A coalition of safety advocates has written to legislators in Colorado in support of HB26-1242, by Representatives Paschal and Jackson with Senator Roberts. This bill makes three important changes which will conform Colorado’s ignition interlock law to nationally recognized best practices:
- The bill closes a loophole in Colorado law that allows drivers with a first-time offense below .15 BAC to effectively wait out their suspension without getting an ignition interlock. If HB26-1242 passes, drivers in this category will have to complete their ignition interlock term before they can reinstate with an unrestricted license.
- The bill adopts the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) financial assistance model, providing easier accessibility and transparency to the affordability program. This includes raising the eligibility threshold to 150% of the federal poverty level and requiring providers to give a 50% discount on the monthly service fee to qualifying individuals.
- The bill allows a person whose privilege to drive has been revoked for refusing to comply with expressed consent to apply for early reinstatement with an interlock-restricted license. Currently, these drivers must wait two months. Eliminating the waiting period allows them to drive immediately with an ignition interlock.
Read the full letter here.