DENVER (AP) — The head of the U.S. Department of Transportation on Monday threatened to withhold $24 million in federal funding from Colorado over what he called a slow response to a serious violation of federal commercial driver's license rules.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy pointed to a nationwide audit in October that found that about 22% of business licenses Colorado issues to immigrants were issued illegally, many to Mexican citizens – a practice prohibited by federal law.
Duffy accused Colorado of being “slow moving” on the necessary cleanup of those licenses. He said the state failed to conduct full audits, provide full records of affected drivers or revoke invalid credentials despite being notified of the non-compliance.
The transportation secretary said Colorado can't pick and choose which federal rules it follows, especially when drivers are at risk.
“Every day that passes is another day that unqualified and unvetted foreign truckers put the safety of you and your family at risk,” Duffy said in a statement.
In addition to Duffy's ultimatum, he also noted that the Department of Transportation has the authority to decertify Colorado's entire CDL program if the state does not take swift action.
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis' office did not immediately respond to emailed questions about the federal allegations or potential public safety concerns.
Polis, a two-term Democrat, has been at odds with the Trump administration in recent months. Tensions escalated most recently over the weekend when the Trump administration disaster declaration requests denied following bushfires and floods earlier this year. Last week, Polis also criticized the administration's plans dismantle the federal climate research laboratory is located in the state.
The Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles has suspended the issuance and renewal of temporary nonresident CDLs and commercial learner permits indefinitely, The Denver Post reported last week. This pause is expected to continue until all such licenses are reviewed to ensure compliance with federal regulations.
Duffy is threatening federal highway funding in other states as well, trying to make sure truck and bus drivers have the right to transport passengers or 80,000 pounds (36,000 kg) of cargo on highways.
New York became the fourth state led by a Democratic governor to be publicly accused earlier this month. Questions have also been raised about such practices in California, Pennsylvania and Minnesota.
