Funding changes coming to motor vehicle offices

Part of an effort to try to reduce wait times at Colorado department of motor vehicle offices is being signed into law.

But it might mean drivers pay more eventually.

The initiative to overhaul operations at the department was outlined by Gov. John Hickenlooper in his annual State of the State address in January.

Lawmakers have budgeted for more than 50 additional workers at the department, and allocated funding to modernize its computer system. The department went through staffing cuts during recessions in the last decade.

The measure Hickenlooper is signing Thursday afternoon gives the DMV the authority to raise fees beginning in 2016 to support increased staffing. Lawmakers say the idea is to give customers a chance first to see improved results before possible fee increases.