DENVER - The intent is to take drivers who don't have licenses off the road, but opponents say it will also mean big bills for good citizens.

Voters in Lakewood and Denver will decide on the issue this fall when they vote on proposed vehicle impoundment initiatives.

A coalition of groups against Initiative 300 rallied on the steps of the Denver City and County Building on Monday. The measure would make it mandatory for police to impound the vehicles of drivers who cannot prove they have a license and it could cost the car's owner up to $2,700 to get it back.

"This takes police away from very important jobs that they should be doing, to sit for two hours waiting for a car to be impounded because someone doesn't have a license," Denver City Councilman Doug Linkhart said.

Opponents also say it creates unnecessary problems for innocent people, like someone who just forgot their wallet on the way to the gym. 

To keep from having their vehicle impounded, they have to have convincing corroborating identification, proof of insurance and a record of a valid driver's license in the Department of Motor Vehicles system. 

Because of the vague language in the initiative, it's not known exactly what identification is considered "convincing." 

Opponents say that means people who forgot their purses or wallet probably won't have other ways to prove their identification, so their cars would still get towed. 

Supporters say that's not the intent of the law and police would just issue a summons, instead of impounding the car, if they have reason to believe a driver has a valid license.

Supporters say it will cut down on accidents with uninsured illegalimmigrants and those who have had their licenses suspended or revoked.

"Writing them tickets doesn't do any good, that's already happened," Dan Hayes, an initiative proponent, said. "They've made a decision they're gonna drive anyway. And it's like carrying a loaded gun around. A car's a deadly weapon. Best thing to do is take it away from them."

Hayes is from Jefferson County and is leading the charge for the initiative.

Voters in Denver approved a similar initiative last year, but Hayes says it needs to be rewritten because officers aren't enforcing it.