Published by The Denver Post on March 1, 2021. The original article can be found here.

After more than 400 entries, a new Colorado driver’s license design was chosen Monday after more than 55,000 Coloradans placed their votes.

Glenwood Springs resident Matt Nunez’s design will be featured on the front of the license, while 19-year-old Wellington resident Gabriel Dupon’s will be displayed on the back.

“The more I learn of the stories of Coloradans across our state, I always feel the sense of pride they have in calling Colorado their home,” said Gov. Jared Polis. “This contest, these new driver’s licenses are an extension of that pride.”

Nunez’s winning photo features Mount Sneffels, located west of Ouray and north of Telluride.

Nunez, 26, said that he is a part-time photographer, taking photos in his spare time, but the final 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.

Dupon’s photo submission features Sprague Lake in the Rocky Mountain National Park. Dupon said that he wanted to capture the lake in a new way though showing people what they can’t see.

“This photo definitely displays iconic Colorado, but I would also say it conveys Colorado authentically.”

The contest saw a total of 280 front-side submissions and 127 back-side designs from 119 artists.

The new license is expected to release this fall.

“While this last year has been challenging for all of us … this contest has certainly been a bright spot for so many people,” Polis said.

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