car on the road wiht motion blur background.

DENVER (AP) -- Cars without drivers could be possible on Colorado roads -- but first lawmakers have to change state law to make them legal.

The state Legislature is poised to do just that under a bill up for its first debate in a Colorado Senate committee this week. The Transportation Committee will consider whether Colorado should become at least the fifth state to change the law to specifically allow automated cars.

The driverless cars are developed in California by Google. Colorado's proposal would state that automated cars must still contain licensed drivers, and the cars must contain an "override switch" so they can be driven manually if needed. The "drivers" in automated cars would be allowed to text or type.