New Bills Call for Jail Time for Drunk Driving in Colorado

Chronic CO DUI offenders to be required to spend time behind bars

Two state legislators have proposed separate bills that would increase the penalties for driving under the influence in Colorado. Under each piece of legislation, repeat offenders would be required to complete a mandatory jail sentence.

Rep. Claire Levy (D-Boulder) would like for second time Colorado DUI offenders to spend 10 days in jail and then be placed on 2 years supervised probation. A third or subsequent offense would result in 60 day jail term. During probation, offenders would be required to enroll in DUI education and alcohol/drug treatment.

Another goal of Levy’s bill would make sentencing for DUI in Colorado consistent across the state. Currently sentences can include in-home detention rather than time in county jail. Rep. Cory Gardner (R-Yuma) has introduced a bill requiring a second drunk driving offense in Colorado to be filed as a felony. A conviction would result in a jail term with the Colorado Department of Corrections. The authors consider the two bills similar in effort, with a focus on roadway safety. Both also call for education and treatment as part of the solution to CO drunk driving. According to the Colorado Human Service, such activities are effective in reducing recidivism.

Of concern is the financial impact of the measures on local economies and county jail budgets. The burden of costs associated with the incarceration of additional criminal offenders would fall on the county governments, not the state. Rep. Gardner has pledged to work with local sheriffs to find beds for those found guilty of DUI in Colorado, and to see if state funds can be made available.

Reps. Levy and Gardner say they are willing to work together to address the issue of chronic drunk driving in Colorado.

Have you been arrested for drunk driving in CO?