Governor signs new Colorado laws targeting careless and impaired drivers

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) -Two new Colorado laws aimed at cracking down on careless and impaired driving were signed Thursday during a stop at the Colorado Springs Police Department.

One of the new laws gives district attorneys the option to charge negligent drivers who cause a fatal crash with a Class 5 felony. Supporters say the change closes a gap in state law that previously forced prosecutors to choose between a top-level misdemeanor or a lower-level felony charge in some cases.

Teri Bogel, whose husband was killed in a hit-and-run crash in 2019, said the previous penalties did not reflect the devastating impact reckless driving can have on families.

“A lot of times people may view it as only a cyclist or only a pedestrian,” Bogel said. “But we’re all vulnerable road users at some point.”

The governor also signed a second law focused on impaired driving prevention.

The measure requires first-time DUI offenders to install ignition interlock devices in their vehicles. The devices prevent a car from starting if the driver’s blood alcohol concentration is above prohibited levels.

The law also removes a previous two-month waiting period some DUI offenders faced before being able to apply for the devices.

Renee Lund, whose son was killed by a drunk driver in 2022, spoke in support of the legislation at Thursday’s signing event.

Speaking of the driver in her son’s case, Lund said she believes the new changes to Colorado’s DUI laws could help save lives in the future.

“With this new law, if he would have had that interlock system in his car, there’s a pretty good chance that my son would still be alive,” Lund said.

The new DUI law takes effect June 1, 2027.