An operating device (1) for driving a multicolored light source (2) is specified, comprising a touch-sensitive operating element (10), which is designed to be operated by means of touch by a user, a proximity switch (11), which is designed to switch on the touch-sensitive operating element (10) when the user approaches the touch-sensitive operating element (10), and a control device (12), which is designed to control a multicolored light source (2), wherein the control device (12) is designed to control the multicolored light source (2) with a predetermined number of colors and brightnesses, and the touch-sensitive operating element (10) is designed to select a color and a brightness from the predetermined number of colors and brightnesses depending on the touch by the user.