he and his wife have retired to Northern Colorado. Jenn Cunningham, of Morrison, Colorado, is a fine artist who typically works in acrylics. She is inspired by the wonders of nature and wonderful animals. Jenn’s work can be found on Facebook, Instagram and Etsy. All of the entries really showed the beauty of Colorado and the wonderful things about the landscape and wildlife. “While this last year has been challenging for all of us in Colorado … This contest has certainly been a bright spot for so many people,” Governor Polis said. The new Colorado license designs will be released in fall of 2021. The photos look a little different when they are on the license because of the many security features from the DMV that protect against fraud and identity theft. Artwork will be screened down to 35% so elements like mountains, trees or birds may not print as spectacularly as they look in the original design but the licenses will show beautiful and authentic Colorado landscape.
What do you think about the new Colorado license designs?
Written by: Erinn Malloy
